Warts, ingrown toenails, and foot pain bring thousands of adults to doctors' offices every day. But according to new survey results released by APMA, many health-conscious parents don't have high standards of foot health when it comes to their children's feet. In fact, survey results indicated only 25 percent of parents have taken their children to a podiatrist for treatment of foot ailments.
 

The survey, taken from a group of 620 parents with children under age 18, found that 35 percent of those surveyed would not be motivated to take their child to a medical professional if their child complained of foot or leg pain. Furthermore, only 49 percent would take their child to a podiatrist's office for ingrown toenails.

"This new information proves that many parents still aren't aware of two important things: prompt examination of a child's foot ailments, and having the examination performed by a podiatrist," said APMA President Ross Taubman, DPM. "Remember-foot pain is not normal. It is very important that parents understand the vital role a podiatrist has in diagnosing and treating all kinds of pediatric foot conditions."

When parents do choose to bring their child to a professional to resolve foot problems, nearly 48 percent said their child was treated by a professional other than a podiatrist.

One reason parents may not be attentive enough to their children's foot care is a lack of understanding of many key foot ailments. Just 20 percent of moms and dads surveyed said they have dealt with sports injuries affecting their children's feet. Even fewer (10 percent) said they have attended to potentially painful warts.