Fungal toes

I was prescribed Lamisil tablets many years ago which eventually cleared the problem (about a year). You do need to have blood tests for liver function for some time after though. Fortunately it has never come back but always treat athletes foot promptly with Lamisil Once, so it doesn't get into the nails.

Unfortunately, the treatment can have an effect on the liver. My GP organised blood tests before and after treatment to check this.

I was fortunate with my gp, two lots of nail clippings and six months of ABs for mine.
One dreadful toe nail but finger nails for years that didn’t look obviously infected but were!

My doctor would not give me precription due to non alcoholic fatty liver . Meds affect liver a podiatric said the same ,so I suffer.

Thank you Win for posting about the problems with acrylic nails.

I have often been tempted to have them done as they look so lovely, but my young hairdresser ended up with the same problem as you and had to give up work until her hands healed.

Antiseptic footwash plus Canestan morning and evening for nearly a year worked for me too. Tedious but effective.

Vicks Vapo Rub applied daily works wonders. My podiatrist recommended it. Apparently it’s the camphor that does it.

Lahlah65

I used Canestan over the counter nail softener to remove the toenail - came with anti fungal cream which I applied religiously once nail fell off. Once it started to regrow I used Margaret Dabbs foot cream, which I still use regularly as a preventative. Cut nails as short as possible, and cram foot cream under edge and sides of nails. It takes a couple of years of religious daily treatment to deal with this and vigilance to prevent reoccurrence.
Apparently nail salons are one of the most commonly place to catch fungal nail.
I’ve had it twice (20 years apart) - I think probably from wearing poor fitting walking shoes and bruising my toenails.

Thank you for this, I do cream my nails every single night before I put cotton gloves on, but they are still very dry around the nail bed. My nails are cut below the quick at the moment, so really uncomfortable and there is no 'under area' to put the cream , but I can of course cream them well and will definitely try with your suggested cream. Thank you

I used Canestan over the counter nail softener to remove the toenail - came with anti fungal cream which I applied religiously once nail fell off. Once it started to regrow I used Margaret Dabbs foot cream, which I still use regularly as a preventative. Cut nails as short as possible, and cram foot cream under edge and sides of nails. It takes a couple of years of religious daily treatment to deal with this and vigilance to prevent reoccurrence.
Apparently nail salons are one of the most commonly place to catch fungal nail.
I’ve had it twice (20 years apart) - I think probably from wearing poor fitting walking shoes and bruising my toenails.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202506/medium-8z5seo-img-5452.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202506/medium-aeo6qj-img-5454.jpeg

My GP provided a sample kit for the cutting which went to the lab, my Podiatrist took the cuttings and scrapings underneath, it took 3 weeks to get a negative answer. The Podiatrist suspected it was a reaction to have constant acrylic nails for years. It damages the nail as they can't breath. I now have horrendous nails which have been cut below the quick and hurts like mad, the Podiatrist has dug most of the second nail growing underneath bu which is crumbling out and we are now waiting for the regrowth of the new nail, When they are eventually back to normal I shall have Biab instead of acrylic nails where the nail can breathe it is apparently much better. Why I was not offered that choice in the first instance heaven only knows. I had never heard of Biab until now. My nail technician used to dip my finger in the Acrylic, so it strengthened the nail both under and on top, but also just think how many other people have dipped their fingers in the same powder. It really is bad practice, if using acrylic it should be brushed on with a brushed before applying the nail vanish.
Knowledge on hindsight is a good thing!!

Desdemona

I have had a fungal big toe for several years now, been trying to treat it with over the counter treatments etc.

I had no problems until somebody accidentally dropped a hard object on my toe - the toenail was fine until that.

I read that if the nail "matrix" is damaged then no treatments will cure it - has anyone had experience of this?

Yes, I’ve had a revolting looking big toe since dropping an iron trivet on it about 15 years ago. It’s been looking a heck of a lot better since the Vicks treatment. I’ve only been using it for a few weeks so I’ve great hopes for further improvement. But I don’t think it will ever properly recover.

Here’s another vote for Vick’s Vapor rub. After decades of fighting athletes’ foot and, in more recent years, fungal nail infections I found a couple of months of using Vicks has cleared up the athletes foot and has gone a long way to solving the fungal nail problem. Prior to this I found rubbing moisturising cream (of any sort) into my toes after showering and avoiding talc stopped athletes foot returning. I think we’ve all been peddled the wrong information about looking after our toes. They need moisturiser not drying talc.

I have had a fungal big toe for several years now, been trying to treat it with over the counter treatments etc.

I had no problems until somebody accidentally dropped a hard object on my toe - the toenail was fine until that.

I read that if the nail "matrix" is damaged then no treatments will cure it - has anyone had experience of this?

Phone GP they do deal with it...ours do orget appt. with chiropodist

Vic vapour rub ! Sounds daft but worked for me.

Thank you for all your input.

There is a list up at Drs saying they won't deal with certain problems and fungal infections one of them so that is why I asked for helpful tips. Vick? Wow, everyone has a jar of that and more than worth a try.

Lemonred

Terbinafine, (sp?) on prescription. Dr will prescribe. Rough your nail up first with a hefty file, some people put lemon juice on first as this opens the nail structure to the treatment (this works with any treatment, using the lemon first). It can take up to a year for bad cases. Used once or twice a week. You have to be persistent, and keep it up. Also expose your nails to as much sunshine as possible, don’t use light blocking nail polishes.

Also Amorolfine 5%, DH using this atm.

Terbinafine, (sp?) on prescription. Dr will prescribe. Rough your nail up first with a hefty file, some people put lemon juice on first as this opens the nail structure to the treatment (this works with any treatment, using the lemon first). It can take up to a year for bad cases. Used once or twice a week. You have to be persistent, and keep it up. Also expose your nails to as much sunshine as possible, don’t use light blocking nail polishes.

This is interesting, because I have had fungal nail for about 5 years now, following a bout of pompholyx eczema. I think the scratching due to the itching caused it. I have used a paint on liquid, although not religiously as supposed to, and it is gradually growing out, but is so slow.
I have also got recurrent athlete's foot which started at the same time; every time I think it's gone, it comes back in the same place. I have tried every cream and am now resorting to using two at the same time.
The surgical spirit sounds useful - does it get rid of it or just prevent it coming back?

Going to try the Vicks

Nothing works it seems.

But will try the foot file when I eventually take nail polish off.

It's totally wrong that doctors won't deal with this. If a fungal nail infection is dangerous enough to warrant cancelling a TKR then it's obviously something that is bad for our immune system in general.False economy by the NHS imo.

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.

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

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