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Fungal toes

(47 Posts)
mrsgreenfingers56 Wed 11-Jun-25 21:29:54

Oh dear so embarrassing especially as summer time but had this infection in my toe nails and will not shift. Must have spent over £100 at chemists on various paint on remedies but to no avail. Have tried tea tree oil, soaking my feet in bic of soda and nothing seems to work. Wearing little footies with sandals to hide discoloured and yellow toe nails.
Any hints/ideas anyone please to finally clear this up. Been told Doctors don't deal with this sort of problem now. Thanks very much.

Grannydaisy1 Wed 11-Jun-25 21:36:44

I had a fungal infection on my fingernail and used a device called nail fungus laser device. Use twice a day and over time helps. Put it on the nail and the laser lights up. Amazon and other places sell them about £10.00 I think
If you persevere it will work

Kate54 Wed 11-Jun-25 22:17:06

There is prescription medication which works. Worth checking with surgery.

SueDonim Wed 11-Jun-25 22:28:25

Go and see a podiatrist. They’ll probably be able to help.

MayBee70 Wed 11-Jun-25 23:05:18

Surely doctors do deal with it. A friend of mine had to cancel a knee replacement because she had a fungal nail infection. She had to wait almost a year before she was able to have the operation; it took that long to clear. It takes pretty heavy duty stuff to get rid of it. Given that I may need a TKR I want to get my toenails checked given that they look really horrible. I also have athletes foot that never seems to go away no matter how much cream I put on.

HelterSkelter1 Wed 11-Jun-25 23:10:50

I have found that surgical spirit keeps ahtletes foot away. Wiped on witn cotton wool. I wonder if it will help get rid of a a nail fungus. Worth a try. Cant do any harm I would tbink and is very cheap for a bottle

dragonfly46 Wed 11-Jun-25 23:18:05

My podiatrist recommended Lamisil. Try and lift the nail and spray underneath it. Use it every day for a week then once a week. You have to wait for it to grow out but mine has nearly gone.

growstuff Thu 12-Jun-25 03:18:15

Make sure that you wipe any files you use with alcohol wipes after use. I had fungal nail infection for about two years. I was given a prescription, but it just didn't seem to work. Then I bought an electric nail fail. I filed the surface of the nails all over before applying the liquid. I was careful to file my nails over old cloths, which I threw away to avoid spreading the fungal "dust". It took about six months for the fungus to go and, so far, hasn't come back.

Parsley3 Thu 12-Jun-25 07:57:21

Like you, I spent a fortune on over the counter medicine and on a podiatrist who cut the nail back only for it to grow again as bad as ever. Prescription medicine from the GP was the only thing that worked. Do make an appointment.

NotSpaghetti Thu 12-Jun-25 08:58:49

dragonfly46

My podiatrist recommended Lamisil. Try and lift the nail and spray underneath it. Use it every day for a week then once a week. You have to wait for it to grow out but mine has nearly gone.

Be careful,
My husband used this and came up in a mighty itchy rash all over which lasted weeks!

Don't know how you can test it without testing it though!

NotSpaghetti Thu 12-Jun-25 08:59:24

I would also go to the GP.

Ilovedogs22 Thu 12-Jun-25 12:06:07

I seem to have fungal fingernails!!
Why? I haven't been playing with toads or such-like?
I think I'm turning into Grotbag the Witch!
I hate getting older but I rather like the couldn't carelessness that's so freeing.😊

Bea65 Thu 12-Jun-25 12:22:00

GPs in my area don’t deal with fungal nail issues- unless you are diabetic… you need to see podiatrist. Podiatrist can then refer you back to GP/Nurse practitioner who can authorise antibiotics if podiatrist feels they will help..
Last year I had a couple of shellac pedis and it cured the yellow nail look …think I’m overdue for a pedicure

EllieW Sat 14-Jun-25 13:43:27

It’s called terbinafine and has to be taken for at least 3 months. They will not prescribe if there is any suspicion of impaired liver function, a blood test is needed.

