Problems With Children's Feet

When children start playing sports or doing other activities, be sure they have comfortable shoes that include arch support and fit correctly. If a child suddenly develops a limp or other strange way of walking, have him rest the foot that is bothering him and apply ice. He may just have a strained muscle that should heal after a few days of rest.

Flat Feet

• Babies have flat feet when they're born, but most children develop arches in their feet as they grow. Some children, however, may continue to be flatfooted. This condition may cause pain in some children, and some parents report that flatfooted children are clumsier than their peers. Children with flat feet may be helped by wearing arch supports in their shoes, but further treatments isn't necessary unless the condition causes pain.

Sever's Disease

• Sever's disease occurs when the heel bone grows faster than the rest of the foot. It most often occurs in children between the ages of 8 and 15 who are experiencing a growth spurt. Sever's disease causes pain in the heel so children who have it may complain of pain or develop an unusual walk to take the pressure off the heel. Children who are very active or play sports may experience more pain from Sever's disease than inactive children. The disease can be treated with rest and ice packs until the symptoms disappear.

Athlete's Foot

• Athlete's foot is a common problem for active adults, but children are also susceptible to this infection since they may not keep their feet clean enough or use precautions in areas where this fungus lingers, like in changing rooms at public pools. The symptoms of athlete's foot are burning, itching and redness on the soles of the feet or in between the toes. A doctor can diagnose the infection, although over-the-counter fungal treatments may be enough to treat athlete's foot. To prevent your child from catching this fungus, make sure he keeps clean and dry by changing his socks and shoes every day and wearing shoes with ventilation in them. He should always wear flip-flops while showering in a public shower or walking around a locker room.

Pigeon Toes

• When a child walks with his toes pointing inward instead of straight ahead, it's called intoeing or being pigeon-toed. Infants are sometimes born with their feet pointing inward due to the way they were positioned inside the womb. A pediatric orthopedist can treat this problem with a cast or splint before it becomes a problem with the child's ability to walk. When an older child begins to walk pigeon-toed, it can be caused by the shinbone or thighbone turning inward. This problem will generally go away in time, but if a child is having difficulty walking an orthopedist can help. If a child continues to walk pigeon-toed after the age of 10, surgery may be necessary.