Something strange about DS's big toenails

[ilovereading]

DS (10) has only recently developed rather odd big toenails. Both of them seem to have thickened up a lot, sort of halfway up, IYKWIM - (transverse ridges across the middle, and one of them has such a noticeable thickening across that it looks as if it could eventually start to peel away from the toenail - ouch - if the trend continues....). Hoping that it's nothing sinister.

Hs anyone any knowledge/experience of this? Should I take him to the GP?

Sounds like a fungal infection, I would say yes go GP or podiatrist

Sounds like a fungal nail infection to me, best to get it checked and treated before it spreads.

Ds(10) had something similar last year. Showed pharmacist as I though it was fungal and she was confident it was an injury, probably from footie. Sure enough it sorted itself out in a couple of months.

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated. The toenails aren't discoloured at all, and do not seem to be painful or infected; just these odd thick ridges about halfway across, with an almost horizontal line across the centre of the nail and thick layers above. Thinner (newer?) nail below, nearer to the cuticle. Never seen this before.

Can you post a pic?

Sorry about the delay, tak1ng, I will try to post up a pic soon - thanks for your interest.

Well this is what they look like - I will try to post up the pic now, but forgive me if it doesn't work (I haven't ever done this before!)

DH had something like that. Can't remember if it was fungal or injury related but it did just grow out. Seem to remember the last bit fell off but it wasn't particularly gross.
Will check with DH when he gets home and post if you've not got an answer by then.

Thanks for feedback! - just been to see the GP, and he thinks it may be fungal-related. We have been given a little packet in which to put some toenail clippings which will be tested for presence of fungus, and GP also advised dipping toes in and out of hot salty water (as hot as bearable) then drying them thoroughly. He prescribed a tube of Daktarin cream to start to use in due course too, in case fungus is diagnosed. DS has always loved wearing socks (excessively, IMO!) and this could be an outcome of the general lack of fresh air round the toes! (At least this has begun to get the message through to him, anyway...)

Does your DS wear the correct size shoes? I am in no way an expert but his feet look a little odd in that picture, his big toes look very bent inward, and his other toes look quite clawed/developing hammertoe.

A fair point, I wondered the same myself. But he has just been measured and fitted with new shoes at Clarks, after wearing the old size for 11 months - and he has only gone up from size 1E to 1.5E in all that time (ie half a size). I think it's partly just the way he's sitting here - he curls up his toes when feeling nervous, and they were being photographed....However I will keep an eye on this, thanks.

Anyone else got any ideas on this? (exciting pics now provided....)