DD's toenail is about to fall off

[jaxinsmom]

I just need to know if anyone has any advice about this.

My dd is 20 months and recently (within the last few weeks) her toenails have become dark (I thought it was dirt from playing outside so much), but this morning when I was changing her I touched the darkest one and it felt as thought I could just pluck it off.

This isn't a bruise, because it's happening to the other one as well.

Not sure if anyone else has had any experience with this and I'm looking for any/all advice.

I'm taking her in to see our GP on Monday.

Also, not sure if it's related or not, but she has REALLY soft stools. As in...explosive looking EVERY time. I mentioned this at her 18 month check up, but the doctor didn't seem phased by it so I haven't really thought any more about it. Until the toenail thing -- not sure if they have anything to do with eachother.

????

[mamazee]

Dark, brittle toenails can sometimes be caused by a toenail fungus, though of course you'll have to show the doctor to know for sure. My grandma used to say that foot fungi were best treated by soaking the feet in a vinegar/water solution. Maybe that'll help in the meantime? I don't know what doctors do for toenail fungus in young children. The medicines are pretty nasty.

[pbjmama]

Explosive stools every time in the last week or for months?

The combo of the two (if long term) makes me think she is not absorbing nutrients properly. Could be food allergies or many other things. My first step would probably be a food log and the dr appt but don't let them brush you off. You can get a simple blood test for food and environmental allergies.

[jaxinsmom]

Originally Posted by pbjmama

Explosive stools every time in the last week or for months?

She has ALWAYS had loose stools. always. I can count the number of 'normal' stools on one hand. Again, I have brought this up to our doctor, but she has never seen a problem with it because DD is healthy in every other way. She has a difficult time gaining weight (spent a number of months in the bottom 15%) but she has an incredible apetite! She eats adult portions of food. I have long felt as though something was not right with her not gaining weight, having loose stools and eating so much, but have been reassured by our doctor (and friends and family) that it was probably just 'her'.

Now this toenail thing has me rethinking everything again.

Also, I connected the loose stools with my breastfeeding and didn't really think about it until I stopped a few months ago and she began an exclusive 'adult food' diet and her stools didn't change.

I will try and keep a food log for the next few days and bring it in to our doctor on Monday.

Thanks for all the great advice!

[pbjmama]

Yeah, those things all point to something gastro going on. Maybe dairy or wheat issue? Have you tried posting in health and healing? My ped is great but missed something in my ds. I think she is great and always willing to discuss things with me but a general doc doesn't always have the best understanding of complex issues. If you love your ped otherwise perhaps you could get a 2nd opinion or ask for a referral to a pedi gastro? Blame it on wanting to be extra careful or something.

[jaxinsmom]

Originally Posted by pbjmama

Yeah, those things all point to something gastro going on. Maybe dairy or wheat issue? Have you tried posting in health and healing? My ped is great but missed something in my ds. I think she is great and always willing to discuss things with me but a general doc doesn't always have the best understanding of complex issues. If you love your ped otherwise perhaps you could get a 2nd opinion or ask for a referral to a pedi gastro? Blame it on wanting to be extra careful or something.

The toe thing just came up today, and being Saturday I figured I'd wait until Monday to make an apointment. But, I'm pretty sure if I bring the three main concerns in (toenail, soft stools, excessive apetite) she'll listen to my concerns and run some blood work.

Actually, she had a bath tonight and the toenail fell off. There is a softer normal looking one in place now, so not sure what that means -- but I'm still going to go to the doctor's on Monday.

[tanyalynn]

I don't know why her toenails would be falling off (I had it happen due to trauma in high school, and it didn't hurt at any point, except the trauma of course ) but the poop doesn't sound normal. I'd guess either food intolerances or a poor balance of bacteria in her gut or both (food intolerances creating a bad environment). It's not normal to have poop like that (my DD did). I think it's worth investigating, whether through your pedi or on your own or with an alternative-type HCP. FWIW, my daughter's growth wasn't impacted either, I think big kids can be overlooked in terms of having health issues.