Fungal Toenails

[ElderAve]

My feet are revolting!

I had bad fungal infections on most toes and over the last 2-3 years have tried "everything". All the over the counter remedies and some home remedies too. They have improved but are by no means better. One big toe is still quite bad and the other has some infection around the edges. Both little toes and one other still have signs of the infection. I mentioned it to GP last time I was there and he couldn't offer anything other than what I was already doing.

I do yoga on a regular basis and am envious of everyone else's beautiful feet. I haven't worn sandals in years.

Is there any hope for me this summer? Would a podiatrist be able to do anything different to what I've already tried? Would it be very wrong to take my manky feet for a pedicure?

[dementedpixie]

My dh had to take oral antifungals to sort his out. He had to get regular blood tests while he was taking them. I'd go back to the gp

[RedIsWhereItsAt]

Terbinafine on prescription.

[ElderAve]

GP didn't consider the were bad enough for oral medication.

[RedIsWhereItsAt]

Can you see another GP then? Persevere, it's a good drug.

[Coatandhat]

I used Terbinafine years ago and it made no difference although it did take away my sense of taste temporarily. What did work though and is cheap with no side effects, was Tea Tree Oil. Use an emery board to lightly file the nail surface and then use cotton wool to apply a few drops of oil. Just the filing improves appearance. Do this every day until it's gone. To keep on top of it, I still do this weekly and also spray shoes and feet (also weekly) with anti-fungal spray.

[AmazingGreats]

Yes maybe a podiatrist or chiropodist (not really sure the difference sorry!) also might be worth going back to the GP if it hasn't cleared up. Sometimes you can book pharmacist appointments too

[gingergiraffe]

Ask your go to take some toenail clippings and send them off for analysis. If it is fungal nail infection you can get a 6 month prescription for tablets to clear it all up. You will need a blood test to check the meds are not having an adverse effect on your liver after a couple of months. They do work. Cleared up my toes and actually cleared up my cracking soles too. Cleared my smelly feet problem too. I tried over the counter stuff for two years and they were a total waste of money. Yes, see another gp and insist he takes some clippings. That’s what the nhs is there for.

[RamblingFar]

Terbinafine tablets, you can get them by private prescription online.

[drippingwet]

I did read on here about someone that had amazing results from using Sainsbury’s bathroom mould remover. Not sure I’d be brave enough to try it myself

[Shinynewcoin]

Another one for tea tree oil, paint it on every day, the nail has to grow out but it works.

[tobee]

Wasn't there something on here about this recently? As a result I've been using tea tree oil 2 x daily. Also recommended were Vick vaporub and also soaking in Listerine. But only the original (amber) type.

[crankyhousewife]

My GP refused to prescribe the prescription medication due to the potential liver damage. Told me to just carry on painting my nails to cover it up!

[Spodge]

Another vote for tea tree oil. It is the only topical thing that has worked for me and I refuse to take oral meds and compromise my liver for the sake of my toenails.

[cloudydaysinfebruary]

The problem with topical solutions for fungal toe nails is that it takes a really long time so you have to very committed and willing to wait maybe a year for full results!! So, applying twice a day for months and months.

Both my big toe nails were infected. One was cured by tea tree oil, religiously applied twice a day for a good 6 months or more, it has all grown out and is perfect. The other nail I did exactly the same and it just made no difference. I am currently trying boots paint on cure and I can't really tell yet if it is working. The problem is that the nail starts growing incredibly slowly so it takes an age to see if it's growing out or not.

I'm not willing to take oral anti-fungals though so will keep trying!!

[Ofthread]

You can try thyme essential oil, it's super strong - better than tea tree, got rid of mine.

[BeyondMyWits]

Go see a podiatrist, there are amazing things that can be done nowadays - drills/lasers the lot...

[SpottyShoeBow]

Please just go and get the proper medication from the GP. I persisted for years, stupidly, and it spread to all my toes.

[SpottyShoeBow]

If he won't prescribe it find a GP who will.

[BeyondMyWits]

It is not as simple as just take a tablet for some.

It interacts with some medications - some of them common - birth control pill, codeine, some of them life maintaining - warfarin etc.