The 9 most frequent anomalies in the feet of children

Children who step in, children who walk with their feet out, children who have a very pronounced arch of the foot ... There are different injuries, anomalies and health problems that they are on the feet of babies and children. The feet are the support area of the body. They fulfill an important l

The feet are the support area of the body. They fulfill an important locomotive mission. They can give rise to very diverse doubts on the part of the families. In Guiainfantil.com we proceed to comment on some of the most frequent.

Types of diseases in the feet of children

1- Flat feet: a foot is considered flat when the height of the longitudinal arch of the plant is less than usual. Most of the flat feet are flexible (they are corrected if the child stands on tiptoe), and do not need treatment. Only rigid flat feet (which are due to bone malformations) require surgical treatment. Corrective templates are only used if there are calluses or significant pain.

2- Feet valgus: many children with flat feet have valgus feet in turn. They are characterized by a deviation of the heel towards the outside, and by a "falling effect" of the inner part of the foot, which seems to touch the ground. In the pediatric age it does not require treatment, unless it generates pain.

3- Cavus feet: is the opposite of flat feet. It is defined as an increase in the longitudinal plantar arch. It is quite frequent. They can be primary (cause unknown), or due to neurological diseases. In children do not usually produce symptoms, which manifest in adulthood in the form of pain in the areas of support (metatarsus and heel), claw toes, inflammation of the Achilles tendon, back pain, etc. It is advisable to wear comfortable and wide shoes. More serious cases require surgery.

4- Foot in diabetic children: children with poorly controlled diabetes can manifest neurological alterations that make them perceive pain and temperature worse. This fact makes them more vulnerable to presenting chafing and burns more important. Also, you have to keep in mind that your skin scar worse, and that you are more likely to develop all kinds of infections. For all these reasons, they have to take extreme care of their feet. Infections have to be treated with antibiotics.

5- Foot with a nail: the nail, or whitlow, is an infection of the retreat of the nail. Most of the cases are due to bacteria that we carry as flora in the skin. Taking advantage of any wound or rubbing, said bacteria penetrate inside the fold and cause a local infection. It courses with pain, redness and oozing. The treatment consists in the application of hot water baths and topical treatment (antiseptics, antibiotics). If it persists, or if it becomes complicated, it will be treated with oral antibiotics and / or surgical drainage.

6- Foot with talalgia: Talalgia, or Sever's disease, occurs with pain in the heel bone, just in the area where the Achilles tendon is inserted. This painting is typical of children who practice "multi-hop" and / or running sports (basketball, soccer). For its treatment, a good warm-up program is required prior to exercise, subsequent stretching, anti-inflammatories and silicone heel pads. The latter exert a pad effect, which attenuates the impact generated by the weight of the body on the heels.

7- Athlete's foot: is the common name of a fungal infection that affects the area of the sole of the foot, fingers, and interdigital areas. It usually sits on a previous eczema, in children with abundant local sweat. It courses with intense itching and bad smell. Its treatment involves the administration of antifungal, local, or orally.

8- Podorosis: Podorosis consists of the appearance of a bad smell on the feet. Sometimes it is related to fungal infections, in the interdigital folds. These infections occur more frequently if children wear shoes or closed shoes, difficult to breathe. We recommend using breathable footwear, and ventilate shoes when not in use. In addition, we recommend to clean with common sense the feet, and to dry them well before proceeding to cover them.

9- Plantar warts: the population knows them as "papillomas". They are initially small lesions, which expand over time. Its appearance is rough, and may show dark spots on the surface. They do not always produce pain, although they are often annoying. There is no uniformity of treatment. You can use salicylic acid ointments, cryotherapy, burn with acid substances, or surgery.