TIPS TO KEEP YOUR CHILDREN’S FEET SAFE THIS SUMMER

During the hazy, lazy summer months, children become very active, and summer sports and playing outside puts them at a higher risk for injuries. Today, the doctors at the New Jersey Podiatric Physicians & Surgeons Group are sharing some tips for parents to help keep their children’s feet safe.

Because they’re so active, especially during the summer months, children can be more susceptible to foot and ankle pain from overuse ailments or injuries, such as sunburns, ankle sprains, plantar warts, and puncture wounds. Insufficient protection also contributes to these issues.

Here are some things to keep in mind to protect your children’s foot health.

RICE Method

Participating in summer sports and running outside elevates the chance that your children could sprain an ankle. If your child exhibits signs of a sprained ankle, such as soreness, difficulty walking, pain, and inflammation, use the RICE method, which includes rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Doing so will ensure that the ankle has sufficient time to heal and stop the injury from reoccurring. Repeated sprains or sprains that do not rehabilitate correctly can cause chronic ankle instability.

Applying Sunscreen

Applying sunscreen on your feet is another precaution during the summer. Many of us remember to put sunscreen on our shoulders and face but often neglect our feet. When children are barefoot or wearing flip-flops at the park, pool, or beach, it’s important to use sunscreen to avoid sunburn to their feet.

Proper Footwear

The right footwear can prevent injuries. For example, sandals and flip-flops are great for preventing cuts or puncture wounds from hidden objects on the sand or in the grass. Shower shoes can also prevent plantar warts and athlete’s foot, which are often caused by having direct contact with a virus when walking on pool decks or in locker room showers.

Children are resilient, and they usually bounce back faster than adults. So, if you use these treatment methods, your children will be back on their feet in no time. But if they are still experiencing discomfort or pain two or three days after the injury occurs, you should make an appointment to bring them to our office for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Don’t take any chances – if your child is experiencing any problems or issues with their feet, contact us to schedule an appointment.

At the New Jersey Podiatric Physicians & Surgeons Group, there are almost 30 foot and ankle surgeons, podiatrists, and doctors. With more than 30 locations, from Newark, NJ, to Cape May, NJ, we value convenience and excellent service for our patients.

We offer compassionate, cutting-edge care across our network, and we specialize in treating the following conditions: ankle and sports injuries, heel pain and plantar fasciitis, bunions, hammertoes, corns and calluses, ingrown toenails, diabetic foot care complications, children’s foot problems, skin conditions of the feet, and fungal nails. Our group is among the best foot and ankle providers in the country. To schedule an appointment, first find a podiatrist in your area.