Prophylaxis | Nail bed inflammation in the baby

Prophylaxis

Since the pathogens that cause nail bed inflammation get through the skin via small wounds, you should first make sure that you have washed your and your baby’s hands before cutting the nails. If your baby is prone to nail bed inflammation, you can also disinfect the nail scissors before cutting the nails. In case of minor injuries to the nail bed, the nail wall or the nail fold, you should directly prevent it with an antiseptic ointment. Basically, good hygiene helps to protect the child from such diseases. Of course, this rule applies not only to nail bed inflammation, but to all areas where your baby or toddler is at the mercy of a potential threat to his or her health.

Cause

Causes of nail bed inflammation are bacteria or fungi that penetrate the nail bed through open areas in the skin. There they then cause an inflammation. Open places are caused, for example, by dry and torn cuticles, torn nails or pressure points.

Pressure points can be caused by shoes that are too small or by incorrect nail care. But what is a wrong nail care and how does it go “right”? First of all, baby nails should be cut regularly.

Make sure that the nails are cut round and the edges are filed off so that no sharp points protrude. The nails on the toes should not be cut too deep at the sides, as this promotes the nails to grow into the cuticle, which in turn can lead to pressure points and injuries. The nails and the cuticles should be creamed regularly to prevent dryness. However, especially the toes should not be wrapped too thickly so that the baby does not sweat too much on the feet and bacteria have an easy time. Depending on the cause, it should be checked whether there is sufficient tetanus protection.

Frequency

The symptoms of nail bed inflammation are the classic signs of inflammation redness, swelling and warming of the area around the nail. It is also extremely painful, which is manifested in babies by increased crying, crying and whining. Fortunately, nail bed inflammation in babies at the toe is rather rare, as the nail and skin are still quite flexible and soft.

However, when shortening the nails, care should be taken not to cut too deeply into the nail at the edges, but rather to leave it somewhat angular. This prevents the nail from growing sideways into the nail bed. If it does so, it presses on the sensitive skin and leads to the smallest injuries and pressure points, which can become inflamed as a result.

Nail bed inflammation can also occur on the fingernails. They show themselves through the same symptoms as on the toe, i.e. in the form of redness, swelling, warming and pressure pain in the nail bed. Nail bed inflammation on the finger is usually a little less painful, which is why babies react less to it.

Nevertheless, the inflammation should be treated with the same care. The same household remedies can be used. Especially nail bed inflammations on the finger should be cleaned and bandaged regularly to prevent further bacteria from entering the wound.