Fungal Nail Infections
Fungal Nail Infections
Fungal nail infections usually affects your toenail but you can get them on your fingernails too. It is a painless condition that can result in the toenail becoming discoloured, flaky, brittle and unsightly. Fungal nail infections are more common in toenails than fingernails and can involve part of the entire nail, including the nail plate, nail bed and root of the nail.
Athletes Foot
Athletes foot is one of the most common reasons for a fungal nail infection with a third of people with athletes foot also having a nail infection. Fungal nail infections develop when your feet are constantly warm and damp.
Signs and Symptoms of Fungal Nail Infections.
- Discolouration of the nail (white to yellow or green to brown), patches, streaks or islands.
- Thickening and distortion of the nail.
- Brittleness and crumbling, splitting or pitting of the nail.
- A soft layer of debris under the nail.
- Unpleasant odour.
- Nail can be detached from the nail bed.
Treatment
Fungal nail infections can often be a source of embarrassment for many people. Treatments are usually a combination of home treatments (applying various creams, sprays and tinctures). Occasionally oral medication is required (there can be major side effects). It is important that the advice given is followed and problems discussed with your clinician, so for all those who simply hide your feet away make an appointment at Cheshire Podiatry and have happy feet again !
Other treatment include :
The Lacuna Method is a treatment for fungal nails that involves drilling micro-holes painlessly into the damaged nails. This allows an anti-fungal agent to directly reach the infected skin under the nail directly. The patient can then continued to apply the anti-fungal medication once a day, allowing the nail to grow out healthily.
If you suffer from fungal nail infections and need treatment, call us or book an online appointment now!