Kids Have Wide Feet Too!

Kids’ feet come in all shapes and sizes so when it comes time to purchase a new pair of kids’ shoes, parents need to be aware that it’s extremely important to have your children’s feet measured. Why – because your children may have wide feet.  Unfortunately, brick-and-mortar stores don’t typically carry wide sizes in kids, so they tend to steer parents in the wrong direction by recommending that they purchase one size up, which means longer shoes (the width won’t change much). This is wrong. Kids with wide feet should wear shoes in wide sizes because it’s imperative for the health of their feet; especially since shoes can play an important role in the development of growing feet. By wearing right sized shoes children could avoid painful, unhealthy foot conditions such as bunions, hammertoes, heel pain, arch pain, calluses, and ball of foot pain – just to name of few.

So parents, please be mindful about the size of your children’s feet before purchasing new shoes. Below is a list of things to remember.

• Have your kid’s feet measured at least every 6 months, especially before purchasing a new pair of shoes.

• Don’t have your kids wear shoes that are one size up to accommodate their wide feet. If you do, the shoes will just be longer, the width won’t change much. And make sure to shop where wide sizes are offered. Online stores like HealthyFeetStore.com carry a great selection of wide children’s shoes.

• Sometimes children’s feet grow narrow, even though they start off wide. Remember, kids are constantly growing and their feet are always changing as they mature.

• Socks can play an important role since their designs vary from thick to thin materials. If shoes are tight, try having your kids wear thinner socks; but, if your kids are already accustomed to wearing thicker socks, you might have to keep that into consideration when selecting what size to go with.

• An Extra Wide (X-Wide) kid’s shoe is only ¼” wider than a normal Wide (W).

• If you’re unsure on what type of shoes to get for your kids, please see a foot health professional for assistance.

HealthyFeetStore.com has added two new Kerasal products: Kerasal Callus Removal Cleansing Pads and the Kerasal Exfoliating Pumice Paste. As one of the most trusted brands in the foot care industry, Kerasal is known as the “podiatrist” brand and has been recognized by APMA (American Podiatric Medical Association). Kerasal products are recommended by both podiatrists and dermatologists alike. In fact, many foot health professionals prefer Kerasal products over prescription foot creams; this brand is just that good. Kerasal products have the ingredients that will soften the toughest, driest feet – they’ll help rejuvenate your feet back to health.

Kerasal Exfoliating Pumice Paste
Believe it or not, this paste is actually made with volcanic pumice stone that’s combined with emollients – together, this combination will not only help scrub away rough cracked heels, unwanted calluses, and dry skin, but also polish and rejuvenate the skin on your feet. There’s no need to use a pumice stone when you have the paste that actually moisturizes as well. This paste is unlike other watery scrubs because it’s a thick paste; and it can also be used for sensitive skin.

Kerasal Callus Removal Cleansing Pads
These pre-moistened pads are uniquely designed with two sides: one side is rough and coarse for softening dry, callused skin; the opposite side has a cleansing solution to disinfect the skin. Unlike pumice stones and files that can become unsanitary over time, these removal pads can easily be thrown away after one use. These disposable pads are ideal to exfoliate dry feet and get them looking and feeling healthy again. They’re also flexible so you can use them on hard to reach areas.

Reflexology practice can be traced back to ancient times, as far back as 40 B.C. in China. Maps and drawings of pressure points on feet have been preserved by many cultures throughout history. It is believed that foot pain is your body’s way of  sending you a message; that there is a system in your body off balance and in need of repair.

Also known as zone therapy, reflexology is now used as an alternative medicine for treating and healing insomnia, headaches, asthma, backache, heavy legs, stress, and anxiety, as well as other conditions. It is both a preventative and restorative practice, creating a physiological change in the body by improving circulation.

The theory of reflexology goes like this:

Think of your feet as a map, every one of our organs is connected by a meridian to a reflex zone on our feet. Six of these meridians go across our feet and link the interior of our body to the exterior. By observing these reflexes, we are able to provide relief or even heal certain types of pains and injuries. For example, the tips of the toes reflex the head, and the ball of the foot reflex the heart and chest.

Here’s how it works:

The masseur applies pressure to the feet, hands, or ears with specific thumb, finger, and hand techniques, addressing points that correspond with the system of the body that needs healing. Pain, tenderness, and numbness in the foot indicates what system of the body may have become imbalanced.

Reflexology can be used to treat foot pain caused by improper footwear, stubbed toes, decreased circulation, swollen feet, or to help recover from foot surgery. Diabetics may also benefit from reflexology to help improve circulation.

