Many adult foot problems, like other bodily ills, often have their origins in childhood and can also be present at birth. Periodic professional attention and regular footcare, can minimise these problems later in life.

 

Neglecting foot care, invites problems in other areas of a child or adults health, including back and leg pain. There can also be undesirable personality effects such as a youngster with troublesome feet may walk awkwardly and have a poor posture. As a result the growing child may become shy, introverted and avoid sports and social functions too.

 

Remember that lack of complaints from children, does not mean that there is not a problem. The bones of growing feet are so flexible that they can be twisted and distorted without the child being aware of it.

 

Walking is the best of all foot exercises and walking patterns should be carefully observed. Does the child walk with their toe in or out? Do they have knocked knees or other gait abnormalities. These problems can be corrected if they are detected early enough.

 

Going barefoot is a healthy activity for children under the right conditions. However walking barefoot on dirty pavements or roads, exposes children’s feet to the dangers of infection through accidental cuts and breaks in the skin.

 

Another potential problem in children is plantar warts, a condition caused by a virus which invades the sole of the foot through cuts and damage to the skin. These require protective treatment and can keep children away from school and other activities

 

Be careful about applying home remedies to children’s feet as preparations strong enough to kill certain funguses can also harm the delicate skin.

 

Contact us as your local foot health specialists for more advice and help.