The importance of looking after your children´s feet. Some footcare tips 

During these uncertain times of the Covid-19 pandemic, we should not neglect our health, especially the footcare. Parents and families  need to be aware that is more important checking and changing footwear regularly than replacing the school bag or the pencil case. It is very important to choose appropriate socks and shoes to prevent excessive perspiration.

School shoes really matter as  children wear them an average of 8-10 hours a day and they normally keep on wearing the same footwear after school.

Why and when should you take your children to a podiatrist ? 

Before getting new shoes for your children, it would be advisable to visit your podiatrist who would check your children feet and lower limb and provide some tips about the appropriate footwear.

Toe, nail deformities, walking problems caused by wrong shoes are not uncommon. In the same way as children have their teeth or eyes checked once a year, parents and families should be fully conscious about bringing their children to the podiatrist office who would carry out an annual assessment/ follow up to detect and prevent foot problems. Beginning of school is a good time to book an appointment.

When should your child visit the podiatrist if there are not significant issues?

If there are not any significant changes or problems, the ideal age to visit the podiatrist would be around the age of four or five.

10 tips to get a 10 mark:

1)Always opting for shoes with laces or velcro which provide a better support and prevent the foot from sliding.

2)Choosing footwear made with flexible and natural fabrics to allow transpiration

3)Getting appropriate socks to guarantee a good transpiration: cotton or technical fibers.

4)At home, it would be better to use nonslip socks or slippers. If your child has to wear foot orthoses, it is advisable its constant use

5)School pupils who require specific footwear to play sports should only wear it for the physical activity.

6)Using scarpins or flip flops in changing rooms and swimming pools to reduce the risk of plantar verrucas. 

7)Examinating the spaces between the toes and shoes frequently to check if there is any edge or dirt which could damage the feet.

8) Trimming the nails straighter as possible, avoiding spikes to prevent ingrown toe nails. Visit the podiatrist if any problem.

9)By the age of 6, the child walking is similar to an adult´s. If you notice any changes, contact a podiatry specialist who will determine if your child needs correction of the postural habits and arch shupports/ foot orthotics to compensate the problem detected (tip toe walking, in or out-toe gait,…)

10) Paying attention if your children complain from pain in the foot, knee or leg; there are different  growing problems which appears during childhood and may affect the cartilage. These require an early detection and adequate treatment.

Common mistakes which assure the fail:

1)Children should not go to school with football boots as their last is narrow-fitting, they have a thin sole and syntetic fabrics. Likewise, heelys should be considered a toy not a shoe. Its use should be limited to a couple of hours a week.

2)It is not advisable to use shoes from the previous year or inherited from eldest siblings. Children´s feet grow an average of 7-8mm every 3 months . Inheriting shoes from family members or friends is not recommended: each person has a different walking pattern so sharing eroded footwear could distort the gait

3)Avoid buying shoes bigger than needed; the child may walk uncomfortable. An inappropriate pair of shoes may cause blisters and an unsteady walking.

4)Another common mistake is acquiring the shoes according to the price as “they won´t last long”. When you get good quality footwear you are investing in the correct foot development of the children.

5)Be careful with fashion and prioritizing aesthetics VS health. Butterfly twists are not the best shoes and platform wedges either.

Looking after children foot health is vital as they are in constant growing and now is the time when the possible preventive measures and treatment strategies can be implemented.

Remember, health begins with the feet. Visit a registered and qualified podiatrist.

Let ´s make your children´s feet resilient

Find out more here about how I can help you.

Iván Maestre. Resilient Foot