Children's nails fall off

When children are playing mischievously, they may accidentally injure their nails when they grab or hold things, such as scratches, nail chips, nail cracks and nail shedding. These can be very uncomfortable, especially when the nail shedding involves flesh, which will naturally cause bleeding and pain. In severe cases, there may be more trouble, so it is necessary to understand the factors that cause nail shedding.

What causes children's fingernails to fall off?

1. Caused by malnutrition. If a child's nail plate becomes thin and brittle, with vertical protrusions, and the nails tear and fall off easily, it is mostly a sign of malnutrition. If the diet is deficient in protein, calcium, sulfur and other elements, or vitamins A, B and C, skin diseases such as lichen planus may also occur. Parents should improve their children's nutrition.

2. Caused by onychomycosis. Nail loss is a symptom of onychomycosis, an infectious disease caused by fungi. Onychomycosis usually occurs on the fingers and toes and can cause pain and discomfort. It often manifests as nail loss, nail thickening, and nail deformation.

3. Caused by paronychia. If a child's nails are red, swollen, painful, or falling off, it may be caused by paronychia. It is mostly caused by minor puncture wounds, bruises, hangnails and cutting the nails too deep.

4. Other factors. For example, iron deficiency anemia, calcium deficiency, vitamin and trace element deficiency, malnutrition, fungal infection, etc.

What is the relationship between hand, foot and mouth disease and nail loss?

During the period of hand, foot and mouth disease, local inflammation of the hands and feet will cause damage to the nail matrix, which is the nail plate, and inhibit the growth function of the nail matrix. The nail matrix is ​​the starting point for nail growth. If the nail matrix is ​​damaged, the nail cannot grow normally, which may cause the nail to fall off.

Not all patients with hand, foot and mouth disease will experience nail loss, but hand, foot and mouth disease is also one of the causes of nail loss. Generally speaking, after the nail falls off, new nails will grow again, and symptomatic treatment can usually be sufficient. There is no need to worry about whether the nail can grow back. During the period of nail regrowth, it is necessary to appropriately supplement nutrients rich in protein, calcium, iron, zinc and other elements, vitamins ABC and other trace elements that promote nail growth, as well as foods that contain these trace elements. Also, attention should be paid to personal hygiene to avoid combined infections.