Question
A 11-year-old boy is experiencing a condition where his nails are bending at the edges, and there are no nutritional rings around the nails. What disease could this be? What are the causes of this situation?
Answer
The phenomenon of bent nails can be caused by various factors. If the bent part of the nail is thin, this may indicate a deficiency in certain trace elements, such as selenium, iron, zinc, calcium, etc. This condition can be corrected by adjusting the diet, and it may not require a comprehensive supplement of nutrients; one can also choose to supplement specific trace elements. However, if the bent part of the nail is thick and appears pale yellow, grayish white, or grayish black, this is usually a sign of fungal infection, commonly known as onychomycosis. In this case, treatment is necessary. Since antifungal drugs have significant side effects and are not suitable for children to take orally, topical medications can be used for treatment.