Plantar Fasciitis
about plantar fasciitis
how to tape your feet
shoes that relieve heel pain
rehabilitation

Biomechanics
choosing a walking shoe
choosing a running shoe
knee pain & foot pronation
iliotibial band syndrome

Common Conditions
blisters
bunions
corns & calluses
neuroma

Health & Prevention
heel pain in youngsters
foot support during pregnancy
foot prep for distance running
orthotic foot supports

Foot Advice for Children from The Foot Nurse
by Patti Glick, RN

Wash your feet every day Scrub tops, bottoms, sides, and between the toes every time you bathe, using soap and a washcloth. Dry your feet well -- especially between the toes.

Nail trimming is easier after you bathe, since the toenails are softer. Have someone help you until you are old enough and have been taught to do it safely. Use nail clippers and cut the toe nails straight across. The edges should be only slightly rounded to avoid poking holes in your socks. Leave a little bit of the white part showing and don't cut them too short. Toenails that get cut too short make it easier to get nail infections and might make them grow crooked.

Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails are toenails that grow and poke down into the skin, at the sides of the nail. This can happen if the nails get cut too short, or if the toe gets hurt at play. The toe gets pretty sore and hurts when you put your shoes on. The skin around the nail can look red, puffy, and leak yellowish fluid known as pus. This can be helped by going the foot doctor (also called a podiatrist) to get rid of the part of the nail that is digging in.

Black Toenails
Black toenails can happen when your foot grows too big for your shoe. It can also happen when a shoe that is loose lets your toes jam into the end of the shoe. The toenail area gets sore and the nail might even fall off. A new nail will grow back, but it takes awhile. Sometimes it bleeds under the nail and that can really hurt. If it hurts really badly, the foot doctor can help.

Athlete's Foot
Athlete's foot is a skin infection. They call it that because people who do sports (athletes) are in locker rooms or pools where the floors stay wet a long time. It's good to wear flip-flops in places like that so you don't get infected. The infection is caused by a fungus and likes dark wet places. If your feet sweat a lot and your socks get wet, it can grow in your shoes, too. Keeping your shoes dry and changing your socks once or twice a day helps. Athlete's foot makes your feet peel, look red, burn, or itch and you could even get small sores. The infection can be all over the foot or just between the toes or along the edges of the bottom. Once you get the infection, your family can get it, too. A parent will need to clean the tub or shower (with Lysol or diluted bleach) after you bathe so you don't spread the infection. You'll need a special medicine from the drug store to rub on your feet, to make it go away. Your shoes also need help from a special powder or spray. Another thing that helps is to open the shoes up wide and put them out in the sun, since sunlight kills the infection and helps dry your shoes out.

Calluses
Calluses are hard rough areas that form on the toes or bottom of the feet. They can happen if the skin rubs against your shoe or if you go barefooted a lot. They look thick and yellowish. Sometimes calluses form because of how you walk or how your foot is shaped. If you have calluses and you also have pain when you walk or play, your parents may want to take you to see a foot doctor to get that checked out.

Blisters
Blisters happen during active play when the feet get hot & sweaty, making the socks stick to your feet. Then they rub against the inside of the shoe. Fluid fills up a space between layers of skin to protect the area, like a small balloon. Sometimes these blisters "pop" by themselves and can become infected. Watch out for redness or leaking yellow liquid, and for red lines near the blister. If the blister has not "popped," then leave it alone. Most of the time it will go away. Be sure to let your parents know so they can have a look, too. It might be time to get a bigger pair of shoes.

Warts
Warts kind of look like calluses but a virus causes them. They usually are found on the bottom of the feet. Sometimes there will be lots of them in one area. It might have a black spot in the middle. Warts sometimes go by themselves, but they can also spread, so tell a parent. If you have a wart and it is painful, it's best to go see the foot doctor.

Shoes for Kids
Shoe fit is really important as kids grow. Your feet change in size about 26 times. Let your parents know if your old shoes are feeling tight, if you can't wiggle your toes, or if you are beginning to get calluses. Every time you go to buy new shoes, you should have your feet measured. Getting shoes big with "room to grow" is not good either because a loose shoe can cause you to jam your toenails, twist an ankle, or break a bone. If you are really active, your shoes might wear out before you need a bigger size. You can tell that if the colors on the bottom have scraped off or the tread is getting smooth. Then it's time to get a new pair of shoes.

Shoe type is very important If you are running the track at school in sandals, you are more likely to get hurt or feel pain afterwards. Sandals do not give your feet the support and cushioning they need for activities like that. It's best to have a pair of athletic shoes for sports and recess. They don't have to be brand name or expensive ones either. The shoe should bend near the toes, and NOT in the middle. It should be a bit stiff when you try to twist it. If you squeeze the back of the heel area on each side, it should be firm, and the bottom of the shoe under the heel should also be firm - not squishy. Shoes made from canvas won't give you as much support, also making it easier to get hurt. Then you can't play for a while. Leather shoes are better than man-made materials (like plastic or vinyl), since those make your feet sweat more and trap the wetness inside the shoe.

Socks
Socks can be any color you like, but some kinds will make your feet stay wet - like socks made out of cotton. Read the labels, like adults do, and find one that has "acrylic" on the label to help prevent sweaty feet and foot odor. Foot powder can help with wet feet, too.

PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR FEET! If something changes, looks different, feels different, hurts, or itches have a parent to take a look. It's not normal to have your feet hurt. Lots of things are no big deal, but some foot problems get worse. Take good care of your feet and they will take good care of you -- like taking you to lots of interesting places, and having fun!