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Children’s footwear plays a significant role in the development of their feet and the way they walk, known as their gait. Shoes that are ill-fitted or lack proper support may lead to many foot conditions, such as flat feet, hammertoe, or even issues with posture and balance. Investing in properly fitting shoes helps children's feet grow correctly, supports a natural gait, and aids in maintaining good body alignment. Shoes that are too tight or too loose, can lead to discomfort, or possible long-term health issues. Children’s feet are still developing, and their bones, muscles, and ligaments are not fully formed. Wearing unsupportive footwear during these stages of life can cause permanent damage and affect their ability to participate in daily activities. Quality shoes should have a flexible sole to allow natural movement, plenty of room for the toes, and good arch support to encourage proper foot mechanics. If any issues regarding your child’s foot health arise, it is suggested to visit a podiatrist for a thorough exam and appropriate treatment.

The health of a child’s feet is vital to their overall well-being. If you have any questions regarding foot health, contact Dr. Kirk Sherris of Liberty Bay Foot & Ankle. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Tips for Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

• Make sure their shoes fit properly
• Look for any signs of in-toeing or out-toeing
• Check to see if they have Clubfoot (condition that affects your child’s foot and ankle, twisting the heel and toes inward) which is one of the most common nonmajor birth defects.
• Lightly cover your baby’s feet (Tight covers may keep your baby from moving their feet freely, and could prevent normal development)
• Allow your toddler to go shoeless (Shoes can be restricting for a young child’s foot)
• Cut toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails
• Keep your child’s foot clean and dry
• Cover cuts and scrapes. Wash any scratches with soap and water and cover them with a bandage until they’ve healed.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Poulsbo, WA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Bruised toenails, also known as subungual hematomas, typically result from trauma or injury to the toe. The sensitive nail bed can easily sustain damage from sudden impact or repetitive pressure, leading to discoloration and discomfort. Trauma, such as stubbing the toe or dropping a heavy object on it, can cause blood vessels beneath the nail to rupture. This leads to the accumulation of blood and the characteristic dark discoloration, usually dark blue or black. If left untreated, bruised toenails can lead to a spread of discoloration or even nail detachment, along with an increased risk of infection. Proper footwear, especially for runners, and caution in high-risk activities are key factors in reducing the likelihood of trauma to the toenails. Recognizing the symptoms of bruised toenails enables individuals to seek timely treatment, prevent potential complications and promote faster recovery. If you've experienced a problematic bruised toenail, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for treatment. 

Toe pain can disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact Dr. Kirk Sherris of Liberty Bay Foot & Ankle. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Causes Toe Pain?

Most severe toe pain is caused due to a sports injury, trauma from dropping something heavy on the toe, or bumping into something rigid. Other problems can develop over time for various reasons.

Toe pain can be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Trauma
• Sports injury
• Wearing shoes that are too tight
• Arthritis
• Gout
• Corns and calluses
• Hammertoe
• Bunions
• Blisters
• Ingrown toenails
• Sprains
• Fractures (broken bones)
• Dislocations

When to See a Podiatrist

• Severe pain
• Persistent pain that lasts more than a week
• Signs of infection
• Continued swelling
• Pain that prevents walking

Diagnosis

In many cases the cause of toe pain is obvious, but in others, a podiatrist may want to use more advanced methods to determine the problem. These can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatments for toe pain and injuries vary and may include shoe inserts, padding, taping, medicines, injections, and in some cases, surgery. If you believe that you have broken a toe, please see a podiatrist as soon as possible.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Poulsbo, WA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Ingrown toenails occur when the edge of a toenail grows into the surrounding skin, leading to pain, swelling, and sometimes infection. The main causes include improper nail trimming, wearing tight footwear, and trauma to the toe. To prevent ingrown toenails, it is essential to trim nails correctly. Cut toenails straight across rather than rounding the edges to avoid them growing into the skin. Additionally, keeping nails at a moderate length helps prevent pressure from shoes. The pain from ingrown toenails is due to the nail cutting into the sensitive skin, causing inflammation and sometimes infection. This pressure and irritation trigger significant discomfort, making even simple activities like walking painful. Proper nail care and wearing well-fitting shoes can reduce the risk of developing ingrown toenails and alleviate the associated pain. If you have developed an ingrown toenail, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can treat this condition, which may include minor surgery.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact Dr. Kirk Sherris of Liberty Bay Foot & Ankle. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Poulsbo, WA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.