It typically takes 18 years for strong bones to fully develop in a child’s foot. Research has suggested that by observing your child’s posture and gait, common foot ailments may be avoided. A child typically begins to walk around 12 months of age, and going barefoot a majority of the time is beneficial to developing strong muscles. As a child’s foot develops, the shape of the foot may change, causing different size shoes to be worn every 6 months until the feet stop growing. There are several things you can do to optimize your child’s foot health, including choosing shoes with ample room for the toes to straighten and avoiding socks that are constrictive. When assessing your child’s shoe size, it’s important that both feet are measured correctly. The shoes should also feel comfortable while trying them on and should not have to be broken in. If your child complains of heel pain, especially if sports are an integral part of their daily activities, please consider a consultation with a podiatrist for an accurate diagnosis.

Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact Dr. James Kutchback of James Kutchback, DPM, ABLES, CWS-P. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

Having healthy feet during childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care. Here are some things to consider...

Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.

Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet.

Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable.

As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age, toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’. 

As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet.

Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus.

Be watchful for any pain or injury.

Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible.

Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in The Woodlands and Woodville, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

If you notice damp footprints while walking barefoot or sweat that’s ruining your shoes, you may have a condition called plantar hyperhidrosis. In layman's terms, it’s excessive sweating of the feet. Sweating is a normal and necessary bodily function, eliminating excess water and salt. Additionally, it helps to keep the skin moist by cooling the body, which aids in heat regulation. Possible causes of this condition may be anxiety or emotional stress, excessive standing most of the day, or improper footwear which may not absorb the sweat that’s produced. Obesity may also be a contributing factor for this condition and is generally associated with increased sweating, though not always. Some helpful measures include washing and drying the feet daily, especially between the toes, in addition to using a antifungal foot powder to ward off potential fungal infections. If you feel your feet are sweating excessively, please consult a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and available treatment options.

If you are suffering from hyperhidrosis contact Dr. James Kutchback of James Kutchback, DPM, ABLES, CWS-P. Our doctor can provide the care you need to attend to all of your foot and ankle needs.

Hyperhidrosis of the Feet

Hyperhidrosis is a rare disorder that can cause people to have excessive sweating of their feet. This can usually occur all on its own without rigorous activity involved. People who suffer from hyperhidrosis may also experience sweaty palms.

Although it is said that sweating is a healthy process meant to cool down the body temperature and to maintain a proper internal temperature, hyperhidrosis may prove to be a huge hindrance on a person’s everyday life.

Plantar hyperhidrosis is considered to be the main form of hyperhidrosis. Secondary hyperhidrosis can refer to sweating that occurs in areas other than the feet or hands and armpits. Often this may be a sign of it being related to another medical condition such as menopause, hyperthyroidism and even Parkinson’s disease.

In order to alleviate this condition, it is important to see your doctor so that they may prescribe the necessary medications so that you can begin to live a normal life again. If this is left untreated, it is said that it will persist throughout an individual’s life.

A last resort approach would be surgery, but it is best to speak with your doctor to find out what may be the best treatment for you.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in The Woodlands and Woodville, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.