Is your child suffering from foot pain? As a parent, it’s good to know the common problems that can occur with your children’s feet. Here, we aim to give you the facts you need to know, enabling you to protect and care for the young ones in your life.
What are the common problems with children’s feet?
Verrucae (Plantar Warts)
Plantar Warts, otherwise known as Verrucae, can be embarrassing and even painful for children. The Human Papillomavirus is the virus that causes verrucae.
Prevention:
Plantar warts can spread from one foot to another through contact with a floor often at swimming pools or changing rooms; this makes it difficult to protect feet from verrucae however limiting the amount of walking barefoot can make a significant difference, making sure your child uses clean socks every day and washing used ones at 60°C.
Treatment:
There are many ways to treat verrucae here are some of the options We Fix Feet provide:
Verrutop
Benefits:
- Considered painless unlike freezing or laser
- 90% effective on those who have between 3-6 treatments
- No awkward dressings
- Ideal for children over the age of 6
- No anaesthetic required
Plasma verruca pen
Benefits:
- Virtually painless and tolerated by children and adults
- Only takes a few minutes
- No awkward dressings
- No anaesthetic required
Swift Microwave
Benefits:
- The most effective treatment for persistent warts
- No dressing required
- No anaesthetic required
For further information on Verrucae Treatments click here.
Blisters
Blisters are small pockets inflated with a clear fluid under a layer of skin they are often caused by friction, skin irritation, or burns and develop to protect the skin underneath, blisters can be painful on little feet and are most easily prevented rather than treated.
Prevention:
One of the best ways to prevent blisters is to wear comfortable shoes that fit and by bedding in new shoes over short periods of time, another option is to wear thick socks before going on walks or running. If you think that the blister is due to sweaty feet, dust, talcum powder in socks before use.
Treatment:
Blisters tend to heal within a week but If you see a blister on your child’s feet be sure to cover the blister with a padded dressing or soft plaster if the blister has popped, make sure you wash your hands before touching it and allow the fluid to drain before applying a plaster or dressing. Make sure your child doesn’t pick at the skin as it can further injure the skin or pop the blister themselves and finally allow the blister to heal before using the shoe or other equipment again.
Warning:
If the blister turns yellow or green it could be infected, speak to your GP if this happens as it could lead to a blood or skin infection
Heel Pain
Heel pain in children is often the cause of either Achilles tendonitis where the tendon that attaches the calf to the calcaneus (heel bone) becomes inflamed from overuse or plantar fasciitis where the plantar fascia becomes inflamed usually because it’s been strained too much.
Prevention:
You can prevent your child from developing both Achilles tendonitis by stretching regularly, maintaining a healthy weight and wearing shoes that fit correctly or using shoe insoles that support your arch and cushion the ankle reducing the pain.
Treatment:
You can reduce the pain caused by plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis by resting, applying ice or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel twice a day, and taking inflammatory medicines or painkillers advised by your pharmacist.
If your child is suffering from foot pain and you are unsure of the problem, contact our footcare clinics in Beeston or Ilkeston. Alternatively, you can book an appointment with one of our Foot Healthcare Experts,