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Original poster

Fungal toe nail for 10 years! How to get rid!?!

54 replies

weekendawayyy · 25/02/2023 11:52

I've had a fungal toe nail infection for over a decade! I've tried the file and treatment stuff over the course of months and got rid of it, only for it to return again. I don't want to take those tablets they can prescribe as they are really bad for you and can cause liver damage.

The GP just said I should cover it up with nice nail polish!

Anyway has anyone here had a really stubborn fungal toe nail for this long? And how did you finally get rid of it? Are there any over the counter treatments which actually work?

OP posts:
Louisetopaz21 · 25/02/2023 11:53

Amputation? Just joking I am sure it is difficult to get rid of but there are solutions you can paint on.

dementedpixie · 25/02/2023 11:55

Terbinafine tablets with regular blood tests is what my dh has had to do for his fungal toenails

TheChosenTwo · 25/02/2023 11:58

I took the terbinafine tablets, they worked amazingly and my liver was okay. No regrets! Mine was starting to spread, one nail on each foot was severely infected and then I noticed it in small patches on a couple of the other nails and took action.
This was a few years ago now and never had any kind of issue ever since.

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TrombonesAreNotBones · 25/02/2023 11:58

I am persisting with vicks on the affected nail, as directed by my podiatrist, and in conjunction with regular nail thinning by her. It is growing out, slowly. (6 months I reckon so far)

Have you consulted a podiatrist? I appreciate you will probably have to do it privately, podiatry on the NHS is very patchy nowadays. I pay £30 per session.

Hottytotty · 25/02/2023 12:00

I did the terbinafine tablets and they worked for me with absolutely no side effects - I think you may be rather overthinking them! They did blood tests to ensure my liver was ok.
My BIL on the other hand went nuclear and had the toe nail removed Shock. It did grow back and all clear, so if you’re adamant about the tablets then that might be an option. I know which worked for me though Grin

WalkAwaySugarbear · 25/02/2023 12:00

DH took the terbinafine. He'd had bad toenails for over 20yrs, it worked amazingly well and just needed regular blood tests to check his liver which had no problems.

lemmity · 25/02/2023 12:01

I file the surface of the nail and then paint on tea tree oil. I bought an empty nail polish bottle and decanted it in. It really needs to be done every day for a couple of months (actually don't file every day, you'd have no nail left. Maybe once per week) but it does work.

barbrahunter · 25/02/2023 12:05

Warning - gross description towards the end of this post.

I see your decade-long fungus and raise you 20 years of fungus toenail. I have tried absolutely everything apart from the tablets which apparently would not be suitable for me to take.

The latest thing I've tried has been canestpro toe fungus cream, by the makers of canestan. It was quite effective, compared to a lot of other things that didn't even touch the fungus. But, every time I stop the treatment, the fungus comes straight back. I really hate it. Luckily, I do cover it up with nail polish in the Summer but I'd rather not have it at all. I have written on this subject before on here, and after doing some research, I believe that a one main underlying cause of the fungus is my addiction to sugar. I have noticed a slight improvement in my fungus when I'm on a diet but I really don't think I can contemplate a life without sugar. I shall follow this thread with interest to see if anyone suggests something I haven't tried.... most things don't even touch it. It's embarrassing and at its worse fairly recently my big toenail was fully jet black with a green tinge - revolting! On other occasions, the nail has come right off - lovely just before a holiday . You have my sympathies OP.

minipie · 25/02/2023 12:06

Terba thing tablets here too.

As a nice side effect they also cleared my decades long on/off athletes foot problem.

DailyFailstinks · 25/02/2023 12:07

Terbafine also worked for me - no side effects

Worldgonecrazy · 25/02/2023 12:08

Not had a bad one, but honey with a dressing over the top worn each night. Make sure it is single origin or organic honey as a lot of the blended honey is mixed with cheap syrups to bulk out.

sleepwhenidie · 25/02/2023 12:09

I had what I thought was a fungal infection on my big toe for years but it never spread to others and just wouldn’t go away no matter what treatment. I saw a podiatrist for an unrelated issue and he asked if I had psoriasis, which I do, although very mild symptoms. He said (if the toe) that it wasn’t fungal but psoriasis related. Just providing info in case relevant to you OP!

Ireallydohope · 25/02/2023 12:11

Go to a decent chiropodist not a GP for a start and it'll be gone in no time

barbrahunter · 25/02/2023 12:15

I know you were talking to OP @Ireallydohope but I hadn't considered a chiropodist. Having just googled it, apparently some can do laser treatment on the fungus which I have never tried. I think I will make an appointment. Thank you for the suggestion.

Oblomov23 · 25/02/2023 12:31

Take the tablets. The liver damage is rare, minimal and will be monitored by GP via blood tests.

mamabear715 · 25/02/2023 12:31

I THOUGHT I had an infected toe nail for years. Back & forth to GP, pharmacies, finally went to a podiatrist, it wasn't an infection, it was an injury & would only grow in thickness, not in length. All sorted now, about £40 every 3 months. So make sure it IS an infection first!

QueenMabs · 25/02/2023 13:31

Terbanafine was the only thing that worked.

I had it for around 10 years too. It was magical to see the nail grow out clear.

It's not just unsightly it's the texture of the nail goes crumbly which is really difficult to files. Can't have pedicures. I had it about 5 toes when I finally went in the tablets.

Original poster
weekendawayyy · 25/02/2023 13:34

TheChosenTwo · 25/02/2023 11:58

I took the terbinafine tablets, they worked amazingly and my liver was okay. No regrets! Mine was starting to spread, one nail on each foot was severely infected and then I noticed it in small patches on a couple of the other nails and took action.
This was a few years ago now and never had any kind of issue ever since.

@TheChosenTwo how long did you have to take the tablets and did you experience any side effects?

OP posts:
RedDogBlueDog · 25/02/2023 13:34

This reply has been withdrawn

The OP has privacy concerns and so we've agreed to take this down.

monomatapea · 25/02/2023 13:35

There's paint on stuff. I paint it on every day even when it's cleared. Costs a fortune thoguh

Original poster
weekendawayyy · 25/02/2023 13:36

@barbrahunter I don't eat much sugar at all and have long periods when I eat none. I've no idea why I have this problem. I don't wear sweaty trainers or go swimming regularly.

OP posts:
Original poster
weekendawayyy · 25/02/2023 13:40

Aaah just read about the tablets and it says you can't take them if pregnant. I'm currently TTC so that's no good! SadSad

OP posts:
Original poster
weekendawayyy · 25/02/2023 13:42

The laser might be a better option... has anyone had this?

OP posts:
TheChosenTwo · 25/02/2023 13:44

@weekendawayyy I think maybe it was about 6 months? Possibly longer, it was About 5 years ago now. Had a couple of liver function tests along the way and all fine.
I’m a sugar fiend with no intention of ever giving it up!
The results were impressive, wish I’d taken before photos but it was so grim I mainly had them painted 24/7 although it didn’t disguise the 2 that were totally ruined as they were thicker than the others. When I could see the new growth coming through I was honestly so emotional!

Devonchills · 25/02/2023 13:49

I tried everything with my fungal toenails. They were really bad on about 4 nails.

The only thing that worked was Emtrix. I got it on Amazon, it was about £20. Started working within a week, and now clear after 5 years!

Great reviews too.

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