Stepping into Foot Health Awareness Month

April is Foot Health Awareness and it is sponsored every April by the American Podiatric Medical Association. Our foot health is something that is so important yet it is a part of our body that most of us can admit we are guilty of neglecting.

We've all heard the saying "when my feet hurts everything hurts" and this is could not be truer. If you stop and think about it, when your feet hurts your whole body feels miserable. Making sure you are practicing good foot health habits and wearing proper shoes can help you feel better overall.

One area of foot health that is often overlooked is that of children from infants to teenagers. Taking the proper precautions and starting good foot health habits when our children are small can save them a lot of potential foot pain, foot problems and even foot surgeries in their future.

The American Podiatric Medical Association provides some great tips for taking proper care of our children's feet, beginning with shoe shopping tips.

Shoe Shopping Tips for Children

When our children are little, it seems like we live at the shoe store. Their feet grow so quickly it can become rather expensive keeping them in shoes. We don't want to compromise the health of our children's feet in the process.

We may need to purchase new shoes and socks for our children during their fast-growing years. If your child's shoes don't fit properly, it can aggravate his or her feet causing pain and making it difficult to walk. When trying on new shoes, always make sure they fit properly before leaving the shoe store.

The APMA recommends that you do not hand down previously worn shoes from one child to the next. Each child has different foot patterns and wears their shoes out differently. It is also unsanitary, as spreading nail fungus and athlete's foot is possible. If your child is always removing his or her shoes, or wants to take them off immediately, it could be a sign that their shoes don't fit properly.

Once your child starts to slow down in growing, it is possible that your child may wear through the heels of the shoes much quicker than outgrowing the shoe. The APMA states that if your child has uneven heel wear on their shoes, it could indicate a foot problem that will need to be checked by a podiatrist.

When shoe shopping, make sure your child is along so that his foot size can be measured. It is recommended to shop for shoes later in the day because the feet tend to be a little swollen and that is the best time to fit shoes. New shoes should not need to be broken in. They should feel comfortable right away. If between sizes, always buy the next shoe size up. Last but not least, have your child wear either socks or tights or what they would normally be wearing on their feet when you take them shopping.