Patient's question:
I gave my child a bath and noticed that his fingernails never grew; they were completely smooth. As he's grown up, I've hardly ever cut his nails. At home, I occasionally see him stick his fingers in his mouth, and sometimes I scold him loudly. I don't know if his body is lacking something, as his toenails are the same as his fingernails. I hope experts can advise me—should he be taking vitamins? If so, how do I know what to supplement and how to do it? I haven't paid attention.Doctor's answer:
Hello, based on your description, there are two aspects to consider.Advice: First, consider the nutritional factors or underlying causes. Nutritional deficiencies can lead to slow nail growth. You can take your child to a formal medical institution for trace element testing to check if there are any deficiencies in their body. Trace elements can be supplemented, and oral supplements can be considered using Centrum. Additionally, consuming more high-protein foods is beneficial for nail growth, such as eggs.
Apart from nutritional factors or underlying causes, you should promptly correct your child's habit of eating their fingers. This habit not only affects the appearance and growth of the nails but may also lead to ingestion of many harmful bacteria. Therefore, it must be corrected.
Wishing you a speedy recovery and a happy life!