Reflexology is recommended as a complementary therapy and should not replace medical treatment, but who can resist a good foot rub?

Thinking about getting a foot tattoo? Wondering what you’d really be in for? Healthyfeetblog sat down with Toney Plugz of Chronic Tattoo Shop in San Diego to get the scoop on foot health, the level of pain, as well as the treatment and care required for a foot tattoo. Plugz has been in the business for nine years, and has given hundreds of foot tattoos to Southern Californians and tourists alike. You might be surprised to learn what he has to say on the subject, including who can sit through the tattooing experience, the ideal time to schedule an appointment for a foot tattoo, what to avoid, and how soon you can wear shoes again.

Athlete’s foot is common, but not widely popular. You probably first heard the foot condition named in junior high gym class, when everyone was sat down and lectured on good hygiene practices in the locker room (I hope I didn’t evoke any odious flashbacks with that one). Athlete’s foot wasn’t fun in junior high and it still isn’t. After symptoms subside, doctors recommend continued treatment for another four weeks, and that’s time taken away from healthy, happy feet.

How you can get it

Athlete’s foot is caused by a parasitic fungus, and most commonly people pick up it up in the locker room or the shower; in an environment that is moist and people walk barefoot. It’s a communicable disease, meaning one person gives it to another (or several others) through sharing footwear, or sometimes by sharing towels with an infected person.

Symptoms

Symptoms include: Cracked or blistered skin, yellow toenails, blisters, scaling, itching, redness. It’s best to start treating athlete’s foot as soon as you pick up on these symptoms. You can self- treat, or see a doctor if conditions worsen or you would like to opt for oral medication.

How to treat athlete’s foot

Wash feet with anti-fungal soap and use topical antifungal cream, spray, powder, or gel to treat athlete’s foot. Topical antifungal applicants will have ingredients such as miconazole nitrate (2%) or terbinafine. Also be sure to wear shoes that allow good air circulation. To ensure that you are completely rid of the fungus, use the topical treatment for four weeks after the symptoms have subsided. If you see a doctor, they may offer oral treatment with griseofulvin as well.

Do not share with others

If you have athlete’s foot you should treat it immediately; there is a chance it could spread to other parts of your body, as well as to friends, family, and your work out buddy at the gym. Do not share footwear or towels with others and be sure to wear flip-flops in the shower (remember what your gym teacher said).

Prevention

The best way to treat athlete’s foot is to prevent it, so wear sandals in the locker room and powder feet to reduce moisture when needed. Wash feet and dry them well. Fungi from athlete’s foot live in warm, moist environments. Wearing cotton or moisture wicking socks and changing them often also helps keep feet dry. If symptoms do not improve, it’s time to pay the doctor a visit, who may prescribe an oral prescription.

HealthyFeetStore.com is proud to announce a new addition to their brand selection: Priti NYC.  Founded in 2005 by Kim D’ Amato, Priti NYC offers non-toxic nail care products that are not only safe to use for the entire family, but also environmentally friendly because they’re formulated with natural ingredients from organic farmers.  Priti NYC nail polish does not contain harmful, carcinogenic ingredients such as dibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene, and formaldehyde.  Over 100 colors are available from metallics to floral inspired hues; and each nail polish bares the name of the flower or plant it was designed after.  Priti NYC is so harmless that it even offers nail polish for children in fun vibrant colors – some of which glow in the dark, which would make sleepovers more fun and entertaining.  Priti NYC also has a Natural Soy Polish Remover that is 100% biodegradable and non-toxic – it does not contain acetone, carcinogens, or petroleum.  Priti NYC is another great brand that offers more than just quality-made products: Priti NYC is doing their part to keep both families and our planet safe from toxic ingredients that are normally used in most conventional nail care products.

Before you close this window, healthy yoga poses for your feet do not require standing on your head or bending over backwards- in fact, it can be as easy as just standing. Standing poses are fantastic for reviving energy in the feet, strengthening muscles, and adapting feet to healthy positions that will in turn benefit the rest of your body.

If you’ve ever taken a yoga class, you’ll recall that the first thing the instructor directs the class to do is to take off shoes and socks. So why is going barefoot beneficial to yoga? Holding healthy poses while barefoot can stretch and strengthen different muscles and toes, and practicing yoga regularly can help you avoid foot conditions such as hammertoe, and can assist in healing existing foot problems. You might find that taking time out of your day to relax your feet will prove to be very worthwhile.

In yoga, spreading your toes helps to strengthen the muscles and connective tissue of your feet. This helps prevent bunions that can be caused by wearing shoes that cram your toes together. It also may help diabetics improve circulation in their feet. Given the room to lengthen the foot and spread your toes, your stride will prove to be more balanced and natural.

