White superficial onychomycosis in childhood: a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge

Ana M.ª Escalona Gil ^a, Alejandro Jiménez Domínguez^b, María Martín Galache ^c, Juan Evangelista García García^d

^aServicio de Pediatría. Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor. Hospital Universitario La Moraleja. Madrid. España.
^bServicio de Pediatría. Hospital Universitario La Zarzuela. Aravaca. Madrid. España.
^cServicio de Pediatría. Hospital Universitario La Moraleja. Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús. Madrid. España.
^dPediatra. CS Elena Ginel Díez. Salamanca. España.

Correspondence: AM Escalona. E-mail: anaescal56@gmail.com

Reference of this article: Escalona Gil AM, Jiménez Domínguez A, Martín Galache M, García García JE. White superficial onychomycosis in childhood: a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge . Rev Pediatr Aten Primaria. 2026;28:55-60. https://doi.org/10.60147/52479f41

Published in Internet: 13-01-2026 - Visits: 2106

Abstract

Onychomycosis is an uncommon fungal infection in the pediatric population, although there its incidence has increased in recent years. Consequently, primary care pediatricians should be familiar with the different presentations of onychomycosis, as well as the approach to its diagnosis and management.

Within the group of onychomycoses, white superficial onychomycosis is a particularly uncommon subtype in childhood. For this reason, it is essential to recognize its clinical features and to perform an appropriate differential diagnosis to rule out other entities with a similar presentation.

We present the clinical case of a male patient diagnosed with white superficial onychomycosis, describing his diagnostic evaluation and therapeutic management.

Keywords

● Nail fungal infection ● Onychomycosis ● Superficial white onychomycosis