Selecting the right shoes for your baby’s first steps is important for healthy foot development. For a typical foot, the best choice is a lightweight shoe with a wide toe box, flexible structure, and a minimalist sole to encourage natural movement. For a foot with low muscle tone, shoes should still be lightweight with a wide toe box, but include a firm heel cup, a higher toe box for extra space, and a high top design to provide added support and stability. A podiatrist can guide parents in choosing the right footwear to support proper growth, prevent future issues, and address any concerns about development. If you notice your child has foot pain, it is suggested that you contact this type of doctor who can accurately diagnose the condition, offer effective treatment solutions, and guide you toward choosing the correct shoes.

Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact one of our podiatrists of Community Foot Specialists. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Keeping Children's Feet Healthy

Having healthy feet during childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care. Here are some things to consider...

Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.

Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet.

Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable.

As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age, toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’. 

As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet.

Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus.

Be watchful for any pain or injury.

Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible.

Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Beavercreek, Dayton, and Vandalia, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Athlete's foot is a fungal infection that affects the feet, particularly the soles and the spaces between the toes.  Symptoms include scaling, which can vary from mild redness and itching, to severe cracking and painful blisters. As the athlete's foot infection progresses, the skin may become thickened, and, in some cases, it can lead to bacterial infections, especially in older adults or those with poor circulation. The fungus thrives in moist, warm environments, such as communal showers or areas where individuals walk barefoot. Wearing tight shoes can also increase the risk. Diagnosis is typically made through a visual examination, though a skin scraping may be taken for further analysis, if needed. A podiatrist can provide effective treatment with antifungal medications applied to the affected area or taken orally in more severe cases. If you have a stubborn athlete's foot infection, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for advanced treatment.

Athlete’s foot is an inconvenient condition that can be easily reduced with the proper treatment. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact one of our podiatrists from Community Foot Specialists.  Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Athlete’s Foot: The Sole Story

Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, can be an extremely contagious foot infection. It is commonly contracted in public changing areas and bathrooms, dormitory style living quarters, around locker rooms and public swimming pools, or anywhere your feet often come into contact with other people.

Solutions to Combat Athlete’s Foot

• Hydrate your feet by using lotion
• Exfoliate
• Buff off nails
• Use of anti-fungal products
• Examine your feet and visit your doctor if any suspicious blisters or cuts develop

Athlete’s foot can cause many irritating symptoms such as dry and flaking skin, itching, and redness. Some more severe symptoms can include bleeding and cracked skin, intense itching and burning, and even pain when walking. In the worst cases, Athlete’s foot can cause blistering as well. Speak to your podiatrist for a better understanding of the different causes of Athlete’s foot, as well as help in determining which treatment options are best for you.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Beavercreek, Dayton, and Vandalia, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Clubfoot, or congenital talipes equinovarus, is a foot deformity present at birth that causes the baby’s foot to point downward and inward. Clubfoot affects the bones, muscles, and tendons in the foot and ankle, resulting in stiffness and limited mobility. Several types of clubfoot may be seen in infants. Positional clubfoot is caused by the foot being held in an unusual position in the womb but does not involve abnormal bone structure. Idiopathic clubfoot has no known cause and varies in severity, with untreated cases often requiring more intensive care. A podiatrist can help evaluate the type and severity of clubfoot and determine whether a course of casting, bracing, or surgery is needed. If your newborn is diagnosed with a foot deformity, it is suggested that you make an immediate appointment with a podiatrist for an exam and treatment plan.

Congenital foot problems require immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of Community Foot Specialists. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Congenital foot problems are deformities affecting the feet, toes, and/or ankles that children are born with. Some of these conditions have a genetic cause while others just happen. Some specific foot ailments that children may be born with include clubfeet, polydactyly/macrodactyly, and cleft foot. There are several other foot anomalies that can occur congenitally. What all of these conditions have in common is that a child may experience difficulty walking or performing everyday activities, as well as trouble finding footwear that fits their foot deformity. Some of these conditions are more serious than others. Consulting with a podiatrist as early as possible will help in properly diagnosing a child’s foot condition while getting the necessary treatment underway.

What are Causes of Congenital Foot Problem?

A congenital foot problem is one that happens to a child at birth. These conditions can be caused by a genetic predisposition, developmental or positional abnormalities during gestation, or with no known cause.

What are Symptoms of Congenital Foot Problems?

Symptoms vary by the congenital condition. Symptoms may consist of the following:

• Clubfoot, where tendons are shortened, bones are shaped differently, and the Achilles tendon is tight, causing the foot to point in and down. It is also possible for the soles of the feet to face each other.
• Polydactyly, which usually consists of a nubbin or small lump of tissue without a bone, a toe that is partially formed but has no joints, or an extra toe.
• Vertical talus, where the talus bone forms in the wrong position causing other bones in the foot to line up improperly, the front of the foot to point up, and the bottom of the foot to stiffen, with no arch, and to curve out.
• Tarsal coalition, when there is an abnormal connection of two or more bones in the foot leading to severe, rigid flatfoot.
• Cleft foot, where there are missing toes, a V-shaped cleft, and other anatomical differences.
• Macrodactyly, when the toes are abnormally large due to overgrowth of the underlying bone or soft tissue.

Treatment and Prevention

While there is nothing one can do to prevent congenital foot problems, raising awareness and receiving neonatal screenings are important. Early detection by taking your child to a podiatrist leads to the best outcome possible.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Beavercreek, Dayton, and Vandalia, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Toenail fungus, also known as onychomycosis, is an infection that affects the nail bed and causes the nail to become thickened, discolored, brittle, and sometimes painful. It develops when fungi enter the nail through small cracks or separations, often thriving in warm and moist environments like shoes and public locker rooms. Common causes include prolonged exposure to damp conditions, poor foot hygiene, and a weakened immune system. A podiatrist can diagnose the infection, provide treatments such as topical or oral medications, perform nail debridement, and offer preventive care to stop the recurrence of toenail fungus. If you have symptoms of toenail fungus, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can offer appropriate treatment solutions.

For more information about treatment, contact one of our podiatrists of Community Foot Specialists. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Toenail Fungus Treatment

Toenail fungus is a condition that affects many people and can be especially hard to get rid of. Fortunately, there are several methods to go about treating and avoiding it.

Antifungals & Deterrence

Oral antifungal medicine has been shown to be effective in many cases. It is important to consult with a podiatrist to determine the proper regiment for you, or potentially explore other options.

Applying foot powder on the feet and shoes helps keep the feet free of moisture and sweat.

Sandals or open toed shoes – Wearing these will allow air movement and help keep feet dry. They also expose your feet to light, which fungus cannot tolerate. Socks with moisture wicking material also help as well.

If you have any questions please contact our offices located in Beavercreek, Dayton, and Vandalia, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.