It is a known fact that infant toenails are very delicate and can be vulnerable to various minor yet painful problems. The best way to prevent infant toenail problems such as nail fungus, ingrown nails and brittle nails is to keep the feet of the infant clean and dry and regularly trim the toenails. You can be prepared to handle toenail problems in infants by enrolling in a first aid course today.
Ingrown toenails
If you do not trim the toenails of the infant on a regular basis, they have the tendency to curl over and grow back into the skin at the side or top of the nailbed. Take note that any of the toes can be affected but the big toe is the common site. The early indications of an ingrown toenail include redness, inflammation and evident discomfort when the child is wearing socks or shoes. A doctor must be consulted right away if you believe the child has an ingrown toenail so that proper treatment can be started to prevent the condition from getting worse.
What is trachyonychia?
Trachyonychia is a condition where the nails lose their transparency and smoothness and become discolored and rough. The condition is also called as rough toenails. In most cases, the nails can also thicken. The condition is usually idiopathic which means that it has no known cause but it might be linked to a skin condition such as eczema or psoriasis.
Malalignment of the toenails
In some infants, they are born with a toenail problem such as congenital malalignment of the toenails. The condition will cause the nails to grow outwards at a certain angle instead of growing in straight manner. Take note that this is not a serious condition but the nails require regular trimming to prevent ingrown toenails.
How to take care of infant toenails
Since the toenails of infants are delicate and continue to grow, they need special care and attention. After bathing the infant, you have to dry carefully the area in between the toes and around the nailbed in order to prevent the formation of fungus. If the infant has cracked or dry skin on or around the toes, you have to apply a suitable baby lotion. Take note that trimming the toenails on a regular basis will prevent the development of ingrown toenails.
How to trim infant toenails
It is important to note that the toenails of infants grow slightly slower than the fingernails. It simply means that they should only be trimmed once or two times every month. The ideal way to trim the toenails is to use baby nail clippers or nail scissors. Avoid cutting the nails too short and do not leave any sharp edges or he/she will scratch himself/herself unintentionally.
Once you suspect that the infant has toenail problems, it is best to have it assessed by a doctor so that proper treatment can be started.