If our teeth were as neglected as our feet we'd all be wearing dentures.
Yet it's easy and not at all time-consuming to keep feet healthy - yours and those of the child in your care - and keep a smile on the faces of you both.
There are 26 bones, 33 joints, 19 muscles and 107 ligaments in our feet, which gives plenty of scope for things to go wrong. Feet are the unglamorous outpost of body upkeep, and yet painful feet will make your day a misery, and even a little blister or stinging corn is bound to ruin a good night out. The child in your care will also suffer if her feet don't feature in your day-to-day routine. Ill-fitting shoes cause long-term problems for children, which can mean that as adults they will have trouble finding comfortable shoes, being able to play sport or walking for long distances with ease.
A nanny's job is not desk-bound - a real plus in the health stakes, providing you take care of your feet. If you were to attach a pedometer to the waistband of your jeans on any given day you'd probably be surprised how much energy you expend just chasing after the children and going about your business. This can take its toll on your feet in a way you may not notice for some time.
HOW TO TREAT TRAINERS
Wearing trainers as part of your working outfit may keep you feeling smug, as well as comfortable, but wearing the same pair day in and day out subjects your feet to an identical and monotonous pattern of wear and tear.
However happy you are with your choice of trainer, you should chop and change with other footwear on a one-day-on, one-day-off basis. This gives the shoes time to dry out and 'air' and helps prevent infections like athlete's foot. As trainers are made from synthetic fibres, you may want to spray their insides with a deodorising spray or sprinkle with talc, although this is not a substitute for giving them a rest. Trainers work best with thin cotton socks which let feet breathe, rather than bare feet which can become sore and chafed, or thick, synthetic socks which cause a build-up of heat, sweat and infections. If you stick to this simple routine you will avoid following in the smelly footsteps of pop star Britney Spears, who was asked to put her shoes back on during a transatlantic flight after several passengers complained of the disgusting odour.
High heels, pointy toes, massive wedges and other interesting fashion statements are best kept for off-duty hours. There is plenty you can do to in the way of comfort while wearing them. When you know you have a long walk before you arrive at your venue, try wearing trainers and taking the shoes in your bag to change into. This is something New Yorkers have been in the habit of for years, and it lets you arrive on time looking ready for action rather than hobbling in with a pained expression. Helpfully, too, bigger bags are in vogue again, so you can stash the trainers away when you arrive.
You could also invest in some gel 'cushions' for more support. Profoot's 24 Hour Feet consists of two thin transparent pads that you position under the balls of your feet. The surface of each pad contains hundreds of tiny 'bobbles' that are designed to help prevent the aching sensation you get from being on your feet for long periods. The pads (priced 3.99 from pharmacies) are washable and suitable for sandals, boots, slip-ons and high heels, and they can be transferred from shoe to shoe. There are other products in this range to counteract knee pain, sore toes and other foot nasties.
CHILDREN UNDERFOOT
According to the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists, 83 per cent of children start school wearing shoes that are too small, and this presents a risk of long-term damage to their feet. Children are born with soft and flexible cartilage that gradually converts to bone as they age. This means that while they are young their feet are relatively vulnerable and can be permanently distorted by badly fitting shoes.
If you are in charge of shoe buying for the children you care for, it is more important to find the right shop than the most fashionable style.
Traditional shoe shops or department stores with a children's shoe section should employ trained fitters, and their certificates will be up on the wall to prove it. Take the child along on a weekday when the store is less busy and make sure she is wearing properly fitting socks that haven't shrunk in the wash or lost their heel support. When the assistant measures her feet, the child should be standing up straight with heels well back into the foot gauge. Different brands of shoes come up larger or smaller, according to style, and the assistant should be familiar with this.
Leather is the best option because it has a 'breathable', flexible quality.
Trainers with leather or natural fibre uppers are also a good choice.
Slip-ons and synthetic shoes lack support and create the ideal conditions for athlete's foot. Allowing children (and you) to go without shoes is a good idea, if the surface they are playing on is warm and clean. Before they run barefoot in a public park, check that dogs have not been in the area, and have some wet wipes ready for when it's time to put shoes back on. Daily bathing, followed by careful drying between the toes is a must, as is a weekly nail trim. Nails should be cut after a bath to make it easier and in a straight-across shape to prevent them becoming ingrown.
FOOT FITNESS
There are a number of easy but effective exercises you can do together: * Stretch out toes and wriggle them around to increase flexibility.
* Rotate ankles ten times one way and ten times in reverse to prevent stress from high heels and to strengthen ankles.
* Roll feet backwards and forwards over a tennis ball to strengthen ankles and relieve fatigue. Replace the ball with a cold can of drink if you're hot and bothered.
* Stand upright and use your toes to pick up a scrunched up ball of paper; repeat five times for each foot to strengthen bones and increase flexibility.
* Half-fill a bowl of cool water with marbles or ornamental stones and roll your feet over them and try to pick them up with your toes. Take turns.
CONTACTS
* The Society of Chiropodists & Podiatrists, 020 7234 8620, www.feetforlife.org
* Profoot, 020 8492 1600, www.profoot.co.uk
