Childrens Foot Health

BABY & CHILDY Foot Health Baby Foot Development The growth of a baby's feet is a very important part of their overall development and there are a lot of changes in these early stages. 0-18 Months The toes are almost all the same length and surrounded by soft fat. No discernable arch on the sole of the foot. There are 22 small pieces of cartilage when the baby is first born. 9-24 Months There are now 25 bones in each of the baby's feet. There is still no visible arch at this stage. The bones have developed, but there are still gaps between them. 2-4 Years Between the ages of two and four, the soft fat in the foot starts to disappear. There are four arches in the foot and the Longitudinal Arch is becoming more visible. Smaller bones develop at this stage. There are now 45 small bones in each foot. (Note: these merge as they grow. The final number of bones in a foot is 26). Monitoring Your Baby's Feet For: Symmetry Good Progression Usually you can see if one foot is different from Good progression is to do with the growth rate the other. If you notice any major differences or and formation of bones as the feet mature possible problems, take your baby to see a GP. along the various stages outlined above. Things to be Careful of or Avoid: Unnecessary Shoes Babygrows/Sleepsuits Baby Walkers Avoid putting any kind of footwear that might impalr or restrict your baby's feet. Unless they are outside, it is almost always better to keep their feet bare to allow their bones, tendons and muscles to form naturally. It's important that children aren't encouraged to walk too soon. Every child develops differently and at their own pace - let walking come to them naturally once they feel confident enough to do so. Sleepsuits are a warm and comfy clothing option for babies, but make sure the material doesn't pull on their toes as they sleep. Also, the sleepsuit might fit elsewhere on the body, but not on the baby's feet. Kids' Feet Development Kids' feet aren't just miniature adult feet. Proportionally, children's feet can be much narrower at the heel than an adult's foot, so the overall shape can be different. Good shoe manufacturers design children's shoes with these key differences in mind. i Podiatrists treat children's feet differently to adults' feet, making sure they develop correctly. Looking After Your Child's Feet It's recommended you inspect your child's feet daily or at least once a week. Key areas to look for include: Inflamed Nails This can be indicative of an ingrown toenail. Red Marks Can be found where shoes are too tight against the feet, such as the tops of toes, on the heel and below the ankle bone. Strong Odour This is indicative of festering bacteria or fungal infections, such as athlete's foot. Checking Your Child's Foot Posture The simple way of checking this is to examine the wear on the sole of your child's shoes. Healthy Unhealthy Expect the sole of the shoe to wear along the Look for a lot of wear on either side of the back of their heel or somewhere between the heel. Also check whether the soles on the back and the outside of the sole. shoes have a polished appearance. Hygiene Issues Good foot hygiene can prevent a variety of problems. Be sure to wash and dry your child's feet thoroughly, especially between the toes. Repeat this every day using soap and water. Despite good foot hygiene, children can still encounter problems, so it's important to know what to expect: Verrucae Athlete's Foot A verruca is a small benign lump caused by a virus. Verrucae are basically warts on your feet. A very common fungal infection in children due to their feet producing a lot of sweat, creating a wet, warm environment. Unless the verrucae cause your child pain, the standard approach is to leave them to go away by themselves. It can take as long as two years for a verruca to disappear and the virus to leave your system, but don't fret, it will go away eventually. Symptoms are usually fairly obvious: the skin becomes scaly and flaky and can be very itchy. Treatment usualy Involves applying antifungal cream to the affected area, wearing breathable footwear and regularly changing socks. The Ideal Child's Shoe Heel Retaining Medium Heel stiffener - At the back and sides of the heel, the heel stiffener stops the heel slipping out of the shoe and can help prevent sprained ankles and claw toes. This is the laces, hook and loop or 'T' bar used to keep the shoe on the foot. A flimsy retaining medium will make the shoe loose and potentially harmful. Heel height – Heels should not be above 1.5 inches high even for teenagers. Toe Area Base of heel (The sole beneath the heel) – This should be broad: roughly the same width as the heel in order to offer adequate support. It should also be made of shock absorbing material. Foot-shaped – To avoid bunions, the toe area should be shaped like a foot. Adequate depth – This provides enough room for the toenail and is particularly important for anyone suffering from toenail problems. Breathable Material Length and Width The Sole Breathable upper material (the material that the body of the shoe is made from) – this helps prevent athlete's foot. Getting the measurements right is essential – so make sure your children's shoes are Should be soft, flexible and have plenty of grip. A padded insole will also help shock- absorption for active feet. fitted by a trained professional. Sources www.shoefitters-uk.org -.--. .-... ---------