please can i ask about.....toenail fungus?

[vitomum]

i noticed a while ago that ds (18 months)had a discoloured toenail. I meant to see to this but it kinda got de-prioritised. I have now just become quite alarmed to see that MOST of his toenails are yellow and thickened. I can't even get the toenail clippers through some of them. They are going sort oif claw like. I think this is some kind of toenail fungus and i feel extremely guilty that i have obviosuly let it get a grip. I'm worried that the toenails will now have to fall off and this will be painful for ds. I'm not sure where to go for help - GP, Health visitor, pharmasist? any tips greatly appreciated - any guilt reducing comments most welcome too.

[paolosgirl]

I had this one on of my toes, which then spread to a couple of others. I got some tablets from the GP, which cleared it up - I had tried a nail paint stuff which didn't work. The fungus can spread really quickly to your other toes, and in my case, lifted the nail off the nail bed [faint emoticon], but didn't hurt. I'd see your GP asap and start the treatment, as it takes a while to work. Good luck

[anorak]

It sounds like athlete's foot. My DH has this and although his toenails look disgusting, it doesn't hurt.

He hasn't found a treatment that works but that's because he let it get really bad before trying. The most effective thing he's used is tea tree oil, but there are lots of treatments available. As paolosgirl says, try your GP. Don't feel guilty, all kids have ailments from time to time however careful you are. No one's going to rush off to the doctor's every time a child sneezes, we wait to see if it's going to get better on it's own with lots of things, don't we?

[vitomum]

thank you v much. i am releived that falling off toenails don't actually hurt! but maybe you are just well hard paolosgirl? thanks for trying to make me feel less guilty anorak. thing is i KNEW it probably wouldn't get better on its own - i sort of forgot to do anything about it though (not after more validadtion of my fitness for motherhood honest!)

[anorak]

We all forget things sometimes. Motherhood is packed full of stuff we're supposed to remember. You're only human.

[somethingsexyandLYcRAinmystock]

he will probably need some internal medication to clear this up. i've never heard of children getting it, but it's very common in adults and takes a long time to clear. you can be taking the pills (anti-fungals) for months at a time. my doctor said it's nothing to worry about, more of a nuisance and doesn't necessarily need treatment unless it's causing pain. I'd always seek treatment though, as it's a bit yucky to have fungal feet.

[vitomum]

cheers everyone for all the advice. i will make a GP appt tomorrow.