Fungal Nail Infection – symptoms and treatment options

What is a fungal nail infection?

Fungal nail infections occur when a fungus infects the nail bed and nail plate. It is medically known as onychomycosis and often occurs secondary to a fungal skin infection known as Tinea pedis (athletes foot).

It is more common with increasing age, in people with diabetes and poor circulation and in those who may be immunosuppressed, as this makes them more susceptible to picking up infections.

What are the symptoms of a fungal nail infection?

There are various types of fungal nail infections which can present differently in the nail but typically they will appear yellow, white or brown and may thicken and crumble towards the later stages. Usually the fungi will start from the edge of the nail and then spread down the side towards the cuticle. It can infect one or several of the nails at a time and may become uncomfortable in footwear.

Fungal Nail Treatment Options

Clearanail Fungal Treatment

Key Features:

• Involves controlled micro-drilling of the fungal nail
• Pain free and non invasive treatment
• Only 2 treatments sessions required
• No need to rest after treatment and no post-treatment dressings required

Your treatment includes:

• Nail mycology test to confirm a clinical diagnosis for fungal infection
• Initial treatment session
• Repeat treatment session at 8 weeks
• 4 x Antifungal spray to apply after treatment
• 4 x antifungal cream to apply after treatment
• Follow up review 8 weeks after 2nd treatment session
• Further follow up review 8 weeks later
• Final follow up review 8 weeks later

In more advanced infections, a course of oral antifungal tablets may be required in combination with topical treatments. In these cases we will arrange this with your GP depending on your medical history, foot status and clinical appearance of your nails.

If you suspect you have a fungal nail infection, book in with one of our podiatrists who can confirm diagnosis and discuss an individualised treatment plan with you.