At Cange Podiatry we take care of the podiatric needs of the entire family, including children. Children’s foot health needs are different from those of adults and may require parents to be sleuths in tracking down podiatric problems. Children, especially younger ones, may not be able to articulate specifically what is bothering them about their feet. Below are some important tips for parents in caring for their children’s podiatric health:
Observe—if you notice that your child has become less interested in games and activities they previously enjoyed this may be a sign of foot or ankle pain. Watch them while they are playing sports or just participating in “backyard play.” Look for frequent tripping or spending a lot of time sitting on the sidelines. Unusual walking patterns or moving on tip toes are other possible signs of foot pain. Notice whether your child’s feet look like they are turning inward when they walk.
Inspect—bath time is a good opportunity to examine your child’s feet. Look for cuts, bruises, rashes, redness, swelling or growths on the skin. If you notice anything that seems unusual or concerning, contact our Glen Burnie (410-684-5934) or Ellicott City (410-680-8357) office to make an appointment with our podiatrist, Darlyne Cange, DPM, so that she can examine your child’s foot. The foot doctor can put your mind at ease by ruling out serious problems. She will also be able to diagnose any issues that are present and prescribe the correct treatment. Be sure to check your child’s toenails as well. Children tend to pick at their toes and have a high incidence of ingrown toenails as a result. Keep nails trimmed not too short and always straight across with no curved edges.
Listen—if your child does tell you that his or her feet hurt, don’t ignore it! “Growing pains” in the feet are a myth. Pain is a sign that something is wrong and needs to be dealt with promptly to prevent foot problems from progressing. Contact us today if you have questions about your child’s podiatric health.