What to do if a child's toenails break or break?

The separation and brittleness of the baby’s toenails is an unpleasant phenomenon that many parents face. In this article we will look at the main reasons that can cause such a problem, and also describe how to treat brittle nails.

The nail plate is a kind of indicator of human health. If a person is healthy, then his nails are in well-being. The slightest changes in metabolism, as well as many other factors can cause the nails to begin to wrinkle, delaminate. The age of the child does not matter much - At any age, as a result of nails, one can judge internal well-being.

If a child's nails on the legs exfoliate, break, then the search for the cause may take some time, because there are many options. Examples of some of the adverse factors that often lead to this phenomenon can be cited.

• Lack of calcium, phosphorus, essential vitamins, especially vitamin A and E. To establish the fact it is necessary to make a biochemical blood test, which with great accuracy will show which vitamins or minerals are missing.
• Anatomical defects in the location of the nail plates. In this case, the blood supply of the plates themselves deteriorates markedly, which leads to their fragility. For advice and appointment, go to the pediatric orthopedic surgeon.
• Injuries. Children are very mobile and restless, whether they are 2 years or 6 years. In the course of a moving game, they may not even pay attention to a blow with their nails about anything. The nail plate can crack, break. In the place of injury may appear cyanosis or a dark, almost black spot. Then in this place begins the bundle of the nail. It is revealed independently or on reception at the surgeon.

• Inconvenient shoes. Sometimes the nails are strongly exfoliated only because the child wears uncomfortable shoes, which puts pressure on the nails and leads gradually to their deformation. Dangerous deformation of not only the nails, but also of the feet. That is why it is urgently necessary to contact an orthopedist and inquire which shoes are best for a particular baby.
• Fungal infection. The notorious nail fungus does not spare either children or adults. Plates at the same time get a light yellowish or whitish shade. You need to contact the children's clinic to an infectious diseases specialist or a dermatologist who will prescribe antifungal treatment.
• Metabolic disorders. The reason is very voluminous. Anemia, latent diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, parasites in the intestines, and problems with the thyroid gland and adrenal glands can also lead to the separation of nails. The search for the true cause of this series must begin with a visit to the pediatrician.
• Insufficient care. The child’s nails should be trimmed in a timely manner, and the child should not be washed every day from spontaneous breaking. The cause is established and resolved on its own.

It makes sense to start treatment only after the reason that led to such a symptom becomes known. Otherwise, the treatment will turn into a long-lasting and very likely unsuccessful struggle with the manifestation of the disease or disorder, and not with the disease as such.

When avitaminosis is detected, the child is prescribed vitamin preparations or calcium preparations, if hypocalcemia is established. The course of treatment usually gives positive results.

The treatment of the fungus is very long and painstaking. Fix the problem quickly will not work. Therapy includes several courses with short breaks. In addition to fulfilling medical recommendations, mom and dad will have to sanitize everything the child has been in contact with — bed, toys, carpet on the floor, and so on. Then positive results will be achieved on average in 3-4 months.

It is mandatory that when any of the causes are detected, the child is prescribed nutrition correction. In the diet of the baby you need to add more milk, cheese, cottage cheese, dried apricots and cereal cereals.

To help parents come and achievements of traditional medicine. But they cannot replace or replace traditional treatment. But they can perfectly complement it, naturally, with the permission of the attending physician.

1. Footbaths - It is best to use a decoction of celandine, chamomile and sea salt.
2. Garlic lotions - garlic clove rubbed, mixed with a teaspoon of salt and the same amount of water. With this mixture, the folded or broken nail is smeared several times a day.
3. Oil solutions of vitamins A and E - sold in a pharmacy, mixed in equal parts and applied to the nail plate every day before bed and in the morning.
4. Vegetable oils. It is very useful to rub olive and peach oil into your nails.

The well-known pediatrician Yevgeny Komarovsky argues that to sit at home with such a problem as the separation of nails and brittle nails and guessing the reasons is a parental crime. Most of the reasons are identified through tests, so you need as soon as possible to take the child and lead to the children's clinic for examination. All causes are removable, respond well to treatment, but do not hesitate with therapy.

After treatment, parents should make every effort in order to wean the child nibbling on his fingernails, manually breaking his toenails. Otherwise, the problem will repeat with enviable regularity.

About fungal infections on the nails in children, see the following video.