2 1/2 year old growing new nails over old ones

[JDM7881]

I noticed that my 2 1/2 year old son is growing new nails on several of his fingers. He has not hurt himself in any way. Old nails are coming off and new ones are already out. Is this normal? I know new nails grow when you hurt yourself like fingers caught when a door closes, etc. but nothing like that has happened to him. I noticed this a couple of days ago on one finger and now it is happening on his thumbs. Old nails are practically peeling off while the new ones are under already. Please let me know if this is something that happens or should I consult his doctor.

Thank you

[darkryder19]

I'm 13 and the same thing happened to me,I got HFM and about a month later my nails started to peal off with new nails under them and it was completely painless. eventually the old nail fell off and just the new one was there, just as strong a the old one. but I'm no doctor so I can't say it's harmless but it doesn't hurt

[Pedapoda]

Same thing happening with my 2 yr old son. His nails are peeling off with new nail growth under. He was diagnosed with hand foot & mouth last month and his doc said it was a very "odd" virus. First causing what seemed to be a nasty common cold, then what appeared to be chicken pox on his hands, feet and rear end ...where my youngest would wake me every 1/2 hour or so screaming that his feet were itchy and I'd have to rub his feet for him. I ended up taking him to the er bc he was screaming so badly of itching with a fever of 103. Wasn't until the following day when his ped doc figured out it was HFM disease. After which his feet and hands began to peel very badly  now an entire month later his finger nails are doing this exact thing and still has a cough periododically through the day every day still lingering. His doc did warn me it was a very odd virus and would do all the exact things that has happened. Funny thing is, it typically comes from daycare and my son is not in any day care nor does he interact that much with other young kids. Anyways I'm sure that's why your child's nails are doing this as well! Be known all symptoms differ as my oldest son whom is 7 didn't get a high fever or itch at all.

[Venette]

Yes, it's a virus infection from Hfm, I took my 6 y/o child to doc last wk. She said it was from Hfm infection and not all kids nails are affected.

[margypops]

It does sound if that was it, it is likened to chicken pox..I believe that the nails grow back normally ..I have not heard its painful, personally I would speak to the doctor about it ..Good Luck it will be over once the other new nails push them out .

[prasant25]

Yes, a few weeks ago she was sick due to weather change and had also had some infection like viral chickenpox, may be its what you are saying is HFM infection. Now almost all the fingernails of the hands are growing like that.
will that cause problems in future? when the old nails will start falling, will it be painful?

[margypops]

It seems to happen if the child has had an infection like Hand Foot and mouth..Has your child been sick recently maybe in the last few weeks ?

[prasant25]

my 2 1/2 yr old daughter is also having the same problem with her nails.  Is it normal thing, since i never saw that with other babies i know in the family.

[margypops]

Has your child been sick recently ?..HFM ..Hand Foot and Mouth disease can cause this in nails

[Blom1]

Exactly the same is happening to my 2 year old. 3 fingers on each hand  is  affected. This is freaking me out! Is this painful? What  causes this? My GP says that it is possibly  a lack in  vitamin D and E. Is this correct?