If you have children yourself you will understand that keeping their nails clean is not on top of the radar. In fact nail health is often neglected in children. That is when they are the most at risk for developing fingernail fungus. Children don’t have the proper skills to be able to wash their hands correctly, if they wash at all. All those germs and microbes gather under the nails especially if they don’t get cut. In these lovely little nails there are also parasitic cysts and eggs! Dirty nails transmit infection especially if there are parasites which can re-enter the body.
In children it is nasty, and this is where parents usually need to step in. Their fingernails should be kept trimmed and cleaned to prevent these issues. You can use soap and an oil of oregano solution. If you do this regularly the incidence of infections will drastically decrease. You have to make sure you educate your children on the correct way to wash their hands and to keep their nails short and clean. The fungus will thrive in children the same way it does in adults. It likes the moist, dark conditions. The problem is that children’s immune systems are not fully developed, and that can lead to further infection. You will know if your child has a finger nail fungus when their finger is swollen and red.
At times the finger may also ooze pus from the nail bed or cuticle. You may also want to check their lymph glands which can become swollen due to the infection. To treat children with finger nail fungus there are creams and ointments. Oral medications are the other alternative. Terbinafine, fluconazole, and itraconazole are common to treat these types of fungus in children. The oral medications need to be taken for at least 4 months. A new nail should grow and replace the old one. The only problem is that there could be complications with these medications like rashes, liver damage and heart problems.
They may just need an antibiotic cream or some iodine on the affected area. However, if there is pus, then an antibiotic will be needed. If it is indeed a finger nail fungus, your doctor will likely prescribe a cream to be used for 2-3 weeks. A warm compress may help in easing any pain.
Of course the children should be told to stay away from common surroundings like pools, showers and wash areas where there could be fungal spores and contaminants. It is hard to get children to cut their nails and practice the proper hygiene. However, as a parent, it is your job to make sure that their nails are cut and clean. It is far better to make them upset now than to deal with a serious complication later. No one wants to see their children in pain and suffering. So with some practice and some coaching, your children can keep their hands and fingers clean.
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