Fungal nail infection
Check if it's a fungal nail infection
Fungal nail infections usually affect your toenails, but you can get them on your fingernails, too.
Fungal nail infections usually start at the edge of the nail.
They often then spread to the middle. The nail becomes discoloured and lifts off.
The nail becomes brittle and pieces can break off. It can cause pain and swelling in the skin around the nail.
Fungal nail infections usually affect your toenails, but you can get them on your fingernails, too.
Important
If you have diabetes, you should see a foot specialist because any foot injury can lead to complications of diabetes.
If you have diabetes, you should see a foot specialist because any foot injury can lead to complications of diabetes.
A pharmacist can help with fungal nail infections
Speak to a pharmacist if the look of your nail bothers you or it's painful.
They may suggest:
- antifungal nail cream – it can take up to 12 months to cure the infection and does not always work
- nail-softening cream – used for 2 weeks to soften the nail so the infection can be scraped off
The infection is cured when you see healthy nail growing back at the base.
Speak to a pharmacist if the look of your nail bothers you or it's painful.
They may suggest:
- antifungal nail cream – it can take up to 12 months to cure the infection and does not always work
- nail-softening cream – used for 2 weeks to soften the nail so the infection can be scraped off
The infection is cured when you see healthy nail growing back at the base.
See a GP if your fungal nail infection:
Treatment for a fungal nail infection from a GP
Your GP can prescribe antifungal tablets. You'll need to take these every day for up to 6 months.
Tablets can have side effects, including:
- headaches
- itching
- loss of taste
- diarrhoea
You cannot take antifungal tablets if you're pregnant or have certain conditions. They can damage your liver.
Badly infected nails sometimes need to be removed. It's a small procedure done while the area is numbed (under local anaesthetic).
Your GP can prescribe antifungal tablets. You'll need to take these every day for up to 6 months.
Tablets can have side effects, including:
- headaches
- itching
- loss of taste
- diarrhoea
You cannot take antifungal tablets if you're pregnant or have certain conditions. They can damage your liver.
Badly infected nails sometimes need to be removed. It's a small procedure done while the area is numbed (under local anaesthetic).
Other treatment
Laser treatment uses laser to destroy the fungus.
You'll have to pay for it as it's not covered by the NHS. It can be expensive.
There's little evidence to show it's a long-term cure as most studies only follow patients for 3 months.
Laser treatment uses laser to destroy the fungus.
You'll have to pay for it as it's not covered by the NHS. It can be expensive.
There's little evidence to show it's a long-term cure as most studies only follow patients for 3 months.
Preventing fungal nail infections
Do
- treat athlete's foot as soon as possible to avoid it spreading to nails
- keep your feet clean and dry
- wear clean socks every day
- wear flip-flops in showers at the gym or pool
- throw out old shoes
- treat athlete's foot as soon as possible to avoid it spreading to nails
- keep your feet clean and dry
- wear clean socks every day
- wear flip-flops in showers at the gym or pool
- throw out old shoes
Don't
- do not wear shoes that make your feet hot and sweaty
- do not share towels
- do not wear other people's shoes
- do not share nail clippers or scissors
- do not wear shoes that make your feet hot and sweaty
- do not share towels
- do not wear other people's shoes
- do not share nail clippers or scissors