Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is a viral infection that is common among children under the age of five. Symptoms of this disease include mouth sores and rashes on both the hands and feet. People with hand-foot-and-mouth disease should be especially careful because the disease is highly contagious through person-to-person contact. Outbreaks for this disease, also known as coxsackievirus, commonly occur during the late summer and early fall. If you are a parent, you should be diligent about your child’s hygiene during this time of year; with summer camps ending and the school year starting, your child will come in contact with many other children who could have the disease.

Making sure that your children maintain good foot health is very important as they grow. If you have any questions, contact Dr. LeKeisha George from Forest Hills Podiatric Medical Care. Dr. George 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 Forest Hills, NY. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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