Although toenail fungus in children has traditionally been relatively rare, today the condition is becoming increasingly common. The infection is typically persistent, and often the treatment takes several months to work. What’s more, since the infection can be an embarrassing condition, it can ultimately contribute to self-esteem issues in children. Even worse, as with all fungal infections, if a child does not receive diagnosis and treatment early, it can be a precursor to more serious diseases.
Risk Factors for Toenail Fungal Infections
Toenail fungi typically thrive in a dark, damp and warm environment such as that found in closed footwear. According to Sheila Fallon Friedlander, a professor of pediatrics at the University of California, the choice of occlusive footwear for children is one reason for the increasing numbers of children with fungal toenail infections. Fungi can also invade children’s nails, especially if they walk barefoot in shower rooms or public pools, if they sweat heavily or have impaired blood circulation.
Symptoms of Toenail Infections
In its initial stages, the toenail fungus appears as a white or yellowish spot just under the toenail, causing the nail to distort as the infection worsens. Other signs to look out for include darkening or yellowish discoloration of the infected toenail, as well as thickening and brittleness. As the infection worsens, the infected toenail may start to separate from the nail bed. At this stage, the child could easily collect dirt under the nail, increasing the chance of further infections and risk complete loss of the toenail.
Treating Toenail Fungus in Children
Treatment of toenail fungal infections typically depends on the severity of the infection, and the tolerance of the child to the treatment’s side effects. In view of this, there is a wide range of conventional and alternative treatments available for the condition as well.
Treating Toenail Fungus in Children Using Medication
Over-the-counter antifungal creams like Ciclopirox can treat toenail fungus, but they are only effective in very mild cases and require a long period of use. Oral anti-fungal medications such as Itraconazole (Sporanox), Fluconazole (Diflucan) and Terbinafine (Lamisil) are usually much better at clearing serious infections, although such drugs usually produce numerous side effects, some as severe as liver damage.
Alternative Treatments
One of the most popular alternative therapies for toenail fungus in children is to apply vinegar solution to the infected area two to three times a day after cleaning the area. Although there is anecdotal evidence to suggest that the acid content inhibits toenail fungus growth, currently there is no clinical evidence to support the effectiveness of vinegar treatment.
Laser Treatment for Toenail Fungus
Laser treatment, also called photodynamic therapy, is a new and increasingly popular choice for treating toenail fungus in children. This is because it is painless, has virtually no side effects and clears the infection quickly. In general, this treatment option involves treating the nail with an acid and then irradiating it with intense light to kill the fungus.
