The height of a person's foot arch varies from nearly none in the case of flat feet to abnormally high in the case of Charcot syndrome. The arches change during childhood and can change again as the years go by. Typically, they become lower (the feet become flatter) with age.

The arches are not fully developed until four to six years of age. Parents should check their children's feet occasionally, to see how they are developing. If a child complains of pain in the calves, knees or the feet, the problem could be that the arches are not developing properly. Shoes with a good arch support should relieve the pain.

Unless a person is extremely flat-footed, going barefoot on a sandy beach is a good workout for the muscles and may help relieve minor aches and pains, as time goes by. Wearing flip flops or other thin shoes on a regular basis, particularly for long periods of time, is bad for the health of the feet. The results could be injury, pain or fallen arches.

Children with flat feet may eventually develop arches, if given the proper support. When a person becomes flat-footed during adulthood, the feet typically remain flat.

As the foot arch allows for regular flexing and reduces the energy used during running or walking, losing them causes problems. Fallen arches result in pain during walking and increased fatigue.

It is still possible to provide the support that was once provided by the arches, with a good insert or insole. If they are designed correctly, they will reduce arch pain and fatigue.

Conditions that can lead to fallen arches include arthritis in the knees and ankles. Illness, injury or prolonged stress, such as spending hours a day walking on hard surfaces, can also precipitate the condition.

If you do walk a great deal or spend a lot of time on your feet, you need to think about supporting your foot arch and doing other things to keep your feet healthy for life. Here are a few suggestions to reduce arch pain.

To prevent fungal infections, which can be difficult to treat, always wear dry, clean socks and alternate your footwear during the summer, to allow them time to "dry out". Fungus can only live in dark moist environments.

Look for a good spa and get regular pedicures or do your own at home. Just be sure that the tools you use are cleaned regularly and don't "share" with other family members. It allows for the spread of viral and fungal infections.

To support the health of your foot arch, always wear shoes with a thick sole. If the insoles are not good, make sure they are removable. Choose shoes that have extra depth to accommodate insoles for your arches.

To protect the health of your toes and reduce your risk of bunions, corns or calluses, choose styles that have a wide (not a pointy) toe box. When you wear high heels, use a specially designed insole that provides support for the foot arch and cushions the ball of the foot. Treat your feet with and you'll have fewer problems as you get older.

recommends everyone take foot care seriously, because minor problems today can turn into surgery tomorrow.