Family Foot Care Checklist
At Pasco-Hernando Foot & Ankle, we serve patients of all ages, and each stage of life has its special issues and concerns. Taking good care of your feet is a life-long practice—and one that should reward you with an active and healthy lifestyle for many years. Below is a checklist for foot care at every age.
Infants and Toddlers
Little feet develop rapidly in the first few years. As parents, when it comes to baby feet, your main job is to give them room to grow.
Allow infants lots of room to stretch out, kick and move their feet freely.
Barefoot is the way to go! If you need to put on socks or shoes, make sure they are not tight and do not compress the feet in any way.
Watch for any abnormalities as children begin to walk. Contact the podiatrist with any concerns.
Children and Teens
Good habits start young, and one of the best ways to promote healthy feet is to teach healthy habits.
Make sure your child washes his or her feet daily with soap and water (and dries them completely).
Check shoe fit frequently—children’s feet can increase half a size in less than six months. Shoes that are too small can cause harm.
Teach your child not to share shoes, socks, towels, and other items that touch someone else’s feet. Children have a higher risk of contracting fungal infections than other age groups, largely due to their practices and hygiene.
Provide a healthy diet and regular opportunities for exercise.
Monitor sports activities and help your young athlete prevent injuries from overuse. Don’t encourage non-stop sports that go from season to season without a break.
Adults
Hopefully, by adulthood, most patients have solid foot health practices. A few important reminders, however, are in order.
Don’t wear shoes that are too tight in the toe box or have very high heels. These can accelerate conditions such as bunions and hammertoes.
Avoid excess weight gain.
Exercise regularly and be sure to stretch before and after fitness activities.
Don’t ignore foot pain—get it diagnosed and treated promptly to avoid chronic foot discomfort.
Seniors
Don’t settle for hurting, stiff feet and ankles as a senior.
Stay active!
Add activities that aim to increase your balance and thus help lower fall risk.
Stay current with all your medical appointments as many conditions impact the health of your feet.
At every age, if you experience pain or discomfort, make an appointment at our Hudson office by calling 727-868-2128 or 352-683-5799 so that our podiatrist, Dr. Lawrence J. Kales, can quickly diagnose any podiatric problems.