If you have kids, you’re probably aware of how much they love to run around and explore. This article covers some helpful tips on how to relieve foot pain at night in children and why do children experience foot pain at night only.

They’ll spend hours outside exploring the world around them. The unfortunate part about children exploring is that it comes with its own set of risks. Your child may end up injuring themselves or strain a muscle from all their running around. Fortunately, there are a few things parents can do to prevent your child from developing foot pain at night so that these issues don’t become chronic problems for your child later on in life. Keep reading to find out how you can relieve your child’s foot pain at night!

Why Do Children Experience Foot Pain at Night only?

Even before you try to figure out ways to help you child with foot problem, it is important to identify why do children experience foot pain at night? Childhood foot pain can occur at any time, but it is more common in the evening. This is because the feet are usually placed in different positions at night (including one or both feet being bound with a blanket). In addition, the foot can be elevated to improve comfort during sleep. It is important to identify exact cause of your child. The main causes of nighttime foot pain include –

• Long physical activities – Foot pain due to growing pains is more likely to happen after a long day of physical activity or child’s walking a lot.
• Poor posture – A child’s feet are often placed in an unnatural position while sleeping, which may cause discomfort and lead to foot pain.
• Footwear – Shoes that are too tight or poorly fitting may put pressure on a child’s feet and cause discomfort throughout the night. If a child’s feet feel uncomfortable while wearing shoes, he or she should try another pair until a better fit is found.
• Smaller feet – When a child’s feet are smaller than average, they might experience more pressure on the arch as they sit or stand. This can lead to pain when the arch begins to collapse under stress.
• Dehydration – Children who are not drinking enough water at night may develop foot pain due to poor circulation.
• Overheating – Kids who are sweating a lot at night, or wearing too many clothes, will end up overheating their feet and causing blisters. This can also cause painful swelling.

Nighttime foot pain could be caused by a variety of factors, including –

• Plantar warts
• Blisters
• Callus formation
• Skin disorders such as eczema or psoriasis

6 tips on how to relieve foot pain at night in children

Make a Schedule

If you notice your child is experiencing foot pain at night, the first thing you should do is make an appointment with their pediatrician. If you can find a pattern to when the pain is occurring, your doctor can help determine if there is an underlying issue causing your child’s discomfort. Your doctor may recommend stretching exercises for your child’s muscles and maybe even orthotics for their shoes. They may also advise you to make sure your child is getting enough rest.

If your child’s foot pain is occurring due to a specific activity or trauma, your doctor may refer you to a specialist. If you have a child who has a consistent foot pain, the best thing to do is get them in a schedule. Try to keep their foot pain from interfering with their activities and make sure they get plenty of rest. A routine can help prevent your child from getting overworked and stressed. In turn, this can help prevent chronic foot pain and other foot issues from developing.

Replace Shoes Often

When purchasing shoes for your child, it may be tempting to get them shoes that are a little too big. This is because most parents want to make sure their kids can fit in the shoes for as long as possible. While this may seem like a good idea, the reality is that shoes that are too big for your child can cause them to develop foot pain. The best thing to do is purchase shoes that are the correct size for your child’s foot. If the shoes are a little too small, you can use a shoe stretcher to make them bigger.

If you’re purchasing shoes for an active child, consider purchasing them running shoes. Running shoes are supportive shoes designed to provide your child with the support they need while they’re running around and playing during high-impact sports. Avoid purchasing shoes with lots of extra support. While this may feel like a good idea, it can cause your child’s foot to twist and shift, which can cause pain.

Stretch and Stretch Again

As your child experiences growth spurts and starts developing muscles, it’s important for them to stretch their muscles. You may want to consider stretching with your child as well. Stretching can help prevent muscle strains, cramps, and other foot issues from developing. If your child has been diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, you can use ice and stretching to help relieve their pain.

Start by having your child sit down with their legs crossed. Next, have them place an ice pack on the bottom of their foot for about 20 minutes. Once the ice has been applied, have your child slowly and gently stretch their foot forward and upward. After stretching, have your child sit back down with their legs crossed and repeat the ice application process.

Use Over-the-Counter Medications

If you child is experiencing foot pain at night only, it is important to identify the painful area. First start by simple home remedies of applying heat pack or use hot water bottles. If your child has been diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, they may benefit from using over-the-counter (OTC) medications. There are a few OTC medications that have been shown to help relieve foot pain or reduce the major impact of pain.

In majority of the cases, one medication that has proven to help relieve foot pain is naproxen sodium (Aleve). Naproxen sodium is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can help relieve pain and promote healing. Another OTC medication that has shown to help relieve foot pain is ibuprofen (Advil). Ibuprofen is also an NSAID.

You may want to consult with your child’s pediatrician before giving them any medications, though. Some medications are not recommended for children and may cause harm. If your child is experiencing chronic foot pain at night only, your doctor may recommend prescribing them a stronger medication.

Try Taping

If the pain in your child’s foot is severe or causing their walking to be painful, you may want to consider taping their foot. Taping your child’s foot can help relieve pain and swelling, which can make walking easier. You can also use taping to keep your child’s foot and toes in a neutral position. The best type of tape to use on your child’s foot and toes is athletic tape. You can tape the toes so they’re pointing straight down and the heel is slightly lifted. Before taping your child’s foot, make sure to clean and dry the area thoroughly.

Foot Care at Night Before Bed

If your child is experiencing foot problems, they may be lying in bed at night with clenched fists. This is because they’re trying to relieve some of the pressure from the pain in their foot. While it’s great that your child is trying to relieve pain, it can cause problems for their hands and wrists. You may want to purchase some hand and wrist braces for your child. These braces can help relieve pain caused by clenching their fists. Additionally, you may want to consider putting a soft mat in your child’s bed. This mat can help cushion your child’s foot from the pain caused by walking on the floor.

Conclusion

As a parent, you want to make sure your child is healthy, happy, and thriving. This can be difficult when you have a child who is experiencing foot pain at night only. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to help relieve foot pain in children. You can make sure your child is getting enough rest, replace their shoes often, and make sure they are stretching.

You may also want to try taping for severe pain. With these tips in mind, you’re sure to make sure your child’s foot pain doesn’t become a persistent pain. For any medical problems, it is important that you visit your child’s doctor for proper treatment. In some cases for proper diagnosis your pediatrician would recommend physical examination of your child’s bones and give medical advice for specific treatment.