Finger Clubbing

[Mummymiley]

Can anyone help me that may have experienced finger clubbing in their children. My son bites his nails but has been doing better recently but I’m constantly looking at his fingers. Recently his fingers seemed to have started to swell at the ends slightly and are always red I’ve read about this and seen some information about finger clubbing which I think his fingers look like some of the photos. I saw a gp last week who barely looked at his fingers and said they definitely weren’t clubbed. He was found to have an innocent heart murmur earlier this year but he had a ECG and it was confirmed to be innocent but to be monitored. I think I’m being a bit over concerned with him but they don’t seem normal in comparison to my 2 other boys. He’s feet have also got up 2 width sizes recently. Thanks for any advice

[Toddlerteaplease]

They don’t look anything like clubbed fingernails. So don’t worry OP. Clubbing is caused by prolonged lack of oxygen. A friend of mine who has pulmonary hypertension has clubbed fingers and it’s very obvious.

[APMom]

I don’t think that looks like clubbing either. My dad had it with lung disease.

[abitoflight]

I know 2 people with congenital clubbing - both born with fingers like their fathers

[Mummymiley]

Thank you for your replies. Definitely helping out my mind at rest. Any ideas why they are red like they are and have spread out like they have?

[Toddlerteaplease]

They look like completely normal fingers to me!

[AnyFucker]

Those are not clubbed fingers. They are chunky kid fingers.

They look a bit red and blunt at the ends because he bites his nails. Is he constantly gnawing at them ?

[JohnHunter]

Another vote for normal fingers!

[InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream]

I was going to post 'completely normal'. But then I realised I know nothing about clubbing and did a bit of googling. Actually it can start very subtlely and there are various grades. In this case his fingers COULD be completely normal, but if you say they have swelled at the end, look red, and his feet may have also swelled, then actually I think you might want to pursue it a bit further. Yes, they definitely aren't VERY clubbed, and may not be clubbed at all, and the GP might not be used to spotting the early stages. If YOU think there are definite changes, then coupled with the heart murmur I would be inclined to get it checked again. I'm sure it'll be fine.

[Toddlerteaplease]

If he’s a fit and well child. With no history of clubbing in the family and no respiratory problems he won’t have clubbed fingers. They look completely normal. (Peadiatric nurse here)

[InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream]

OP- other than the heart murmur, does he have any other issues or symptoms? Chest or digestive or anything like that? My only slight concern is OP thinks the changes are recent, may also involve the feet, and are different to his brothers. As well as the heart murmur. Early clubbing can be very subtle.

[Mummymiley]

Thank you for all your replies we are seeing another doctor tomorrow about allergy testing so will ask them also. He had a viral wheeze a few months ago where he was admitted for oxygen but has been fine since. But he’s been getting very tired of recent and suffering with really bad puffy and watery eyes which is why we have been looking into allergies. He’s recently stopped biting his nails as much as we’ve introduced a fidget toy for him to stop it and he has seemed to have stopped but obviously I’ve noticed his fingers looking different. His feet getting wider could just be him growing but I thought it was odd they have changed so much in such a short time. Thanks again all I feel less concerned but obviously want to get to the bottom of what’s going with him.

[InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream]

Well I think you're doing the right thing getting another opinion- don't be fobbed off- let them know the finger and feet changes are recent. Will you let us know how he gets on? Good luck