Many people associate foot problems with the older generation but in fact, it is incredibly common for teenagers feet to also have problems. Knowing what to look out for and how to help is essential if you are to take care of your child’s foot health before the problems become worse.
As most parents know their teens tend to lead incredibly busy and full lives. They will be attending school, doing different sports, playing outside as well as being occupied with their hobbies. Some of those activities may not have an impact on your teenager’s feet but others will take their toll and cause foot pain or foot health problems. If your child is skateboarding, playing football, running or experimenting with the latest footwear then be on the lookout for potential problems.
It doesn’t matter if your child is a boy or a girl both will experience similar problems apart from in the cases of teenage girls who might want to start wearing higher heels. We have compiled a list of some of the most common foot health problems that you might come across and what you can do about them.
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Adolescent’s Feet and Foot Odour
One of the most common problems with teenagers feet is foot odour or bromodosis. Everyone gets smelly feet at some stage in their lives but adolescent’s feet are particularly prone to the problem. This is because of teens hormones which are helping them to grow. Now if your teenager is also wearing the same shoes to school every day or is experiencing stress then you are going to have a problem.
So how exactly can you combat teens foot odour? Well, there are some very simple things you can do to help at home.
Firstly get your teenager to wash their feet every day with an anti-bacterial foot soap such as this Buena Skin Foot and Body Wash. Then when they get out of the shower make sure they dry their feet carefully.
Teens also should ensure that they change their socks daily and try to make sure that these are made of cotton or wool instead of man-made fibres such as nylon. This is because the natural fibres allow the foot to breathe rather than trapping the sweat inside the sock or shoe. The same principle applies to plastic shoes as fashion footwear. Get teens to avoid them if you can.
If you still find that your teenagers feet are experiencing problems get them to spray a foot deodorant spray on to their feet. This Trueremedy Natural Shoe Deodorizer Spray which has tea tree oil and peppermint is great for getting rid of foot odour and also helps to fight athlete’s foot.
You can also help your teens to fight sweat in their shoes by using this great Gold Bond Foot Powder to relieve the odour and sweat. Wearing different shoes on alternating days can also help as it gives time for the shoes to dry out between uses.
Athlete’s Foot and Teenagers Feet
Where we have sweaty feet we also have the problem of Athlete’s foot or Tinea Pedis by another name. This is a problem with a foot fungus that can cause more odour, itching feet and even cracks, blisters and scaling between the toes, toenails and at the bottom of the foot.
All of us have a fungus that naturally occurs on our feet but in the right conditions, it can start to thrive and grow to create problems. Now many of the suggestions that we have given regarding foot odour problems can help to combat the issue starting in the first place but what can you do if you are faced with the problem and don’t know what to do?
Lotrimin Athlete’s Foot Treatment is designed to help the problem in one week and is suitable for teens. This particular example comes as a cream however they also have other products which can help that come in a spray or powder.
If you are looking for a solution to Athlete’s foot in powder form then try using Desenex Foot Powder which has plenty of positive reviews.
Teenagers Toes and Ingrown Toenails
Another foot problem that teenagers feet may encounter is ingrown toenails. These can be caused because of shoes being too tight (teenagers feet can grow quickly), problems with nail trimming as well as knocks to the toes from sports. Making sure this problem is resolved as soon as possible is important because if left unchecked the toe can become infected causing much bigger problems such as pain. Plus where possible you want them to avoid seeing a podiatrist.
If you see there are any early signs of an ingrown toenail make sure you get your teens to cut their nails correctly. If necessary buy them new shoes if it looks like they have grown out of the ones they have. If you see any signs of swelling on the toe or the area looks red then use a pain reliever such as Outgro Liquid to get temporary relief. Obviously, if the toe begins to look worse or your child is experiencing a fever then take them to see a doctor or podiatrist.
Flat Feet and Fallen Arches in Teens
Flat feet or fallen arches are something that you should also look out for when looking at your teenager’s feet. In many cases, the fallen arches may not cause any problems whatsoever however sometimes they can be responsible for foot and knee pain.
Arch supports or heel supports can help to resolve the problem and these can be easily purchased online. Footminders Kids Orthotic Inserts are arch supports which can help to stabilise the foot and prevent problems such as plantar fasciitis, inflammation and knee and foot pain. These come in two sizes for children up to 13 years old. For older teenagers think about looking at adult arch supports such as these Walk Hero Inserts.
Teenage Girls Feet and High Heels
Teenage girls tend to be at the age when they love to experiment with different types of footwear. This means flip flops, wedges, high heels and other shoe designs that aren’t always the best for their feet and can be painful. In many young girls tend to put up with pain in their feet as they follow fashion rather than what is more sensible for their growing feet.
The problem is that many of these shoes don’t allow stability in the feet. Plus some of these shoes may have poor cushioning, rub and cause painful blisters and corns. Even flat shoes can become problematic as many trendy canvas shoe designs or ballet flats aren’t designed to be worn for long periods of time.
If you have a teenage girl try and persuade her to wear supportive footwear for general day to day usage and limit the more fancy shoes to special occasions. If they are experiencing issues there are some tools and solutions you can use.
Foot insoles for high heels can help and cushion the ball of the foot. We love Foot Petals that can be placed into shoes to help with cushioning when wearing high heels.
To offer a little more support and cushioning in flat shoes think about using Knixmax Memory Foam Shoe Insoles which can be easily popped into the shoes to help. These work across the whole foot rather than just the balls of the feet.
Teenage Foot Problems
Looking after growing teenagers feet doesn’t have to be a problem providing you make sure you keep a check on what they are wearing and nip any problems in the bud before a podiatrist needs to become involved. Remember it is always easier to prevent problems from occurring in the first place instead of trying to resolve them once they have started. Being prepared for some of the teenage foot problems that might happen will save you and them a world of pain, irritation and upset.
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