Toddlers Finger/Toenails - what’s wrong?
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Topic: Toddlers Finger/Toenails - what’s wrong?
Posted By: BuzzyBee
Subject: Toddlers Finger/Toenails - what’s wrong?
Date Posted: 18 October 2008 at 6:11pm
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Just wondering if anyone here could shed some light on something for me...
Lucas' fingernails AND toenails (toenails especially) are coming through quite rigid and flaky ...looking a little distorted - I've only JUST noticed this. I've always been led to believe that the state of ones nails is a sign of their health/lack of ...or a deficiency of some sort - any idea what I could give him/do to help restore his nails ...what vitamins or minerals could he be lacking in that is causing this? I should prob mention he's not a meat eater, no veges apart from in juice form every 2nd day ...very fussy kid. Any thoughts or advice would be highly appreciated TIA Steph 
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Replies:
Posted By: xnikx
Date Posted: 18 October 2008 at 6:27pm
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I assume it could have something to do with lacking vitamins.
How do the half moons look at the cuticle? Im sure i have heard of toddlers with this issue. My daughter is 3 and is extremely fussy too, i understand the worry! ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 18 October 2008 at 7:05pm
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Lacking in Calcium I think Steph. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: BuzzyBee
Date Posted: 18 October 2008 at 7:18pm
| Eek Becks, don't think it could be calcium - that's all he eats! He eats Milk, Cheese, custard ...macaroni Cheese ....etc etc till the cows come home! hmm |
Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 18 October 2008 at 7:35pm
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Maybe too much?? I remember beinging told one day that the reason why my fingernails were breaking all the time was from Calcium - and for me it was not enough. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: BuzzyBee
Date Posted: 18 October 2008 at 7:46pm
Hmm interesting take on it, ill go have a google and see 
Thanks Chicka I know that when you have white marks in your nails it means you are low in zinc ... |
Posted By: blondy
Date Posted: 18 October 2008 at 8:16pm
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could it be a fungal infection (I know that usually makes nails white-ish and easily broken), although to have that on ALL nails seems more like a vitamin/mineral issue? I found this http://www.naildoctors.com/nail_health.html - link -------------  
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Posted By: MissCandice
Date Posted: 19 October 2008 at 11:12am
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I have white bits in my nails... arrrrg. Whats zinc? Lol ------------- ~ Mummy to a beautiful girl ~ |
Posted By: Rachael21
Date Posted: 19 October 2008 at 12:08pm
| Jacks toenails are quite distorted but I'm pretty sure his are from always being bare foot and stubbing his toes. |
Posted By: SMoody
Date Posted: 19 October 2008 at 1:56pm
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Check his iron out. One of the signs for iron deficiency is sometimes that there is ridges on the nails and it isnt smooth. Might be an imbalance between iron and calcium ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: BuzzyBee
Date Posted: 19 October 2008 at 3:33pm
For testing of iron levels is it just a blood test with GP? ...how do they manage to to do bloods on a squirmy toddler? 
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Posted By: LuluBelle85
Date Posted: 19 October 2008 at 9:34pm
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Hey there
Flaky nails are generally caused by dryness (a lack of moisture in the nailplate). If you are majorly concerned about it, you can use a conditioning oil (like solar oil). I can even send you a wee pinky bottle to try it out. It's a common myth that nail problems (ie white spots on nails) are caused by calcium or zinc (or any other vitamin/mineral) deficiency. Obviously general health does play a part in strong healthy nails (as with any part of the body that needs to grow or replace itself constantly), but it doesn't sounds like that would be the problem here. Sometimes, nails are just like the way they are... much like hair... some people have naturally dry or oily hair. Hope this helps! Any questions, let me know!
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Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 19 October 2008 at 10:32pm
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The people who take the blood can get it out of a toddler Steph. Josh has had 2 blood tests already in this year. It will involve you being quite hard and holding him really tight. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: Jennz
Date Posted: 20 October 2008 at 12:19am
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They sound a bit like my DHs nails used to be when he had a fungal infection- maybe just ask the Dr next time you go. ------------- Jen, Charlotte 7 & Kate 3 
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Posted By: peachy
Date Posted: 20 October 2008 at 8:14am
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Sorry I have no advice on the nail issue, but I have just taken my one year old for blood tests, its not fun at all! They sit on your knee and you hold them around the middle, one nurse holds one arm, another nurse holds the other arm and the 3rd nurse does the blood taking!
Fun, fun, fun ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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