A little over a year ago I became a new mom. When you’re a new parent, everyone always wants to tell you about their parenting techniques, horror stories, and tricks of the trade.  One concern I would continuously hear from these stories is how no one ever liked trimming the newborns fingers or toenails. I was told “Be sure you do it while their sleeping or else you’ll never get it done.” As well as “I was SO nervous to trim their nails I had to have someone else do it!” I had never realized what a fuss toenail trimming could cause.

Sure enough my time came when I had to trim my son’s nails. I was a little anxious at first just due to all the negative comments I had received over the past few months.  But I did indeed trim all of Mason’s nails without any major problems. 

When my son was about 2.5 months old I was hired on as a Medical Assistant at Heartland Foot and Ankle Associates. After just one day of assisting Dr. Lockwood with patients, I learned the importance of trimming toenails straight across.  I kept hearing Dr. Lockwood emphasize to her patients that when you trim toenails straight across you are training the nail to grow straight and not curve in, hence lessening the probability of getting ingrown toenails.

Besides improper trimming of toenails, ingrown toenails can also be inherited.  I personally have a history of ingrown toenails and have experienced their pain.  I knew that I wanted to do everything I could to keep from son from dealing with that same pain. 

Just a day or two after learning about ingrown toenails from Dr. Lockwood it was time for my son to have his nails trimmed. As I sat there going slower and meticulously trimming my son’s nails I kept thinking about what Dr. Lockwood had said the few days before:
Okay Natalie- trim straight across to keep your little boy from potential ingrown nails that hurt. 

Mason is a little over a year now and I informed/trained everyone that would potentially be trimming his nails on how to properly do it.  It might take just a little more time, but it is definitely worth decreasing the risk of ingrown toenails.

If you or your child has an ingrown toenail make sure you schedule an appointment immediaty to prevent more pain and possible infection. 

The other day, I was cleaning the kitchen when I noticed that my house was VERY quiet considering I have a 3 year old daughter. After calling my daughter, Maddie, several times with no response, I went to look for her. Imagine my surprise to find her in the bathroom "painting" her toenails.  Maddie not only had polish all over her toes, feet, and legs, but also across the floor and walls of my bathroom.  As any mother would instinctively do, I panicked thinking of all the chemicals and toxins that my daughter had painted all over herself.  There’s a reason small children and pregnant women aren’t supposed to use nail polish!  Just as I was about to call poison control, my panic was subsided as I saw the polish Maddie was using: Dr.’s Remedy Enriched Nail Polish. 

I was instantly relieved because I know that Dr.’s Remedy is all natural, unlike all those other regular nail polishes at the drug store.  Some of the scary stuff regular polish has is formaldehyde, a chemical that has been proven to cause cancer; DBP, a potential developmental and reproductive toxin that has been linked to birth defects and is banned in Europe; and toluene, a chemical the EPA restricts in our drinking water.  Dr.’s Remdy includes none of the above! It actually contains vitamins and wheat protein, to promote stronger nails and naturally increase shine.

I have now thrown out all the "bad" bottles of nail polish and have stocked up on Dr.’s Remedy Enriched Nail Polish.  With over two dozen shades, I have a color to match every outfit and the security of knowing that this polish is safe for me AND my 3 year old daughter.  I also have Dr.’s Remedy all natural acetone free polish remover, so I can safely remove Maddie’s full body pedicure.   So if this ever happens again (and I’m sure it will!) I know Maddie will be "painting" with an all natural product so no harm can be done… to my daughter at least. Now my bathroom is another story!

If you have a mini-Picasso at home, or just want a natural safe nail polish, stop by Heartland Foot and Ankle Associates. 

Children’s feet may be small, but unless adults consider the specific needs of young walkers, problems for those children may loom large. Shoes will protect children's feet, but if fit incorrectly, they can do more harm than good. A few simple guidelines for determining proper size and type of shoe along with professional care can help you get the right fit for your growing children.

When a child first begins to walk, shoes are not necessary for the indoors. Shoes may even impede a child's development and progress.  Allowing toddlers to go barefoot or to wear just socks helps the foot to grow normally and to develop its musculature and strength, as well as the grasping action of toes. When walking outside however, babies' feet should be protected in lightweight, flexible footwear made of natural materials.

The feet of young children may be unstable because of muscle problems which may make walking difficult or uncomfortable. A pediatric examination by a podiatrist may detect any underlying defects or conditions which may require immediate treatment or consultation.

Once the child is ready for shoes, to get the right size, make sure there is 1/2″ space between the child’s longest toe and the end of the shoe. Remember that it’s natural for small children to curl their toes when trying on new shoes. To get the right width, make sure you can pinch a small amount of the shoe’s material across the top of the foot. If you have a toddler, check shoe fit every three or four months since children’s feet grow rapidly.

The type of shoe you pick is important to ensure proper fit. Shoes should have thin, soft soles and be flexible enough to bend very easily across the ball of the foot. Flexible soles help children develop their sense of balance.   Do not assume a given size will fit the same for different brands of shoes. Avoid man-made materials because they limit breathability. Hand me down clothes are great—but not shoes. Second hand shoes can create improper balance because they may have worn out unevenly by the previous owner.

Some foot problems require professional help. Infants’ feet that curve excessively inwards or outwards can be corrected with shoes that are modified and fitted with arch support. By age three, when children develop a heel to toe gait, excessively flat feet should be fit by a podiatrist with a custom molded shoe insert (orthotic) or a pre-fabricated insert to assist bones to develop in correct alignment. Infants and toddlers feet are normally fat, flat and flexible. Normally, these qualities decrease until about age seven.

Children’s feet grow rapidly during the first year, sometimes reaching almost half their adult foot size. This is why I consider the first year to be the most important in the development of the feet. With a well coordinated effort between parents, myself, and shoe fitters, you can ensure that your child gets the right shoe to keep them happy and active as they grow and play!

For more information about properly fitting your children for shoes or if your children are having foot problems, please contact Dr. Melissa Lockwood at 309-661-9975.

Oh, those dreaded back to school shopping lists!  For some of us, the idea of buying all those supplies again can be a real drag.  For others, (including myself!) shopping for a new school year is symbolic of a fresh start – both academically and for our feet!!  Make sure to pick up a good structured gym shoe for your active student.  A properly made shoe will:

• last longer
• provide more support and ultimately student’s who are in the correct size and type of shoe have fewer injuries!

Some quick tips:

1.  Have your children’s feet measured every 6 months – those toes grow and they will often need 1-3 pairs of shoes for gym class each school year.  Tight shoes can lead to ingrown toenails.  Worn out shoes can lead to ankle injuries from the lack of support. 
2. Measure feet in the afternoon – everyone’s feet swell, even kids!  So make sure to perform those shoe shopping tasks in the afternoon! 
3. For specific sports, look to your coach, trainer, and podiatrist for guidance on what to purchase.  There are some great shoes for basketball that might work well for tennis – but neither beats a well made soccer cleat on the field. 

Call (309) 661-9975 or set up an appointment with Dr. Lockwood to get your child ready to strut the school halls!