Children’s Foot Health

Much like adults, children can also experience foot problems. Certain conditions are common in children but can be promptly treated to help your child stay healthy and active. 

Young children are often afflicted with ingrown toenails. Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows into the surrounding skin rather than over it. This can make the area where the nail has grown into the skin tender, red, warm, swollen, and painful. In some cases, an infection may develop. Ingrown toenails can typically be treated at home, but an infection may require medical treatment. Fortunately, ingrown toenails are easy to prevent. When trimming your child’s toenails, be sure to use toenail clippers to cut the nails straight across, avoiding curved edges. It is also important to not cut the nail too short. Wearing roomy, comfortable shoes can also help prevent ingrown toenails from developing. 

Plantar warts are warts that develop on the bottom of the foot due to a viral infection. Warts usually present as one or multiple circular areas of thickened skin with tiny black dots on them. Plantar warts may cause pain when pressure is applied to them while walking. Over-the-counter and prescription topical treatments can typically clear up plantar warts. 

Another common concern in children is heel pain. Sever’s disease, an overuse injury that causes inflammation in the growth plate of the heel, is especially common in children ages 8 to 14, especially if they frequently participate in running or jumping activities, like soccer or gymnastics. Sever’s disease is characterized by pain in the back or bottom of the heel, difficulty walking, and fatigue. 

If your child complains of foot pain or if you notice any abnormalities in your child’s feet, it is recommended that you take them to see a chiropodist for a diagnosis and treatment.

My Child’s Foot Falls Asleep

Anyone’s foot can fall asleep at times. It may feel heavy and have a pins and needles sensation, or it may have lost feeling. It can seem like the blood supply is cut off to the feet, but it really has more to do with the nerves. Nerves are like tiny threads that run throughout the body and carry messages back and forth from the brain to the body. If a child sits on their feet or tucks their feet underneath them, there will be an interference in the nerve message system. When the nerves are no longer compressed, the connection returns to normal. This is not a serious problem. If your child’s feet fall asleep when they are not in positions that compress the nerves, it is suggested that you see a chiropodist as soon as possible for a diagnosis and treatment.

If your child is experiencing foot or ankle pain, please consult with one of the chiropodists from The Footcare Centre. Our chiropodists will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. 

Common Causes of Foot Pain in Children

While children can experience many of the same foot problems as adults do, some foot problems may be more common during childhood. 

Causes of foot pain in children can include:

  • Deformities that are present from birth, such as flat feet or clubfoot

  • Sever’s disease, which is an inflammation of the growth plate in the heel bone

  • Various sports injuries, such as sprains and fractures 

  • Ingrown toenails

  • Athlete’s foot

  • Plantar warts

Prevention

It is important to look after the health of children’s feet in order to prevent future problems from arising. Keep your child’s feet clean and dry, trim their toenails regularly, ensure their shoes fit properly, and keep a watchful eye on any symptoms of foot pain, such as limping. If you notice any symptoms or if your child complains of foot pain, a chiropodist can help. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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Do Your Child's Feet Hurt?

Have your child's feet been examined lately? Healthy feet are happy feet. If your child is complaining of foot pain, it may be a sign of underlying problems.

Summer

Summer can be a time when the feet are particularly vulnerable to various medical problems. This is because the warm weather means that many people will wear shoes that do not adequately cushion and protect the feet or will go barefoot entirely. Fortunately, most summertime foot problems can be treated or prevented. 

In the summertime, most people frequent warm, moist public areas, such as swimming pools, locker rooms, and showers, walking around barefoot. These places are breeding grounds for various fungi and viruses that can get into the feet, causing an infection. Tinea pedis, or athlete’s foot, is a fungal infection of the skin on the feet. It’s characterized by a red, scaly, itchy rash and skin peeling, usually found between the toes. Fungus can also infect the toenails, making them brittle, crumbly, thickened, and discolored. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common viral infection that can cause benign, fleshy growths called warts to grow on the soles of the feet. When going to public places, it’s suggested that you wear shoes to protect your feet from infectious agents and that you avoid sharing personal items like shoes and towels with others. 