So relax, and take your time through these two poses while focusing on your breath. Inhale deeply through the nose and exhale fully through the mouth. If you have it, lay out a yoga mat. A towel will also suffice, or the floor is just fine. 
 

Downward-Facing Dog:

Part of the traditional Sun Salutation Sequence. This stretch helps relieve tension in the feet and the backs of legs, especially calves, as well as opens up the hips, elongates the spine, and releases tension throughout the entire spinal column.

1. Go down to the floor onto hands and knees. Position knees directly below hips and place your hands slightly forward of your shoulders, shoulder-width apart. Spread your fingers.
2. As you exhale, lift your knees off the floor and lengthen your tailbone away from the back of the pelvis. (Variation: Pose with heels to wall for added stability).
3. Take three deep breaths, pushing your heels into the floor and head between your arms. Hold pose anywhere from 1 to 3 minutes.*For an extra stretch, alternate lifting your heels, stretching the arch of your foot and pushing the opposite heel into the floor.
4. Slowly step your feet to your hands, still leaning forward.
5. Place hands above knees, and slowly, vertebrae by vertebrae, roll up to a standing position. 

Mountain Pose:

The mountain pose is the foundation for all of the standing postures, it improves posture and groundedness.
1. Stand with both feet touching, from heel to big toe. If you can’t touch feet together, try moving them as close together as you can. Keep your back straight and arms pressed gently against your sides, palms facing inward.
2. Slightly tighten or flex muscles in knees, thighs, stomach, and buttocks while keeping a healthy posture.
3. Lengthen your feet from the base of the big toe to the inner heel, and from the base of the little toe to the outer heel.
4. Inhale and lift out of the waist, reaching arms above your head, palms facing inward. Reach through the fingers. You may also clasp hands together over your head and point index fingers towards the sky.
5. Press your heels into the floor, then slowly lift both heels and roll onto the ball of your feet. Hold for a count of five, and slowly lower back to the floor. Repeat up to five times.
6. Lower arms and take a moment of standing quietly, before enjoying the rest of your day.

June is such an exciting time of the year because it brings the first day of summer and it’s also Great Outdoors month, which means endless opportunities for fun and healthy activities in warm weather.  Great Outdoors month and the summer season provide perfect opportunities for friends, families and communities to join together and explore all that Mother Nature has to offer, from birdwatching in the woods, to sightseeing at the beach, to enjoying picnics at the park.  But in order to take advantage of this time of the year you’re going to need the right type of footwear.

Hiking
Trailblazing in the woods is a fabulous way to exercise and it forces you off your couch and out of the house.  Remember, it’s summertime so it’s good to get outside to enjoy the natural landscape and see mesmerizing scenery that you really can’t find on cable television.  Don’t get me wrong, HD is great technology, but you just can’t beat the natural sounds and outdoor feeling you get from hiking in the woods.  But you also want to make sure your feet are comfortable.  HealthyFeetStore.com recommends wearing a great pair of athletic trail shoes that come with orthopedic features: arch support, breathable uppers, cushioned midsoles, removable insoles, and durable outsoles with added traction for better footing.

Notable brands that offer healthy trail/hiking/ shoes: New Balance, Aetrex, Dunham, Propet, and Finn Comfort.

Boating
The crisp, salty air coupled with the sounds of waves crashing against bow may be the things that appeal to those married to the sea.  You don’t have to be on land to appreciate the outdoors; remember, about 70% of our planet’s surface is covered by water, which means there are plenty of activities to do, from boating, to whale watching, to fishing with friends.  If you plan on casting away this summer, HealthyFeetStore.com recommends wearing a pair of boats shoes that come with the following features: leather uppers, corrosive-resistant eyelets, leather sock lining designs, non-marking rubber soles with added traction to gain footing on decks.

Notable brands that offer healthy boat shoes: Sebago, Dunham, and Orthofeet.

Beach
Just imagine lying on warm sand under a cloudless sky and hearing the sounds of the surf breaking on the shore – in my opinion, nothing could be better.  For those lucky ones that live or are vacationing near an ocean or large body of water (lake or river), the beach offers plenty of fun activities and eye-catching scenery. Although you’ll probably be barefoot most of the time, you will need footwear to meander from place to place; and it will be ideal to wear footwear that can easily be put on or taken off. HealthyFeetStore.com recommends a pair of flip flop sandals with healthy features: arch support with heel cups, soft toe posts, durable soles, and footbed designs that are cushioned and wear moldable (footbeds that confirm to the shape of each individual foot) for comfortable steps.

