Your feet in good hands: keys to child chiropody
The health of our feet is an essential part of our body. ¿Why is it so important? What are the basic cares that we should always keep in mind? When are we going to take the kids to the podiatrist? How to choose the best footwear for our children? What are the most common problems? These are some of the main doubts that parents have about their children's feet and that we are going to solve with the help of expert podógos de Copoma, Official College of Podiatrists of Madrid.
Characteristics of a good children's footwear
In general, the most important thing in any children's footwear is to be light, with a good grip through laces or velcro and with a reinforcement in the posterior area that protects the heel area without limiting the proper mobility of the heel.
The soles of the shoes must be flexible, but non-deformable and must respect the take-off of the foot. The lasts will preferably be straight (except occasionally when special lasts are required) and the heel area will be very soft in height and wide.
The footwear in summer will be lighter and of fresher materials, but it will have to contribute a good subjection and a good mobility of the foot equally. As for the sports it will vary according to the characteristics of the sport practiced, but in general, it will have to bring great power of Impact absorption and good mobility in the momentum of the foot during the march.
Ideas to avoid chafing or injury
The chafing and wounds are problems derived from footwear, so that all the preventive measures that we take are in relation to the use of an adequate footwear, of a correct length and amplitude, and that they are made of a material with a certain level of perspiration, so as not to accumulate excessive heat.
One aspect that we must also take into account is that, on some occasions, the adaptation to a shoe must be gradual, it is important to use it progressively the first days of use.
How to prevent fungi and papillomas on the feet
Mainly, we can suggest two measures to prevent this type of infections in the feet. First, hygienic measures in swimming pools, sports centers and gyms, where it is important that the foot is protected with a chancla, clog or bootie appropriate for these spaces. With this, we will ensure that the foot is not in contact with the potentially contaminated surface, reducing the risk of infection of these infections.
Secondly, we must combat the moisture in the feet through a good drying after daily cleaning. In addition, it is very important to combat the excess of sweating that can be suffered through hygienic measures and use of an appropriate footwear.
Essential hygienic tips for the feet
It is important above all to "involve" the foot in daily hygiene, as it is very normal that during the shower the foot does not receive the necessary attention, and even not adequate drying. The hygiene of the foot should be daily, placing special care in the interdigital area with a Careful drying and subsequent hydration with the right creams.
When to take the child to the podiatrist
We consider ideal for children a preventive visit to assess their proper development, being the best age to perform it between 4-5 years, where a defined running pattern already exists.
Although, this first visit could be advanced if there are other symptoms that may indicate some type of anomaly such as: constant pain in heels, knees or legs; frequent falls; sinking or deviation in the foot; walking with the feet in, alteration in the placement of the fingers, etc.
Problems derived from a bad step in childhood
A bad footstep in childhood can lead to multiple problems in adulthood not only in the foot, but also in the knee, hip, back ... therefore, the best way to prevent all these problems is to visit the podiatry professional .
Characteristics of orthopedic footwear for children
You have to have many considerations in the progress of a child, not just the degree of flattening of the plantar arch. There are children with an excessively open gait and others with a very closed gait. Sometimes, the problem of walking in one way or another is not due to the shape of the foot, but it can influence the shape of the tibiae or hips.
Nowadays orthopedic footwear is very specific, according to the needs of each patient. Sometimes, you may need a special last with a certain degree of deviation, in or out; other times it will be necessary to make changes in the heel to achieve a more open or closed gait; and in some cases modifications will have to be made at the level of the subsequent reinforcements to give greater stability.In addition, generally, this type of footwear usually goes accompanied of the suitable template, realized by the professional of chiropody and with the adapted internal volume.
Advice: Juan Carlos Montero, spokesperson forCOPOMA. Official College of Podiatrists of the Community of Madrid