For many people, staple summer footwear includes flip-flops and open-back, open-toe sandals. Unfortunately, these shoes are usually flimsy and don’t protect the feet or provide any support or cushioning. Some also require you to scrunch up your toes while you walk to keep the shoes on your feet. This can lead to a variety of foot and ankle injuries, heel pain, arch pain, bunions, hammertoes, and dry, cracked heels. When shopping for summer shoes, look for shoes that fit properly and have adequate cushioning in the heel and arch area. They should stay on your feet while you walk without any effort and protect your feet from the elements. If you must wear flip-flops, limit wear to just a few hours every few days, or when going to specific places like the pool or beach. 

For more information about common summer foot problems and how to treat and prevent them, please consult with a chiropodist. 

Filing the Toenails for Summer

The feet tend to be ignored during the winter months, and foot care often ceases. As the summer months approach, many people pay attention to skin and nail conditions on their feet. Pedicures become popular again, as the feet are soaked, scrubbed, and polished, often giving the feet a groomed appearance. People who choose to care for their toenails at home may achieve a similar result when the nails are filed straight across. It is important to make sure filing is performed on dry skin, in addition to ensuring all nail instruments are clean and hygienic. Applying a good moisturizer generally helps the skin to feel smooth, in addition to preventing unsightly conditions, such as cracked heels, from developing. When a foot care regime is routinely performed, the benefits can include having healthier and prettier feet. If you would like more information about successful foot care tips, it is suggested that you speak with a chiropodist who can provide you with the knowledge you are seeking.

Summer is the season for many foot and ankle issues. If you’re suffering from a foot or ankle problem, please consult with one of the chiropodists from The Footcare Centre. Our chiropodists can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility. 

Common Summer Foot Problems 

  • Athlete’s foot

  • Toenail fungus

  • Plantar warts

  • Foot and ankle injuries

  • Bunions

  • Hammertoes

  • Heel pain

  • Cracked heels 

  • Sunburns

  • Blisters

Prevention

  • Wear supportive shoes and avoid flip-flops

  • Maintain good foot hygiene

  • Exfoliate and moisturize the heels

  • Apply sunscreen to the feet and ankles

  • Wear shoes in public areas like swimming pools, locker rooms, and showers 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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Orthotics

Orthotics are medical devices that are typically placed in your shoes. They are used to treat a variety of foot and ankle conditions. Depending on your needs, orthotics can correct gait abnormalities and biomechanical issues, ease foot and ankle pain, correct or prevent the progression of deformities, cushion and support the foot, evenly distribute weight, and help injuries heal more efficiently. 

There are many different types of orthotics available on the market. Some can be bought over-the-counter at most major retailers. Others need to be prescribed by a foot and ankle specialist and are custom-made to fit the unique needs of your feet. Orthotics come in various forms, including full-length and half-length shoe inserts, heel cups or pads, splints, braces, and more. Depending on the type of orthotic, it can be made from rigid materials, like carbon fiber or plastic, or soft materials, like memory foam. 

The type of orthotic that is right for you depends on the foot or ankle problems that you are facing, as well as the unique characteristics of your feet, such as their structure and biomechanics. If you are interested in exploring orthotics as a potential treatment option for your foot or ankle problems, it is suggested that you consult with a chiropodist. A chiropodist can examine your feet to determine your specific needs and find the right orthotics for you.

Who Can Wear Orthotics?

Orthotics can either be custom-made or over-the-counter inserts meant to be worn inside shoes serving a variety of functions. Orthotics can mitigate pain, help treat foot conditions or even help correct deformities. Many patients often ask who can wear orthotics and who might be able to benefit from them. The answer is that many people can potentially benefit from wearing orthotic devices. Some individuals can certainly benefit more than others by wearing orthotics. For example, if a patient has an average weight and height, they might benefit from wearing orthotic devices, especially for heel pain. By wearing orthotics, a patient can potentially decrease the amount of pain they are feeling in their feet. Contact a chiropodist today for more information. 

Orthotics are devices that are typically inserted into shoes to treat a variety of foot and ankle problems. If you would like to learn more, please consult with one of the chiropodists from The Footcare Centre. Our chiropodists can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility. 

What Are Orthotics Used For? 

