Superficial white onychomycosis in pediatrics: a diagnostic and therapeutic challlenge

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. Superficial white onychomycosis in pediatrics: a diagnostic and therapeutic challlenge . Rev Pediatr Aten Primaria. 2026;28:[en prensa].

Published in Internet: 13-01-2026 - Visits: 334

Abstract

Onychomycosis is an uncommon fungal infection in the paediatric population, although there has been an increase in its incidence in recent years. Consequently, primary care paediatricians should be familiar with the different forms of presentation of onychomycosis, as well as its diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

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

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

Keywords

● Nail fungal infection ● Onychomycosis ● Superficial white onychomycosis