Is this a fungal toenail infection? Warning - barf-inducingly graphic photo

[Squiff70]

I've had this for ages. It. Is. Grim. Had an e-consult with GP about it 2 months ago but ONLY because I'm pregnant and the pharmacists won't sell me any OTC treatments. I could get a treatment online but don't know if they'd be safe to use in pregnancy. The GP asked me to take in a toenail clipping which I did the following day but the results still aren't back and this 'thing' is getting worse and worse.

No pain, no other toes affected (yet).

I did warn you about the pic and I'm sorry.

Looks like it to me. Bugger to remove but tiger balm helps

Wow yuck. Strange that it seems to be under your nail rather than your actual nail being affected.

Tiger balm? Interesting, thanks for this.

I've just been using a Google Image search for fungal toenail infections. I can't actually find any images on Google as bad as my own toe which is a bit disturbing. I find it very strange that the fungus-looking stuff is on the skin rather than the actual nail but it is definitely spreading. The nail also looks yellow which I believe is another sign of a fungal infection.

Fungal nail infection and pretty bad too. Hope you get sorted soon

I would make an appointment with a podiatrist.

I would be unleashing fury (politely but firmly worded email) at the GP because a toenail clipping analysis does not take 2 months!!!

It doesn't look like typical fungal nail as it's more around the nail. The nail itself looks quite a healthy normal colour. Maybe worth using a fungal nail treatment though just incase to nip it in the bud and to stop it spreading because once fungal nail takes hold it's extremely difficult to get rid of and looks awful. I know as I have it on 2 of my toenails, tried everything but nothing works to shift it. There are tablets available but they can cause liver damage and have to be monitored whilst taking them so not worth the risk for me. I just hide it under nail polish during the summer months.

It looks like it. Trim away the yellow parts of the nail, Op, including the dead skin in the nail bed. Try daily applications iodine solution, tree tree oil, vicks etc while you are waiting for your doctor's results. Laser treatment will be safer than drugs since you are pregnant. There is no quick fix. This will take months. Good luck.

Yeah def just pay to see a podiatrist / chiropodist - it will be about £50

Lamisil and Curanail are both over-the-counter remedies that are pretty effective if you follow the directions exactly and persist with it. but do talk to the pharmacist about whether they are OK in pregnancy.

on zooming in on your picture the tip of your nail does look similar to fungal nail. try using something like loceryl now daily before it spreads further down the nail.

Do you suffer from eczema or psoriasis? As you can get it affecting nails and can also cause a fungal infection alongside.

Could it be a wart instead? (Not that I have any experience of warts masquerading as fungal nails, you see...)

Looks more like its the skin and mass warts to me.

Thanks everyone. I'm not going to use any FNI treatment unless it's safe for the baby. I'm due to pop in 2-3 weeks but hoping to be able to breastfeed so any treatment needs to be safe from that perspective too. Hence no pharmacist can or will advise me.

What good might Vicks do? I'm a bit confused 😕

I'll look for a local podiatrist as I'd be happy to pay to get this sorted out, however I don't know if they are qualified in medicine enough to recommend FNI treatment during pregnancy and/or breastfeeding. I'll make some calls tomorrow and see if I can make some progress.

I think it looks more warty too - I agree with PP suggestion to see a podiatrist to help with diagnosis and treatment.

Vicks is the same as tiger balm, the camphor in it keeps the fungus down. It won't get rid of it but it might be an option to keep it at bay whilst you're pregnant.

I agree

I have a fungal toenail infection and am not certain yours is. I agree go to a podiatrist. But applying Vicks won't hurt in the meantime.

FWIW I use Vicks daily to keep mine at bay but was told to use Lamasil all over the foot and Curanail. But what you use depends on what it is hence you needing bsck those test results!

I have one and agree you do too. My GP was useless (I also never got the results of my toenail clipping test). Went to a podiatrist who treated it but it’s still not fully sorted. Skin is totally ok now though which is the main thing (as it got very inflamed and itchy). Nail did improve but back to being warped again. Horrible bloody thing! Good luck OP.

Goldenseal tincture is fantastic for fungal nails, I warn you though, it's bright yellow !

Qualified podiatrists are foot doctors and should be able to give you the best advice.

Don't be fobbed off by your gp as fungal nail and athletes foot can spread and is contagious. Once it gets really bad its hard to get rid of.
As said above, cut down the nail as much as you safely can and carefully dispose of toe nail clippings.
Teatree with coconut oil is a good one. I'm sure apple cider vinger foot soaks would help too. Rubbing alcohol is another one. Use talcum powder around your toes to help to keep the area dry between treating.

Your photo looks exactly like my big-toe nails did, and this quote from @Berlioz23 is exactly the post I was going to make.

I happened (purely by chance) to eventually find a well-qualified podiatrist who instantly knew what it was. (no fungal infection whatsoever)

Just one question from him sealed the deal for easy treatment. Soooo pleased!

This is untrue.

Qualified podiatrists are foot specialists, but not doctors.