Fungal Infections of the Nail

Fungal Infection of the Nail 

Patients frequently come to the clinic embarrassed by the appearance of their feet and one of the reasons many of them state is fungal nails. The incidence of fungal nail infections is high across the population, some groups are more at risk than others. 

Fungal nail infections, also known as onychomycosis, are common conditions that affect the nails, causing them to become discoloured, thickened, and brittle. Here is an overview of the condition, including symptoms, causes, risk factors, prevention, and treatment options: 

Symptoms 

  • Discoloration: Nails may turn white, yellow, brown, or black. 
  • Thickening: Affected nails often become thicker than usual. 
  • Brittleness: Nails may become brittle, crumbly, or ragged. 
  • Shape Changes: Nails can become distorted in shape. 
  • Odour: In some cases, a slightly foul smell may be present. 
  • Separation: The nail may lift away from the nail bed. 

Causes 

  • Fungi: The most common causes are dermatophytes, but yeast and mould can also cause infections. 
  • Moisture: Fungi thrive in warm, moist environments. 
  • Injury: Nail injuries can provide an entry point for fungi. 
  • Spread: The infection can spread from one nail to another or from skin to nails. 

It is important that a podiatrist checks your nails before commencing any treatment as the appearance may have other causes. 

Our Podiatrists can test your nails for fungus and help you decide how best to treat a fungal infection if it is present. 

Over-the-counter anti-fungal lotions and creams will not be effective against fungal nail infections. Alternative or additional treatment and advice may be necessary, so it may save you money to seek advice on how best to treat a fungal nail infection from our Podiatrists before purchasing expensive, over-the-counter treatments. 

If you have a fungal nail infection, we can advise you which treatment options are available to you. 

Treatments Available 

We can offer management of the nails to make them look less unsightly and reduce spread. 

Regular routine treatment makes topical treatments more effective, and we can offer additional treatments such as laser therapy to treat your fungal nail infection. 

Laser Treatment 

We offer laser treatment for fungal nails Using the latest Remy laser which has been FDA approved in the US for fungal nail treatment. This form of treatment is non-invasive, and effective. Research has shown positive outcomes using the treatment protocol we have adopted. This provides a great solution for those patients keen to treat their fungal nails and is an alternative for those not wanting to take oral medication.