What causes children to develop splinters or ingrown nails on their hands?

In general, the occurrence of reverse nail cuticle (ingrown skin) on a child's fingers may be caused by bad habits, dry skin, improper diet, eczema, or tinea manuum (fungal hand infection). It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly and receive treatment based on the specific condition. The details are as follows:

1. Bad Habits

If a child habitually bites their fingers or peels the skin around the nails, it may cause local damage to the fingers and lead to ingrown skin, without other accompanying symptoms. It is important to correct these bad habits, avoid biting fingers or peeling the skin, and carefully trim off the ingrown skin with scissors.

2. Dry Skin

If a child’s hands are not properly cared for, the skin may become dry, causing the stratum corneum to crack and form ingrown skin. This may be accompanied by symptoms such as dryness and flaking. It is recommended to use moisturizing hand creams or lotions to keep the skin hydrated.

3. Improper Diet

Picky eating may lead to deficiencies in vitamin C, B vitamins, zinc, and other nutrients, affecting skin health and resulting in ingrown skin, brittle nails, pale skin, and similar issues. It is advisable to adjust dietary habits and consume more nutrient-rich foods such as lean meat, fish, carrots, and broccoli.

4. Eczema

Eczema is usually caused by bacterial infection and may result in dry skin, prolonged friction, or the formation of ingrown skin on the hands. Symptoms include itching, redness, swelling, and rashes. Under a doctor’s guidance, medications such as prednisone acetate cream, Binghuang Fule ointment, or Chushi Zhiyang ointment may be used for treatment.

5. Tinea Manuum (Hand Fungus)

This is generally caused by fungal infection, which may lead to dry, flaky skin on the hands, along with ingrown skin, blisters, and other symptoms. Treatment may include antifungal medications such as clotrimazole cream, miconazole nitrate cream, or urea cream, used according to medical advice.

In daily life, it is important to develop healthy habits, such as going to bed early and waking up early, aiming to sleep before 11 p.m. each night, avoiding staying up late, and ensuring sufficient sleep.