In the world of little feet, where every step is an adventure, it's crucial to understand not just what children should wear on their feet, but also how best to ward off toe and feet infections.
Today, we're unpacking the not-so-merry journey of how a simple athlete's foot infection can turn into something more stubborn and unsightly: fungal nails. Athlete's foot is a fungal infection that commonly affects the feet. It can cause dryness, itching, redness and peeling skin.
At Start-Rite Shoes, we’re not just passionate about fitting your child's feet with the perfect shoes; we're here to ensure those tiny toes remain as healthy as they are happy.
While toenails might at first seem tough, they're not invincible against the fungal bacteria and organisms that cause athlete's foot. That itchy, pesky skin condition doesn’t always confine itself to the skin’s surface. Given the chance, it creeps under the toenails, thriving in their warm, protected environment, and thus, fungal nails are born. But what exactly is causing athlete’s foot in the first place?
Imagine wrapping your feet in a thick blanket on a hot day. That’s how your feet feel in non-breathable or too-tight shoes, creating a sweatbox perfect for the fungi that cause athlete’s foot to multiply in. That’s why it’s crucial to choose the right footwear: a pair that offers not just comfort and fit, but also breathability and good airflow.
This is even more important for shoes that are worn for prolonged periods of time, for example school shoes. That’s why we developed our trusted Air-Rite technology – designed to keep sweaty feet at bay by allowing air to flow around the foot, without affecting the shoe’s ability to cope with wet weather conditions.
Thanks to our pioneering research, we know exactly where children's feet get hot and have innovated our designs to allow air to flow to the right areas. Our Air-Rite school shoes support the body's natural temperature regulation system whilst allowing the shoe to cope with a variety of terrains and weather conditions.
Check out our blog to discover if sweaty feet are normal and understand how best to combat sweaty feet, ensuring your child’s shoes are helping rather than hindering their foot health.
Next, let's touch upon a topic that's a tad ticklish—foot hygiene. Skipping washes or not thoroughly drying feet between the toes creates a playground for fungi.
Teaching children the importance of foot cleanliness from a young age is not just about avoiding odours; it's an important step in the battle against bacterial and fungal invaders. A simple routine of washing and drying feet is often the best shield for keeping tiny toes healthy.
Those delightful puddle-splashing adventures or tiptoes through public pools can, unfortunately, open the fungal floodgates. The act of sharing footwear, socks, towels or nail care equipment can also cause infection, sneaking fungus into the nails. This is why personal items should remain just that—personal–and walking in communal areas is a venture best tackled with protective footwear or special socks.
Remember, fungal nail infections, like many foot conditions, are easier to prevent than to treat. By paying attention to the types of shoes your child wears, maintaining good foot hygiene and minimising exposure to potentially infectious situations, you’re setting the stage for healthy feet.
In fostering an environment where tiny feet can embark on life’s adventures free from pesky fungal infections and itchy athletes’ foot — you can ensure your little one continues to skip, hop and jump with joy whilst enjoying fantastic foot health.
We ensure every Start-Rite shoe is made to help children feel comfortable and confident with every step. Our cutting-edge technology and innovation promote a seamless relationship between the foot and the body, to support children as they grow. With premium leathers and durable materials, you can be confident that Start-Rite footwear will last until they are outgrown.
Step towards better foot health with Start-Rite, where every shoe tells a story of care, comfort and protection.