Orthotics are used for the treatment of a variety of foot and ankle problems. These can include biomechanical issues, gait abnormalities, foot pain, injuries, arthritis, deformities, and other medical conditions that affect the lower limbs. Orthotics can be bought in a store or custom-made and prescribed by a chiropodist. 

Types of Orthotics 

  • Rigid - Made from carbon fiber or other hard material and designed to ease foot pain and strain

  • Soft - Made from flexible materials like foam and designed to cushion and support the foot

  • Full shoe inserts

  • Half shoe inserts

  • Heel cups

  • Heel pads

  • Night splints

  • Braces

  • And more

 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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Why Live with Pain and Numbness in Your Feet?

Suffering from this type of pain? You may have the foot condition known as Morton's neuroma. Morton's neuroma may develop as a result of ill-fitting footwear and existing foot deformities. We can help.

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a condition that causes poor circulation in the lower limbs. This occurs due to a buildup of a fatty substance called plaque in the arteries that supply the lower limbs. The plaque buildup causes the arteries to narrow and harden, restricting blood flow. 

In its initial stages, PAD may not cause any noticeable symptoms. As the condition progresses, the first sign of PAD is usually claudication, a pain or cramping in the lower legs that occurs during walking or exercise. Claudication is caused by reduced blood flow to the muscles in the lower legs. Other symptoms of PAD that may appear over time include pain, numbness, heaviness, or achiness in the leg muscles, weak or absent pulses in the legs and feet, slow-healing wounds on the legs or feet, skin discoloration, poor toenail growth, poor hair growth on the legs, and low leg temperature. These are all signs of decreased circulation in the legs. 

PAD is a particularly dangerous condition because it can increase your risk of having a stroke or heart attack. Complications or a total loss of circulation can also increase your risk of limb amputation. A chiropodist can screen you for peripheral artery disease using quick, noninvasive vascular tests. The Ankle-Brachial Index, a test that measures the blood pressure in your arm and in your ankle and then compares the two numbers to see if you are at risk for PAD, and ultrasound imaging of the blood vessels in your legs, are frequently used as screening measures. 

If you have symptoms of PAD, or if you have been diagnosed with PAD and would like to learn more about maintaining the health of your lower limbs, please consult with a chiropodist. 

How Peripheral Artery Disease Affects the Feet

When the blood flow to the feet is slowed, it is typically the result of a buildup of fatty plaque in the arteries serving the lower extremities. This blockage is known as peripheral artery disease or PAD. Risk factors for peripheral artery disease include smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and aging. Telltale signs of PAD in the ankles and feet are sores or wounds that won’t heal, an absence of a pulse in the feet and toes, and cold or numb toes. One way to help prevent peripheral artery disease is to participate in physical exercise regularly. It is also imperative to stop smoking, because it not only increases the risk of PAD, it also makes any symptoms you may have worse. If you are predisposed to cholesterol or diabetes, they should also be monitored closely. If you need information on peripheral artery disease, it is a good idea to consult a chiropodist who can examine your feet and suggest appropriate treatment options.  

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a serious condition that can increase your risk of having a stroke or heart attack. If you have symptoms of PAD, please consult with one of the chiropodists from The Footcare Centre. Our chiropodists will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. 

What Is Peripheral Artery Disease?

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a condition in which the arteries that supply blood to the lower limbs narrow and harden due to a buildup of arterial plaque. PAD causes a reduction in blood flow to the legs and other extremities. 

Symptoms

Often, people with PAD experience no symptoms, especially in the early stages. If PAD continues to worsen, the first sign of PAD may be claudication, pain and cramping in the legs while walking, caused by the reduction of blood supply to the muscles of the legs. 

Other potential symptoms include: 

  • Numbness or weakness in the legs

  • Coldness in the legs or feet

  • Slow-healing sores or wounds

  • Skin discoloration or hair loss on the legs

  • Slow growth of toenails

Diagnosis

Most often chiropodists utilize a test called an ankle-brachial index (ABI). An ABI test compares blood pressure in your arm to the blood pressure in your ankle to see if any abnormality occurs. Vascular tests look at the blood flow in the legs and are generally painless and non-invasive. 

Treatment

Lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly can help limit further arterial plaque buildup. Taking your prescribed medications can reduce your risk of stroke and heart attack. In some cases, surgery may be required to improve blood flow. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

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