Liam Carter
There are several reasons why a child's nails might fall off. In some cases, it could be the result of an injury or trauma to the area, known as avulsion. It could also be caused by a fungal infection, which can be spread in community pools, gym locker rooms, or even at home by sharing towels with infected individuals. Viral infections, such as hand, foot, and mouth disease, can also lead to nail loss, as the virus interrupts nail growth. Additionally, autoimmune diseases or nutritional deficiencies can cause toenails to separate from the nail bed and possibly fall off.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Medical term | Onychomadesis |
| Cause | Hand, foot, and mouth virus |
| Cause | Fungal infection |
| Cause | Injury |
| Cause | Autoimmune disease |
| Cause | Viral infection |
| Cause | Nutritional lapse (low zinc or iron) |
| Cause | Sickness (fever) |
| Cause | Trauma to the foot |
| Symptoms | Nail turns white before falling off |
| Symptoms | New nail may or may not be growing below |
| Symptoms | Swelling, colour changes, and bloody crusting on or around the wound |
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What You'll Learn
Peeling nails, nail shedding, or nail loss, also known as onychomadesis
It is suggested that only certain strains of hand, foot, and mouth disease cause peeling nails, shedding, or nails falling off. While it may look painful and gross, it is unlikely to be hurting your child. Your best bet is to simply keep your child's hands clean and leave them alone. New nails will grow in and rather quickly.
In minor cases, only slight indentations or lines on the nails may be seen. As hand, foot, and mouth disease primarily attacks the feet and hands, it makes sense that it may also affect the nail bed. In this case, the hand, foot, and mouth virus itself interrupts growth. So, as the nail grows up and out, there is a gap in the nail bed, which causes the nail above it to fall off.
Losing a toenail or fingernail because of an injury is called avulsion. The nail may be completely or partially torn off after trauma to the area. Your doctor may have removed the nail, put part of it back into place, or repaired the nail bed. Your child's toe or finger may be sore after treatment. Your child may have stitches. There may be some swelling, colour changes, and bloody crusting on or around the wound for two or three days. This is normal. Taking good care of your child's wound at home will help it heal quickly and reduce the chance of infection.
Some overall health issues will manifest as toenail problems. Autoimmune diseases or viral infections can lead to toenails separating from the nail bed and possibly even falling off. Spots, lines, or indentations in the nails can indicate a lapse in nutrition (like low zinc or iron), a period of sickness (fever), or slight trauma from repeatedly dropping something on the foot or kicking something (such as the front of a tight shoe).
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Toenail or fingernail avulsion
Nail loss can be caused by a temporary stop or slowing in nail growth. This is known as onychomadesis, which is a little-known complication of hand, foot and mouth disease. It typically presents about three to four weeks after infection, but it may occur anywhere from one to 10 weeks after.
In some cases, only slight indentations or lines on the nails may be seen. In other cases, the nail may turn white before falling off, and there may or may not be a new nail beginning to grow in below it.
Fungal infections can also cause toenails to separate from the nail bed and possibly fall off. Spots, lines or indentations in the nails can indicate a lapse in nutrition (such as low zinc or iron), a period of sickness (fever) or slight trauma from repeatedly dropping something on the foot or kicking something (such as the front of a tight shoe).
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Fungal toenails
Fingernail or toenail loss in children can be caused by a number of factors. One cause is onychomadesis, a complication of hand, foot, and mouth disease. This occurs when the virus interrupts nail growth, causing a gap in the nail bed and leading to the nail falling off. In some cases, the nail may turn white before falling off, and a new nail may or may not be growing in below it.
Another cause of nail loss is injury or trauma to the area, known as avulsion. This can result in the nail being completely or partially torn off. In such cases, a doctor may remove the nail, put part of it back into place, or repair the nail bed.
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Autoimmune diseases
Onychomadesis is the medical term for peeling nails, nail shedding, or nail loss. It is a little-known complication of hand, foot, and mouth disease, typically presenting about 3 to 4 weeks after infection, but it can occur anywhere from 1 to 10 weeks after. The virus interrupts nail growth, causing a gap in the nail bed and resulting in the nail above it falling off. In minor cases, only slight indentations or lines on the nails may be visible.
There are several types of autoimmune diseases that can affect children, and they can impact various parts of the body, including the skin, joints, digestive system, and more. Some common autoimmune diseases in children include type 1 diabetes, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, autoimmune thyroid disease, and autoimmune skin disorders such as psoriasis and vitiligo. These conditions can cause a range of symptoms, including fatigue, joint pain, skin rashes, digestive issues, and more.
It is important to note that nail problems in children can also be caused by other factors, such as fungal infections, nutritional deficiencies, or trauma to the nail bed. Therefore, if you notice your child's nails peeling, shedding, or falling off, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment. They may recommend keeping your child's hands and nails clean, providing proper nutrition, and ensuring adequate hand and foot protection to prevent further nail damage.
In summary, while onychomadesis is a potential complication of hand, foot, and mouth disease in children, it is important to consider other possible causes, including autoimmune diseases. Consulting a healthcare professional is crucial for accurate diagnosis and appropriate management of your child's nail health.
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Viral infections
Onychomadesis is caused by a temporary stop or slowing in nail growth. You may notice the nail turns white before falling off, and there may or may not be a new nail beginning to grow in below it. It is suggested that only certain strains of hand, foot and mouth cause onychomadesis.
It is important to keep your child's hands clean and leave the nails alone. New nails will grow in and rather quickly.
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Frequently asked questions
It could be a sign of a fungal infection, a viral infection, an autoimmune disease, or hand, foot and mouth disease.
Yes, losing a toenail or fingernail because of an injury is called avulsion.
No, it likely isn't hurting your child.
Keep your child's hands clean and leave them alone. Nails will grow back quickly.
You may notice the nail turns white before falling off, and there may or may not be a new nail beginning to grow in below it.