Notable brands that offer healthy flip flops sandals: Sole, Orthaheel, Moszkito, New Balance, and Specno.

Gardening
If you prefer to stay home and have a green thumb, you definitely want to take advantage of June’s weather.  Just open your door and look outside, I’m sure you’ll find that your yard needs upkeeping.  Instead of hiring a landscaper, just do the work yourself; or maybe it’s time to plant that herb garden you always wanted, or perhaps another lemon tree?  You can even turn your normal looking yard into something that reflects the great outdoors.  HealthyFeetStore.com recommends wearing a pair of gardening shoes with the following features: waterproof uppers, premium insoles that wick moisture away, removable insoles to accommodate custom orthotics, and long-lasting outsoles with added traction.

Notable brands that offer gardening shoes: Sloggers

An Italian, a German and a Frenchman went hiking. The Italian says “I am tired and thirsty, I must have a glass of Chianti”. The German says “I am tired and thirsty, I must have a glass of beer”. The Frenchman says “I am tired and thirsty, I must have diabetes.”

All jokes aside, diabetes causes serious foot pain, loss of feeling, and foot problems that may lead to foot ulcers or an amputation. Diabetics should practice good foot health care on a daily basis; catching foot problems early, and taking preventative measures can prevent or delay the onset of detrimental outcomes.

There are a few habits to avoid, and general guidelines to follow that may help keep feet healthy and pain-free. By forming healthy habits most people can prevent any serious foot problems from occuring, and with quality brands like Aetrex, Drew, New Balance, and Propet, you won’t be limited in shoe styles.

Every day:
-Wear new socks, everyday.
-Inspect feet for cuts, calluses, corns, burns, and any other noticable changes.
-Keep feet dry.
-Shake out your shoes and use your hand to feel the inside before putting them on.
-Inspect your shoes (and wear diabetic shoes) before you slip them on.
-Always wear socks to bed, especially if it’s cold out.

Often:
-Cut toenails carefully. Try soaking your feet in lukewarm water before you cut your toenails. Always cut the nail straight across.
-Always pick up items off the floor and move anything you might trip over or bump your feet on.
-Regular exercise improves bone and joint health in feet and legs, as well as improves leg circulation.

What to Avoid:
-The wrong type of socks. Do not wear socks with tight elastic bands, thick socks, or bulky socks. Bad socks can interfer with proper circulation and irritate the skin.
-Walking barefoot is not an option, but comfortable house shoes or slippers are.
-Do not treat corns or calluses yourself, pay a visit to your doctor.
-No smoking. Avoid any habit that restricts blood flow to your feet.
-Be careful of getting your feet wet during the snow and rainy seasons.
-Dot not apply heating pads or hot water bottles to feet.

Look for the APMA seal for approved diabetic shoes and shop Healthyfeetstore.com‘s Diabetic Shoes and Footcare pages

HealthyFeetStore.com has added three new foot care products from Pro-Tec Athletics: the Ankle Sleeve, the Support for Achilles Tendonitis Treatment, and the Gel Force Ankle Support.  Like most items from Pro-Tec Athletics, these foot care products offer support, comfort and injury prevention.  They’re designed to minimize discomfort all while providing the right features so that recovery time is faster and more effective.  Pro-Tec Athletics foot care products are used by professional athletes and recommended by medical professionals – they’re not only beneficial to a variety of sport related markets, but also helpful for non-active people who may suffer the same injuries that athletes do.

Pro-Tec Athletics Gel Force Ankle Support
Ideal for mild to moderate ankle sprains, this ankle support has a unique design that consists of thick oval gels around the inside and outside areas of the ankle bone for comfort and stability.  The support has a 4-way stretch to contain inflammation and provide compression at the ankle to promote circulation to the injured area.  It also has spiral stays for medial and lateral stability.

Pro-Tec Athletics Support for Achilles Tendonitis Treatment
This support minimizes stress to the Achilles tendon.  It not only provides stabilization, but also compression to reduce inflammation or tenderness to the Achilles tendon.  The neoprene strap above the ankle bone has a stretch design for compression while an elastic strap wraps under the heel for a consistent lift that reduces strain to the tendon – ideal for Achilles Tendonitis treatment.

Pro-Tec Athletics Ankle Sleeve
Made with neoprene material, this sleeve offers warm therapy and compression to contain inflammation and keep ligaments flexible to reduce straining and tearing.  This ankle sleeve is lightweight and can easily be slipped on or off because it does not have a bulky or cumbersome design.  By wearing this ankle sleeve, one will gain support and reduce ankle pain caused by inversion injuries, sprains or strains.

Visit our Pro-Tec Athletics brands page for more foot care products.