3 Important Tips For Caring For Your Child's Feet
Foot pain and complications can make walking and doing everyday tasks difficult. However, for young children, foot problems can lead to more serious, long-term complications because their feet are still developing. Check out these three important tips for caring for your child's feet.
Get to Know Your Kid's Feet
The most important tip is to get to know your child's feet from the moment they are born. Getting to know what is normal for your child's feet will help you identify abnormalities, such as an abnormal gait. Most children walk awkwardly, but they grow out of it. By fully knowing your child's feet, you'll be able to spot what's a normal awkward walk and what may be cause for alarm. It will also help you spot when your child begins to walk more like older children. If your child's gait doesn't seem to be getting better, you'll need to see a podiatrist to check for potential developmental problems that need to be corrected early to prevent long-term difficulties or even disabilities.
Choose Shoes That Fit Properly
Wearing a shoe that doesn't fit properly is annoying, and can lead to injury or pain. However, for developing bodies, a shoe that doesn't fit can affect the way the foot grows, increasing the risk of chronic problems in the future. To tell if your child's shoe fits properly, watch where it bends. If it bends closer to the toe, it should be fine, but if it bends in the middle, the shoe may be too big. When your child is a toddler, try to avoid putting shoes on them even when they are walking around the house. This ensures the foot develops properly while also strengthening the foot.
Keep Toenails Trimmed Properly
Many people may not realize there is a proper way to cut toenails, and it's especially important to do so for children. While you may cut your toenails as short as possible, that actually increases the risk of ingrown toenails or infection. Similarly, letting your child's toenails get too long can increase the chance of complications because the nail may bend or be hindered by the shoe. You should keep your child's toenails level with the tip of the toe. This ensures the nail isn't protruding further than the toe, causing the shoes to feel too small, but it also prevents cutting the nail painfully short on accident.
You have a lot to worry about when it comes to your child's health, including their feet. By following these three tips, you can help protect your child's foot and foot development. If you believe your child may be developing a foot condition or if you want more information about foot care for children, contact a podiatrist in your area today. For more information, contact a company like Carolina Foot & Ankle Specialists.