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Children's health

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Original poster

Funny toe nails

16 replies

GoldenSnitch · 07/04/2010 15:08

DS has funny toe nails. They are sort of dished so that the outer edges all curl upwards. They've always been like that.

I make sure his shoes are always well fitted and on the advice of the HV, have just been keeping them short and seeing what happens. But he's just turned 3 now and I'm getting worried that they're getting no better.

I've just cut his toenails - he asked me to as they were bothering him - and while they weren't long, there was a nasty strip down the side of one of his big toes that was peeling off. It looked a bit red but he said it wasn't sore.

What should I do about this. Do I carry on waiting and seeing? Not keen on this idea as I don't want them to get worse. Do I take him to the doctors or do I find a Chiropodist/podiatrist (what is the difference) and get them looked at? Can I do that or do you need a referral from the doctor?

DD is 3 months old and already her toenails look a bit dished too. Neither DH or I have weird toenails but we've obviously got some dodgy genes between us!

OP posts:

soapboxqueen · 07/04/2010 15:46

My DS has toenails like this. They're difficult to keep short as they curl upwards. It isn't always easy to see that they've grown so all of a sudden I look and 'eek' they're really long again.

DH reckons his brother had toes like this and he just grew out of it. Don't know how true that is though.

Original poster

GoldenSnitch · 07/04/2010 15:51

My Mum pulls faces every time she she's DS's toenails so I guess mine weren't like that. Must the DH's DNA

Have you seen anyone about your DS's toenails?

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Original poster

GoldenSnitch · 07/04/2010 20:52

evening bump

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Maveta · 07/04/2010 21:03

My ds (3) has toenails like this, also worried i had damaged his feet with bad shoes when tiny but we´ve always been so careful about getting well fitting shoes. Relieved to hear others have this and that he might grow out of it.. they are so hard to cut and really scratchy when they suddenly get long!

Original poster

GoldenSnitch · 07/04/2010 21:07

DS's toenails split and crack and peel too.

His fingernails aren't much better to be honest but at least they're flat!

I didn't put DS in shoes until he was cruising and then, only when out. I've had them measured regularly at Clarks ever since and always buy new shoes if he needs them. I feel like I've done all I can in that regard and his nails are still bad

So should I find a Chiropodist/Podiatrist?

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Original poster

GoldenSnitch · 08/04/2010 09:26

One last bump

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hedgepig · 08/04/2010 21:23

Goldensnitch I would start at the Drs tbh, they would be able to see if there is a fungal infection or anything like that (splitting or cracking could be a fungal infection). Then ask the Dr if they think a Chiropodist would be able to do anything. Good luck

Original poster

GoldenSnitch · 08/04/2010 21:41

Thanks Hedgepig. I think I'll do that

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nightcat · 09/04/2010 18:30

This can be linked to too much calcium or mineral imbalance (Ca/Mg and/or Zn), you could search nutrition sites for details and/or you could get his hair tested for minerals to see what he has too much/not enough of and fine-tune his diet accordingly.

BaDaBing · 09/04/2010 18:39

My ds has similar issue.took him to my gp who said some kids just have nails that grow in this way!said not to be concerned unless he begins to get infections etc.i file them no rather than clipping which seems to help keep them in nicer shape.

Original poster

GoldenSnitch · 09/04/2010 20:13

I can't see it being too much calcium as his main calcium intake is a small cup of milk at bedtime. He sometimes has cereal for breakfast but prefers toast and he won't eat cheese unless it's an ingredient in something, so I don't think he's getting massive amounts.

Minerals could be soemthing to look at though.

I called today and made him an appointment with the doctor (earliest I could get was next Thursday) because he was complaining that his big toe was sore where the piece of nail peeled off down the side the other day.

I cut them as straight as I can but on his big toes, instead of being quite square like my toenails and attached in a U shape, his are eye shaped and attached along one long curve. The outer edges are the worst dished too so if I let them get any length at all, they catch and rip.

All of his nails, fingers too, are very soft and seem to rip on anything. The layers peel too.

I'm feeling quite relieved that the doctor is finally looking at them. The HV looked at his 2 year check and said they were fine but I'm pleased we're getting a more professionsal opinion now. Especially as DD's toenails are looking similar too.

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nightcat · 09/04/2010 21:06

if layers are peeling then it could be lack of zinc (which builds connective tissue)

Original poster

GoldenSnitch · 09/04/2010 21:21

We eat meat quite regularly but he does tend to object to chewing it so doesn't alays eat a lot. Will try a bit harder with him. Maybe a supplement is needed?

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Original poster

GoldenSnitch · 16/04/2010 09:07

Saw doctor yesterday.

He says he's not worried about DS's diet as he is a very healthy looking child and a blood test at his age would be too distressing. (I was so glad as I was dreading that being suggested)

He couldn't see any sign of an infection either.

He said that a podiatrist wouldn't really be able to do anything and that the dishes nails are probably just genetic.

He said just keep clipping them short and as straight as possible and bring him back if they seem to get worse. He said to soak them regularly to keep the skin soft to prevent in-growing toenails.

So, no immediate help for when they tear down the side and become sore but I'm a bit less worried that I've done something wrong - other than supplying dodgy genes obviously

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CMOTdibbler · 16/04/2010 09:10

DS's toe nails are the same, and mine were just the same at that age. My mum used to joke that my fingernails were like toenails, and my toenails were like nothing on earth. Now, I don't have the nicest nails in the world, but they are respectable enough

Original poster

GoldenSnitch · 16/04/2010 09:19

Thanks CMOT. DS's fingernails aren't great either.

DD's are slightly better so far but I'll be keeping an eye on them as she grows. She's only 16 weeks at the moment.

Mine and DH's nails are pretty normal - must be the combination of our genes that's the problem. Glad it's such a trivial thing but it's still not nice to see poor DS with sore toes.

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