16/08/2026
New school shoes bought in a hurry are how September starts for a lot of the children we see. Ten minutes in the shop fixes most of it:
1. Measure both feet, standing, in school socks. Fit the bigger one.
2. A thumb's width at the toe. Room to grow, not room to slide.
3. Laces, straps or a buckle. Slip-ons make the toes grip all day.
4. Firm heel, and a sole that bends at the ball of the foot, not the middle.
5. PE trainers and socks get the same rules. Recheck every term, growth comes in bursts.
The one habit that prevents ingrown toenails: cut nails straight across, not too short, and never dig down the sides. Tight shoes, sport and a growth spurt do the rest. If the edge of a big toenail goes red, swollen or sore, come early. A first episode is usually settled in one visit, and if it keeps coming back we fix it properly under local anaesthetic, children and teenagers included, parents in the room.
Full checklist and the signs to watch: lower-limb.com/conditions/ingrown-nail (link in bio)
