Our feet undergo significant changes throughout life, and proper care at every stage is essential for long-term foot health. Whether you’re caring for a baby’s developing feet, managing teenage foot hygiene, or preventing age-related issues, understanding the specific needs of each life stage can help to prevent common problems and maintain mobility. This guide explores the best foot care practices for all ages to help you safeguard your foot health for the years to come.
Foot Care by Age Group
Babies
Did you know there are no fully developed bones in babies’ feet? The bones are mainly made of cartilage, which gradually hardens. What’s more, each foot has a fat pad in the area where the arch later appears. As a result, babies’ feet are soft, pliable and flat. They also grow quickly so socks, booties and sleepsuits mustn’t be restrictive – babies’ feet must be able to move freely to promote proper muscle and bone development.
Key Tips:
- Allow babies to move their feet freely without tight socks or restrictive footwear.
- Avoid hard-soled shoes; soft booties or socks are best for warmth.
- Check for any abnormalities and consult a podiatrist if concerns arise
Toddlers
Infants take their first steps at around a year old and benefit from periods spent ‘toddling’ barefoot at home each day (parents should check that the floors are free of sharp objects first). Exercising with bare feet will enable them to grow stronger and more sure-footed.
When toddlers are confident enough to walk outside, they need fitted footwear. Shoes with flexible, non-slip soles, adjustable fastenings, soft leather uppers and room for growth are best for foot health. Young, fast-growing feet need re-measuring at least every two months. Inspect your toddler’s feet for signs of blisters, sores and other shoe-related problems.
Key Tips:
- Encourage barefoot walking at home to develop coordination.
- Choose flexible, well-fitted shoes with room for growth.
- Regularly inspect feet for blisters, redness, or pressure marks.
- Consult a podiatrist if a child isn’t walking by 18 months
Children
Children’s feet don’t look flat like those of babies and toddlers, but they’re still growing and developing. Feet increase by about one size per year during childhood.
School shoes are worn for over six hours on most days so they must be properly fitted and comfortable. Footwear with heel and ankle support, rounded fronts and shock-absorbing soles helps to protect kids’ feet. Parents should watch out for unusual patterns of wear, which can point to problems such as over-supination (feet rolling outwards).
At school and in their spare time, children take part in activities that place new demands on their feet: ballet, gymnastics, martial arts, etc. Foot pain, especially in the arches, is common, while verrucae and other foot infections spread like wildfire in changing rooms.
It’s reassuring to know that podiatrists provide expert foot care for children and younger infants. Podiatry encompasses everything from verruca treatment to more advanced services such as gait analysis, which helps foot specialists to identify a wide range of problems with foot and ankle function for patients of all ages.
Key Tips:
- Choose supportive shoes with rounded toes and cushioned soles.
- Check for unusual wear patterns, which could indicate gait issues.
- Maintain good hygiene, especially in communal changing areas, to prevent infections like verrucae.
- Consider gait analysis if persistent pain or walking abnormalities arise.
Teenagers
During puberty, the body sweats more than before. Each pair of feet has around 250,000 sweat glands, so it’s not hard to see why foot odour is a major issue for teenagers. It’s important to wash and dry feet thoroughly every day. Because poorly made, ill-fitting socks and tights can cause foot problems including excessive sweating, teens in particular benefit from wearing comfortable, wool hosiery, which draws moisture away from the skin.
Damp, dark, warm conditions can also lead to athlete’s foot, which makes feet sore and scaly. Thankfully, podiatrists have the expertise to eradicate the infection.
Teenagers can develop painful ingrown toenails, especially if they’ve recently started trimming their nails by themselves. They should always be cut straight across and never given curved edges. If toenail surgery is required, it can be performed at a foot clinic.
Key Tips:
- Wash and dry feet thoroughly daily.
- Wear moisture-wicking socks to reduce odour and fungal infections.
- Trim toenails straight across to prevent ingrown nails.
- Seek professional care for persistent infections or nail problems.
Adults
Adult foot care focuses on maintaining comfort, preventing injuries, and addressing lifestyle-related issues like improper footwear and activity-related strain.
Women are sometimes tempted to sacrifice foot health for fashion (and the same can be said about teenage girls). However, if you consider what happens to your feet when you wear high heels, those shoes quickly lose their appeal. Footwear that forces feet to assume unnatural positions can cause everything from skin damage to deformities. Fashionable flat shoes can lead to foot problems, as they offer so little protection and support.
Because men are often less concerned about the appearance of their feet than women, they’re more likely to overlook foot conditions. That means minor issues, such as blisters, cracked heels and fungal nail infections, can turn into serious health problems. The best approach is to inspect feet regularly and seek professional help swiftly when necessary.
Key Tips:
- Choose well-cushioned, supportive shoes, avoiding high heels and unsupportive flats.
- Inspect feet regularly for blisters, corns, and fungal infections.
- Stretch and strengthen foot muscles to prevent conditions like plantar fasciitis.
- Seek podiatric care for persistent pain or deformities
Older Adults
You’ll notice that your feet change as you age – they become drier and stiffer, as well as spreading out. In addition, their ability to cope with intense activity diminishes. The effects of the ageing process aren’t reversible, but they can be reduced with the aid of a good-quality foot cream, regular, gentle exercise and well-cushioned shoes.
Older people’s feet are particularly vulnerable to ailments and injuries, which can be exacerbated by diabetes and other conditions that often cause problems during later life. Specialist foot care for diabetics includes thorough neurological, vascular and skin checks. Diabetic foot assessments are vital during every stage of life, but it’s often the elderly who suffer the most from diabetes-related nerve damage, foot ulcers and muscle weakness.
Key Tips:
- Moisturise daily to prevent cracked heels.
- Wear well-cushioned, properly fitted shoes to reduce fall risk.
- Engage in low-impact exercises to maintain flexibility and circulation.
- Regular diabetic foot checks are crucial for those with diabetes
- Regular Podiatry Check-Ups Protect Your Foot Health
Seeing a podiatrist twice a year can help prevent and manage foot problems. Professional assessments can identify underlying issues early and keep your feet in optimal condition.
For expert foot care from our London podiatrists, please call Feet By Pody today on 0207 099 6657 or book your appointment online.