How Are Fungal Toenails Treated?
Perhaps you’ve been diagnosed with a fungal nail infection, or think you show signs of it? The next step is treatment and preventing it from returning. At Dubai Podiatry Centre, we closely examine your nails to identify the cause of the infection and discuss preventing it from coming back in the future. Fungal nail spores can be quite resilient and live in your socks and shoes, so treatment will involve advice on overall foot hygiene and footwear.
Treatment will depend on how much of your nail and even nail bed is infected. We often have new patients coming to see us as they have tried lots of other remedies such as foot soaks and topical nail lacquers with no unfortunately improvement. We love ‘difficult’ cases and specialize in nail and foot ailments that are complex or stubborn.
• For minor, superficial fungus not widely spread, the podiatrist may buff off any superficial fungus and apply a topical nail ‘lacquer’ – a medicated clear nail paint, containing the active antifungal ingredient amorolfine. Applied regularly thereafter by the patient at home, usually seeing the Podiatrist regularly to buff and thin the nail in the interim.
Anti-fungal based gels, cream or sprays may also be applied or advised to treat a co-existing foot skin fungus. Sometimes, for more chronic or severe fungal nail infections, you may also be advised:
• an oral antifungal such as Sporanox or Lamisil, prescribed by your GP and subject to a liver function test.
• to use antifungal sprays and powders in your socks and shoes (perhaps even throwing out old shoes).
• to alternate shoes daily to allow plenty of time to dry out.
• to switch socks to at least 50% cotton mix, changing at least daily, or trying toe socks to keep the area between toes dry too.
• removal of the infected toenail (nail avulsion).
It is very important to follow the Podiatrist’s advice to prevent re-infection from an untreated or old pair of shoes, or sharing nail instruments with an infected person.
Remember also, that it can take 9 months for a nail to re-grow and appear back to ‘normal’ again.
Preventing Re-infection of Nail Fungus
Good nail and foot hygiene and health is vital. A healthy, natural nail is a natural shield against fungus. Some good tips to remember include to:
• Only use reputable, hygienic salons for pedicures
• Keep nail polish use to a minimum and remove the next day if you do use it
• Buff skin briefly in the shower with a gentle foot file to keep fungus-harbouring callous at bay, maintaining general foot hygiene
• Keep nails trimmed short and straight across
• Do not cut your cuticles or pick at them, as these protect fungus/bacteria from getting into your nail
• Shake an antifungal powder into all your paired clean socks, so they’re ready-treated before you put them on
• Throw out old shoes
• Air shoes between wears and alternate daily
• Avoid acrylic or gel nails / nail polishes that stay on for weeks
• Correct any foot biomechanics affecting how you walk, as these can rotate your toe causing toenail damage within footwear (such as over-pronation, clawing or hammer toes)
If you think your toenails show any of the signs of a fungal infection, or is not responding to treatment, give the foot and toenail experts at Dubai Podiatry Centre a call on +971 4 3435390.
