The immune system of a small child is not yet fully formed, therefore, the baby is exposed to a large number of various infections , including fungal ones.
The disease has a gradual course; in the early stages of development, curing nail fungus in a child is quite simple. Therefore, parents need to know about the first signs of a fungal infection in order to take the necessary measures to eliminate it in time.
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Toenail fungus in children - photo:
Absolutely yes. A fungal infection affecting a child's nails is quite common . This is due to the imperfection of the baby’s immune system, and, as a result, the high sensitivity of his body to various types of infections.
However, fungal nail infections are somewhat less common in children than in adults (15-20% of children from toddlers to adolescence).
It is known that in regions with temperate climatic conditions, cases of the disease are more common, since children have to wear warm shoes for a large amount of time , in which their feet sweat; such conditions are considered favorable for the active reproduction of the fungus.
The root cause of the development of onychomycosis (fungus) is an infectious lesion of the nails. Infection, active reproduction and vital activity of a pathogenic microorganism is possible upon the occurrence of factors and conditions favorable to it , which include:
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Fungal nail infection is a disease that manifests itself with a whole set of characteristic symptoms. The clinical picture of the disease includes such manifestations as:
Symptoms of the disease develop rapidly , the disease progresses until the nail plate is completely destroyed.
The infection quickly spreads to adjacent nails.
There are several forms of onychomycosis:
The disease has a gradual course and develops gradually. At the first stage, the nail plate loses its transparency, becomes thinner, and flakes, while maintaining its integrity.
The second stage is characterized by the appearance of yellow spots of different sizes, loss of smoothness of the nail plate, and its slight thickening.
At the third stage, significant deformation processes are observed, destruction of the nail plate, its thickening, separation from the skin, the nail changes color and becomes completely opaque.
It often seems that a fungal infection does not pose a serious danger to the baby’s health (with the exception of a cosmetic defect). However, it is not.
The fungus spreads at high speed throughout the body, first affecting the lymphatic system, then entering the blood.
As a result of this, the natural defenses of the child’s body are reduced, the child often gets sick, which negatively affects his general health, because viral and infectious diseases can provoke the development of serious consequences .
When the first signs of damage to the nail plate appear, it is necessary to show the child to a specialist. Based on a visual examination, the doctor will determine the presence of a fungal infection.
The pathogen that caused the development of the disease can be identified using a special laboratory examination of the nail plate.
To carry out the analysis, a small piece of the patient’s nail is taken and examined microscopically.
How to treat? To treat nail fungus in a child on the hands or feet, various types of topical medications are used. These medications are available in various forms:
Currently, an integrated approach to the treatment of nail fungus is being practiced. This means that in addition to external use, medications are also used for oral administration.
Most often these are drugs that help strengthen the body's immune system, as well as antibiotics to destroy fungal infections.
This approach helps achieve faster and more effective therapeutic results.
How to cure at home? Traditional medicine is used quite often to treat nail fungus in children.
Of course, their effectiveness as an independent treatment has not been proven, however, for the prevention of fungal infection, the use of folk recipes is very justified.
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To prevent the development of a fungal infection, it is necessary to teach the child to observe the rules of personal hygiene , to use only his own things and shoes.
If a child visits a public swimming pool or shower, he should not stand on the floor with bare feet.
If the nail plate is damaged due to injury, it is necessary to treat this area with an antiseptic solution . And, of course, it is important to take care of strengthening the baby’s immune system.
A fungal infection that affects nails is not as harmless as it might seem at first glance.
In addition to an aesthetic defect, the fungus can provoke the development of other, more dangerous diseases and negatively affects the child’s immune system.
Therefore, having noticed the first signs of pathology, which can be seen with the naked eye, it is necessary to begin treatment.
It is good if the therapy is complex , combining the use of local and systemic medications and traditional medicine.
Dr. Komarovsky about fungal infections in children in this video:
We kindly ask you not to self-medicate. Make an appointment with a doctor!