As parents, our number one priority is ensuring the well-being and happiness of our children. There is an abundance of things to be concerned about, ranging from sprained knees to sudden rapid weight gain. Although, have you ever examined your kid’s feet more closely? Their job is tough, and they need special care at times, as they carry your child through all of life’s experiences. Although it’s not always easy to see signs of foot issues in youngsters, being vigilant may help keep your child’s feet healthy and pain-free.
Children, particularly those in their early years, often have flat feet. If you see a child without an arch while they are toddling about, it’s OK; some children’s arches don’t completely develop until they are around six years old. It may be necessary to seek the advice of a child podiatrist in West Auckland if your kid’s flat feet persist throughout their growth or if they express discomfort in their feet, ankles, or legs. Additional concerns, including misalignment or pain when exercising, might develop as a result of flat feet.
Although therapy is usually unnecessary for flat feet, it is important to closely monitor your child’s gait. Prompt action is required in the event that you see any unusual patterns, such as the inward rolling of their feet. Taking care of their feet is as important as taking care of their teeth or eyes, and it’s far simpler to fix little problems than major ones.
While it’s cute when your kid walks on tiptoe, a pattern of this behaviour might indicate a more serious problem. While it may be a habit for some toddlers and preschoolers to walk on their toes, this behaviour that continues beyond the age of three may be a sign of Achilles tendonitis or a neurological disorder.
Though it may not be cause for immediate concern, toe walking is something to keep an eye on. A child podiatrist in West Auckland can help you decide whether your kid’s hyperactivity is a passing phase or if you should take them in for evaluation. While physical therapy and stretching might alleviate some symptoms, surgery may be necessary in really unusual circumstances.
The ingrown toenail, that painful nuisance. These may be excruciatingly unpleasant for adults, but children are just as vulnerable. When the nail’s edge grows into the skin, a condition known as an ingrown toenail occurs, which may lead to inflammation, infection, and redness.
Instead of rounding off your child’s toenails, cut them straight across to prevent this uncomfortable condition. Also, as simple as it may seem, check that your kid is wearing shoes that are the right size and have enough space for their toes to move about. Do not attempt to remove an ingrown toenail by yourself; doing so could aggravate the condition. You may save your kid the agony of needless suffering by taking them to the podiatrist right away.
For active kids that love to run around barefoot, plantar warts can be a challenge. These small, grainy growths are caused by a virus and typically punctuate the bottom of the feet. While plantar warts are not always painful, having them in a location where the body applies pressure, such as on the heel or ball of the foot, can be painful.
If your child has a tiny bump on their foot that looks like a wart, you should usually leave it alone and let it go away on its own. Most plantar warts will go away on their own within a few months to a year. If the wart is painful, or it simply does not go away after a period of time, there are treatments to speed it up (freezing, lotions, etc). Don’t pick at the wart, even if it hurts – it may change the wart, and it can also spread the infection.
The positive aspect of your child’s Sever’s disease is that they will likely improve as they mature. Supportive shoes can help alleviate foot pain, especially with children who are avidly active. Other simple methods of treating the pain can be directly linked to decreased activity, ice, and light stretching of the foot. In most cases, rest will be the only thing that your child needs to feel better. However, if pain does not subside, you may wish to consult a physician.
Many babies are born with legs that curve inward (knock knees) or outward (bowlegs) and in most cases will straighten. Most kids will appear to have straight legs by their teen years without any treatment. If your child is 7 or 8 years old and still has very bent legs, this may indicate an issue.
In most cases, knock knees and bowleg do not create problems and do not need treatment. However, if your child is experiencing pain, stumbling, or if the condition continues to get worse then it’s important to have them evaluated by a physician. When children are developing a lot of significant changes occur continually in their bodies, so providing them with supportive shoes that fit properly and if necessary braces as indicated by a physician may help adjust and guide their bone orientation.
Kids tend to be all over the place, and their feet can go through a great deal. Blisters and calluses are muscles to the child, and while they are road bumps in their lives, they are usually not dangerous injuries. Blisters occur due to friction, usually between the skin and the shoe, while calluses result from repetitive pressure to a limited area of the foot.
Fortunately, you can avoid blisters and calluses through monitoring the fit and type of shoes used during activities. If a child has a blister, do not pop it, simply cover it with a band-aid and leave it alone. Depending on the severity of a callus, it is best to soak the area in warm water to stop it from bothering.
You may observe your child starting to complain about sore feet or maybe walking differently, some minor foot problems can be resolved with the know-how and care you can offer at home,
However, more serious problems shouldn’t be overlooked. If you suspect that there is a problem with your child’s feet, it will pay to take them to a paediatric podiatrist in West Auckland. Their expertise will help you and your child to make sure that their growing feet stay healthy.
Although foot (pun intended) may not be the most interesting topic, feet are an important part of your child’s well-being. So the next time your child takes their shoes off, take a look! If you offer them the right care, those little feet can take them a long distance.
At Norwest Podiatry, we are dedicated to delivering top-notch podiatry services in Auckland for people of all ages. Our New Zealand-trained and registered podiatrists are ACC Accredited and provide Procare (Diabetes Service) support, specializing in the assessment, diagnoses, and treatment of foot, ankle, knee, and lower leg conditions.
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