Mamma7 Sat 14-Jun-25 13:52:46

Google podiatrists in your area who use laser - painless but expensive and it worked for me on a thumb nail.
I did not want to take antifungal tablets suggested by my GP as they are so potent they have to test your liver function regularly for potential damage.

Lizzies Sat 14-Jun-25 14:00:36

Emtrix sorted my fungal infection out. You apply to the nails affected every night with no need to file or anything. My chiropodist recommended it.

4allweknow Sat 14-Jun-25 14:04:04

Last year I visited GP after pharmacist advised I may have fungal toenail infection. Told GP of visit to pharmacist. Didn't look at toenails but issued prescription for liqiid to be painted on each big two (only two toes affected). Gp didnt even inspect the nails but arranged for nail clippings to be analysed. Takes about six months for fungal infection to grow. Negative. Went back, saw different GP who also didnt do any inspection. Again, nail clippings submitted and no infection found. I am amazed that neither GP actually looked at my nails. Like saying you have a sore throat and they don't have a look to confirm. I am going to try a pdiatrist although on my NHS info website apparently chiropodists do more with nails so will try that area of expertise first.

Cambia Sat 14-Jun-25 14:07:28

Daktarin 2% cream and talcum to put in shoes at the same time. Our podiatrist says it is the only thing that works and it does seem to be having some effect after trying a 101 other things! I got mine online from direct chemist. She didn’t recommend filing the nail either?

Mountain Sat 14-Jun-25 14:27:41

I had a referralnfrom my GP to see a podiatrist.
They removed the bed of the nails (2 at the same time)
All good and the nail has grown back fine. Looks a little different but no infection

Allsorts Sat 14-Jun-25 14:31:09

Vick works for many.o

Seapebble Sat 14-Jun-25 14:37:47

Vicks! A 2011 clinical study was conducted by the American Board of Family Physicians which demonstrated that Vicks can help eliminate toenail fungus. It takes time - up to a year - but so do the paint-on ones from the chemist. Costs a fraction of those. I used it myself when for the first time in my life I got it on big toe nail. Apply every night (worth the effort) to clean, dry toenail. Mine cleared in about 8-10 months. It's cheap, takes less than a minute to do while watching TV or listening to radio. I'd rather not resort to the oral meds as they reach the whole body and not just your nail. Try to keep your nails dry - wear open toe slippers or flip flops at home etc. The fungus won't go away on its own - you probably have an old jar of Vicks in the bathroom cabinet. Just be patient.
www.health.harvard.edu/blog/home-remedies-that-may-be-worth-a-try-2017032211444

Greciangirl Sat 14-Jun-25 15:19:13

I recently consulted a podiatrist for a big toe fungal nail infection.
I told him I had tried the paint on remedies and he told me don’t waste your money.
He clipped half of my toenail of and applied a dressing.
I was told to bathe foot in warm salt water every day and apply clean dressing.
I did this religiously for about three weeks and it’s gradually growing back. But much shorter of course than the other toe.
It looks hideous, especially as I like to pain toenails in summer.
I now think the other toenail is going the same way.

thatsamore Sat 14-Jun-25 15:25:36

With several of my toe nails in very bad shape with hard fungus yellowing nails and embarrassed to expose them for several years now, I have come to the conclusion that actually NOTHING works. BUT with using a very heavy duty file on my nails (one used for rough skin on heels!) they are gradually getting back to normal and I am feeling proud of my feet!! Honestly, this is the only procedure that has worked for me. All the best

AuntieE Sat 14-Jun-25 15:27:28

I believe sodium benzoate does the trick, but if your doctor won't deal with the problem, make an appointment with a chiropodist!

jocork Sat 14-Jun-25 15:52:14

A few years ago I was prescribed tablets for this but they don't prescribe them now as I think they are too expensive. The tablets did work at the time but the problem has returned. I've tried tea tree oil with no result.

I'm currently using an athletes foot medicated talc after showering as the infections are linked but the nails are still awful. I may try some of these other ideas but I've heard some horror stories about side effects so I'm reluctant to spend lots of money on expensive treatments at the moment.