When it comes to teaching children about taking care of their bodies, parents do their best. They emphasize a balanced diet, good hygiene and a full night of sleep. But no one can do it all, and there is one particular area that is often forgotten: foot care for kids.
Do Children Really Need Foot Care?
We tend to think of foot problems as something only adults experience, and even then, typically the realm of older adults. However, even though your kid’s feet don’t have as many miles on them as yours, they still need to be treated well and monitored for problems.
Foot problems don’t discriminate based on age. Most foot ailments that impact adults can also affect children.
Children are susceptible to the same foot problems as adults are, including flat feet, ingrown toenails and injuries from playing sports. And unlike adults, children may struggle to communicate or identify these problems without the help of a podiatrist.
Pediatric Foot Care
Podiatrists can work with patients of all ages, though you should ensure the one you select has plenty of experience with kids and a good demeanor for working with them. Just like your kids see the pediatrician for a yearly checkup, they should see a podiatrist once a year. During this visit, the doctor will look for common pediatric foot conditions, such as:
- Irregularities of the foot arch
- Sprains and other injuries
- Toes that point inward or outward while walking
- Toe walking
In addition to the yearly visit, you should have your children examined any time they complain of foot or ankle pain. While it is easy to assume these are just growing pains and nothing to worry about, it is best to rule out a more serious problem.
For more information or to schedule a pediatric foot care visit, contact Shady Grove Podiatry at 301-948-2995 or reach out using our contact form.
