Pediatric Foot Care in Texas
Children’s foot care is critical. If you provide proper foot care to your young ones, you are protecting their health. Providing foot care to your children is not difficult. It could be as simple as washing and drying their feet, applying moisturizers and making sure their shoes are properly fitted. By not giving your children proper foot care, you may set them on a path to various foot problems down the road.
Common foot problems that affect children
Bunion/Hallux Valgus: This foot problem affects the big toe joint. Bunion is the development of a bony bump that develops gradually on the inside of the foot. The primary sign of a bunion is when the big toe leans towards the other toes on the same foot.
Growing Pains: This condition affects the entire legs. From the name itself, this foot problem causes severe pain in the legs and feet. Children aged 3 to 4 are most prone to growing pains.
Flat Feet: Doctors call this condition pes planus. Flat foot is a stance deformity affecting the arches of the feet. With this foot problem, the sole completely contacts the ground. Flat feet affect more than 20% of the world’s population.
Irregularly Shaped Toes and Feet: If your child’s toes and feet have abnormal shapes, they have this foot problem. The reason for an irregular shape is the imbalance of muscles, tendons and ligaments.
In-toeing and Out-toeing: These refer to the foot abnormalities that affect the way children walk. When children walk with feet pointing inward, it is in-toeing. If the feet point outward, it is out-toeing. Sudden twisting of upper and lower leg bones is said to be the cause.
Sever’s Condition: This is a common cause of heel pain among children. Sever’s condition usually affects children aged 8 to 14 years. It causes severe pain and inflammation to the Achilles tendon that connects the calf muscles to the heel. According to studies, children’s active physical lifestyle causes Sever’s condition. The repetitive muscle stress triggers the inflammation of the Achilles tendon and growth plate.
To protect your children from these abnormalities, you must give them proper foot care. To ensure the best foot care, consult a trusted podiatrist. Podiatrists are doctors who specialize in treating foot problems. A podiatrist must pass rigorous medical training that includes resetting broken bones, ordering lab tests and prescribing the right medications. Always seek the services of a licensed, reliable podiatrist.
Pediatric foot care treatment
Prevention is always better than cure. That is why you need to be proactive in protecting your children’s feet. The good news is that most foot care measures don’t require professional training. Here are some of the most common pediatric foot care treatments you can do for your child at home.
Use Loose Feet Cover: Podiatrists discourage tight feet covers. Instead, use loose feet covers. Loose feet cover ensures normal foot development and helps strengthen feet muscles.
Check Newborn Feet Immediately: Immediately check the feet of a newborn baby to spot any abnormalities. By promptly addressing foot problems, you can prevent complications. If you notice an abnormality early enough, our foot doctors can treat it without major surgery.
Let Children Walk Shoeless: Allowing your child to walk without shoes is another significant foot treatment. According to Dr. Paul W. Esposito, MD, children who walk barefooted got stronger feet muscles. This technique is very crucial for children who are just starting to learn how to walk.
Keep the Feet Clean and Dry: Good hygiene plays a vital role in keeping the feet healthy. That is why you need to wash and dry your child’s feet regularly. Washing and drying the feet prevents the growth of bacteria.
Patch Cuts: When there is a cut on the feet, it should be immediately washed with clean water. After washing the wound, make sure you cover it with a sanitized bandage. Always cover cuts or bruises in the feet to prevent the intrusion of pathogenic bacteria.
Find a Fitted Shoe: Be mindful of the kind of shoes you buy for your kids. This is because shoes affect the normal development of the feet. Always remember that children’s feet grow very rapidly. When you notice that your child is not comfortable with the shoe he or she is wearing, this is a serious red flag. This means that the child’s shoes are too big or too small and should be immediately replaced.
Regularly Trim Nails: If you don’t properly cut children’s nails, it will result in foot infections. In some cases, the nails will develop a thick ingrown. Ingrown toenails cause pain, redness, and sometimes swelling of the feet.
Show Them What’s Best: This highlights the significance of showing children the right ways to protect their feet. You can also tell them about the importance of having clean feet. Make them realize that simply cleaning their feet prevents severe infections.
When it comes to children’s foot care, you can’t just settle for anything. Children need special care for their feet. Children’s health is very delicate; hence you need to be very careful when consulting a foot care specialist. Make sure to consult a podiatrist with an untarnished reputation. Read reviews online to check the integrity of a particular podiatrist. Request information from people with firsthand experience. Do extensive research to ensure that you are dealing with a legitimate, reputable podiatrist. Find a trusted clinic for reliable treatment.
If you are in Dallas, finding the most trusted place for children’s foot care is easy. Just go straight to Graff Foot, Ankle and Wound Care. Over the years, we have maintained our integrity as the most reliable and affordable clinic for foot care treatments. We are the sole provider of leading-edge foot care treatments in all of Texas. We also offer a wide array of foot care services to cater to the needs of more patients. Our foot care treatments are guaranteed safe and do not pose a threat to the environment.
Give your children the best foot care available. Schedule an appointment with Graff Foot Ankle and Wound Care. Call (972) 403-7733 today or use our convenient Request an Appointment form to schedule your visit.
