£12.99
Fungal nail infection (onychomycosis) is very common, particularly in the toenails. It affects around 3% of people in the UK.
Fungal nail infection usually looks unpleasant, but it doesn't always cause pain or other symptoms.
Nail infection can be treated and usually cured, but treatment can take several months.
Curanail is the most effective treatment for fungal nail infections and is available to buy from Treat Discreet.
-
Curanail nail lacquer for fungal infections 3ml£18.99 -
Scholl Fungal Nail Treatment 3.8ml£17.99£12.49
Fungal nail infection often looks unsightly because the nail often becomes thickened and discoloured.
The nail can turn white, black, yellow or green in colour.
The nail can sometimes become brittle, with pieces of nail breaking off, or even coming away from the toe or finger completely.
Underneath and around the nail (the nailbed), the skin can sometimes become inflamed and painful.
If a toenail is infected and painful, it can become difficult to walk.
Fungal nail infection in the toenail is most commonly caused by a fungal skin infection, such as athlete's foot. Around 30% of people with athlete's foot will also have a nail infection.
Other causes of infections in toenails include wearing trainers or having hot, sweaty feet a lot of the time. Fungi grow easily in warm damp environments.
Fingernail infections are most often caused by a yeast called candida. Professions which include a lot of hand washing, or having your hands in water a lot, are often the cause of fingernail infections. This is because the skin at the base of your nail can become damaged, and therefore more likely to become infected.
Other factors that can increase the risk of nail infections include:
- nail damage,
- constant nail biting,
- having a health condition such as diabetes or psoriasis,
- being immunosuppressed (having a weakened immune system),
- being in poor general health,
- living in a warm and humid climate, and
- smoking.
Nail infections are more likely to happen with increasing age. Sometimes, there is no apparent cause for an infection.
Other causes of infections in toenails include wearing trainers or having hot, sweaty feet a lot of the time. Fungi grow easily in warm damp environments.
Fingernail infections are most often caused by a yeast called candida. Professions which include a lot of hand washing, or having your hands in water a lot, are often the cause of fingernail infections. This is because the skin at the base of your nail can become damaged, and therefore more likely to become infected.
Other factors that can increase the risk of nail infections include:
- nail damage,
- constant nail biting,
- having a health condition such as diabetes or psoriasis,
- being immunosuppressed (having a weakened immune system),
- being in poor general health,
- living in a warm and humid climate, and
- smoking.
Nail infections are more likely to happen with increasing age. Sometimes, there is no apparent cause for an infection.
You may not need to have any treatment if your fungal nail infection is very mild, or it is not causing any symptoms. However, if you do not treat the infection, there is a chance that it will spread to your other nails.
Serious fungal nail infections need to be treated. The two main treatments are:
- antifungal tablets, and
- antifungal nail paints.
Antifungal tablets
Taking antifungal medication orally (by mouth) means that the treatment reaches your nail via your bloodstream.
This can be a very effective way of treating fungal infections. But you may have to take the tablets for several months to ensure that the infection has completely gone. Stopping the medication too early can mean that the infection comes back.
An advantage of the antifungal tablets is that they will clear any associated fungal skin infections, such as athlete’s foot, at the same time.
Antifungal nail paint
If you prefer not to take antifungal tablets, you may try antifungal nail paint instead - such as Curanail.
Nail paint is not considered to be as effective as the tablets because it has to be painted on to the infected nail and work its way through to the infection. It can be difficult to reach all of the infection.
A fingernail can need around six months of treatment, and a toenail up to twelve months.
Lamisil which is used in athlete's foot, fungal nail infections and fungal skin infections is available from Treat Discreet.
