As a parent, you want the best for your kids. That includes keeping an eye out for any potential foot injuries or conditions that could affect their wellbeing and development. This is especially important when it comes to children, as the structure of their feet can make them more susceptible to certain issues. Let's take a look at some of the most common pediatric foot conditions and what you can do to help prevent them.
Flat Feet
One condition that could affect your child's feet is flatfoot, also known as pes planus. Flatfoot occurs when the arch of the foot collapses and flattens out, making it difficult for your child to walk or stand for extended periods of time. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including poor foot structure, muscle weakness, or overpronation. Arches don’t usually develop until around age three or four, so that is the time to have your child evaluated if you are concerned about them having flat feet.
When a child is diagnosed with flat feet, there are several things we can do to help relieve any pain and promote normal growth, such as:
- Custom orthotics or Little Steps
- Wearing a heel cup
- Wearing supportive shoes
Sever’s Disease
Another common pediatric foot condition is Sever's disease, which is an inflammation of the heel bone. It's typically seen in active children between the ages of 8 and 14, as the heel bone is still growing and developing at this age. The pain associated with Sever's disease is usually relieved by rest and stretching. Special shoe inserts, such as heel pads or cups, can act as a shock absorber, decrease pressure on the heel bone and slightly elevate the heel to relieve the pain. Elastic wraps and compression stockings can help decrease any swelling and pain. We might also recommend applying ice, elevating the foot, and over-the-counter pain medication.
You can also soak your child’s feet in Mod Pod Relax. This lemongrass infused Epsom salt soak will soothe aching feet and reduce inflammation. Afterwards, apply Mod Pod Soothe. Soothe is a pain-relieving stick that contains 1000mg of CBD, arnica, eucalyptus, and lavender oils. This ultra-potent combination will reduce pain for a minimum of 4 hours. If you want effective pain relief without the CBD, Mod Pod Recover is a great option!
Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails occur when the edges of your child’s nails grow into the skin around them, leading to redness, swelling and pain. This can be caused by improper nail trimming techniques, wearing shoes that put pressure on the nail, or even genetics. To treat this condition, soak your child’s feet in warm water with Epsom salt and schedule an appointment to have the ingrown nail removed. Ingrown toenails will not resolve own their own and need podiatrist intervention to prevent infection from occurring. Our office offers same day appointments for ingrown toenails.
Wearing shoes with plenty of room for the toes to move around freely and cutting toenails correctly can help prevent ingrown toenail from occurring in the future.
Pediatric foot conditions can be a nuisance for both children and parents. Thankfully, most of these conditions are preventable with the proper precautions. By following our simple tips, you can help your child maintain healthy feet now and into adulthood. Have any questions or concerns? Don’t hesitate to call our office at 859-264-1141 or schedule an appointment online with one of our podiatrists – we would be happy to help!