Understanding Pediatric Foot Problems
Young children are known for speaking the truth, but in general, that only lasts until a certain age. Pre-teens and teenagers aren’t exactly known for their openness! If they’re having a problem with their feet, they may not think to tell you. This Foot Health Awareness Month, all of us at Clifton Foot & Ankle Center want to help parents keep their kids active. Here are some common pediatric foot issues that can slow kids down:
- Ingrown toenails can happen when kids trim their toenails sloppily, with curves or angles. Doing so encourages the nail to grow downward into the side of the nailbed. That causes swelling, redness, pain, and even infections. Teach children to cut their toenails straight across and not too short to avoid this common pediatric issue.
- Warts are skin lesions that may look a little different depending on where they are. Warts on the top of the feet or toes will appear raised and fleshy; in contrast, warts on the soles of the feet (called plantar warts) will look flat and hard, like a callus. The virus that causes warts loves a warm, moist environment. Kids can prevent an infection by wearing flip-flops when walking around in public locker rooms or on pool decks.
- A child’s heel bone doesn’t fully develop until sometime in their mid-teens. When children are very active or train too hard, the heel’s growth plate can become inflamed. Podiatrists call this condition Sever’s disease, which sounds worse than it is. It clears up with rest, anti-inflammatory medications, or custom orthotics.
- All babies are born with flat feet, but will eventually form a normal arch. Children whose feet remain flat may or may not experience pain. If you notice that your child’s flat feet hurt or make walking difficult, make an appointment with our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Kenneth R. Wilhelm.
Finally, a word about shoes: kids can avoid many foot problems by wearing shoes that provide good support and match their activity. Teach your kids the importance of wearing appropriate shoes when they’re young! The hope is they’ll carry that knowledge forward into many years of good foot health as an adult.
This Foot Health Awareness Month, focus on your children. If you have any concerns about their feet or ankles, no matter how small, contact our office in Centreville, Virginia at (703) 996-3000. Or make an appointment with Dr. Wilhelm online.
