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Original poster

Horrible fungal nails

32 replies

MyBabyBoyBlue · 06/10/2021 14:02

Hi all, I’m wondering if anyone has some tips for treating a severe fungal nail infection. After my last pregnancy it now covers four toenails, two of them all the way down to the nail matrix.

It really gets me down especially as I have two babies and I’m really worried about them catching it and then never being able to get rid of it. I can’t take the tablets for other health reasons and am just at my wits’ end with it - I feel so down every time I have a shower and see the little buggers!

OP posts:

Tal45 · 06/10/2021 14:08

I'm using Boots fungal nail on my ds, you file it weekly and put the stuff on day and night. It takes time (think months) but it does seem to be working.

Original poster

MyBabyBoyBlue · 07/10/2021 17:34

Thank you - I spent 6 months using that one, only for it to spread!! It did work for one of my friend’s, mine must be really stubborn…

OP posts:

Original poster

MyBabyBoyBlue · 08/10/2021 14:40

Bump for any more tips!

OP posts:

WhoNeedsaManOfTheWorld · 08/10/2021 15:25

I used the canasten one. You put it on and put a plaster on then file after a day or two if I remember correctly
It totally cured my worst nail. The nail just distinegrates and you put something like tea tree oil on the new nail. I used oregano oil I think
The not so bad nails it helped. They are not yellow. I file the top of the nail a couple of times a week and put oregano oil on to stop it coming back
In summer I use nail varnish that has tea tree oil in it

Brigittebidet · 08/10/2021 16:02

Mine are utterly disgusting and cover most of my 10 toe nails. I've had it for years (like about 20) and my DC (now 10 and 12) have never caught it, neither has DH. I've given up trying to cure it now after trying everything, and just paint over it.

0blio · 08/10/2021 16:08

I used the Scholl one which worked really well over a month or so. Although I'd had the infection for a while it wasn't really too bad in the first place so might not be an effective treatment for you.

Have you asked your GP or do doctors not treat them any more - may have to be a chiropodist?

DumbestBlonde · 08/10/2021 16:22

Recommended by a Chiropodist... Paint the nail and surrounding with plain Listerine, which is mainly alcohol, after filing the top surface off. Worked for me after being crunched by my horse led to the infection, luckily contained on one.

missminimum · 08/10/2021 16:30

Your GP may prescribe something orally if the topical treatments are not effective for you. Our son had a fungal nail infection as a child and topical treatments just kept it in check but did not clear it. Our GP wanted to wait until he was over 16 to give oral treatment. In the end it resolved after we discovered it was caused by the nail being injured by the way he walked and the toe constantly bashing against the roof of his shoe. He saw an NHS Podiatrist who supplied orthotic inserts for his shoes that resolved the issue. It may be worth reviewing your foot wear and gait, as pregnancy does funny things to our feet. Good luck

igivein · 08/10/2021 16:30

I used tea tree oil. Painted it on morning and night. It got rid of a 17 year old infection that had resisted everything from otc remedies, through tablets from the doctor to laser treatment.
Took about 5 months to finally see it off (still can’t believe it’s gone!)

Elieza · 08/10/2021 16:33

You can take a toenail clipping to the gp to see what infection is in it and prescribe you special clear anti fungal nail varnish stuff for it or tablets you swallow but you have to get bloods taken and they can affect your kidneys or liver or something.

I didn’t fancy the tablets. Sounds risky for the sake of a toenail!

So I got the varnish. You paint it on twice a day and it takes a year. I persevered and it does work. But it really does take a year. During which time you can’t wear any coloured varnish or anything. I did once if the day for a wedding and then removed it after and out the medicated varnish on.

It’s a long treatment but I’m very glad I persevered or it would have spread to my other toes. One year out of my life isn’t the end of the world-although it felt like it at the time .

Original poster

MyBabyBoyBlue · 08/10/2021 16:36

Thank you all - unfortunately the oral tablets aren’t suitable for me because of other health conditions, which is so annoying!

I’ll give these ideas a try, I’m ready to throw everything I’ve got at it now my pregnancy is over - they’re disgusting things.
@igivein was your infection all the way down to the base of the nail? That’s the one thing that really worries me, that mine is just too far gone.
I get my podiatrist to file them down every 8 weeks or so but he has no suggestions in lieu of the terbinafine tablets which I can’t have :(

OP posts:

Rollercoaster1920 · 08/10/2021 16:38

See your gp and get a sample tested. Different fungi are treated with different drugs and P line drugs can be stronger than over the counter. I got a lacquer prescribed after trying two over the counter brands. Seems to be making progress, and better than the oral treatment side effects.

Original poster

MyBabyBoyBlue · 08/10/2021 16:38

It serves me right really, I always used to keep my nails varnished and it was only when I took off some varnish to apply a different colour that I noticed their horrible colour! One of them actually crumbled off with my nail varnish remover (not envy)

Doctor did send off a sample which came back positive for fungus so at least I know that is what I’m dealing with.

OP posts:

igivein · 08/10/2021 16:42

@MyBabyBoyBlue yes it was only one nail (right big toe) and it was completely covered. Had gone really thick and was uncomfortable. Someone on here said tea tree oil worked, and I had some in the cupboard so I thought I’d give it a go.

MattDamon · 08/10/2021 16:42

Have you tried Vicks Vapo rub? Always gets mentioned on these threads.

Covidiom · 08/10/2021 16:45

Just never share nail scissors/files/clippers with your kids and they won’t catch it! I took flucoxocillin for something unrelated and it seems to have e cleared up my fungal nails.

Original poster

MyBabyBoyBlue · 08/10/2021 16:50

@igivein ooh you have given me hope there!! I feel a Boots shopping spree in my very near future.

@MattDamon - that’s on my list! My Dad used it and absolutely swears by it. Mind you, he swears by it for literally every ailment known to man so I always took his suggestion with a pinch of salt… maybe it’s time to repurpose my jar

OP posts:

igivein · 08/10/2021 16:54

@MyBabyBoyBlue don’t be taken in by the ‘tea tree oil fungal nail treatment’ stuff - it’s not as strong. Go hardcore with the neat oil.
Good luck!

Original poster

MyBabyBoyBlue · 08/10/2021 16:56

@igivein thank you for the tip…right, I’m going to war against the buggers!!

OP posts:

Brigittebidet · 08/10/2021 16:58

@igivein

I used tea tree oil. Painted it on morning and night. It got rid of a 17 year old infection that had resisted everything from otc remedies, through tablets from the doctor to laser treatment. Took about 5 months to finally see it off (still can’t believe it’s gone!)

Ooh, this might have given me hope that mine can be got rid of. Just plain old tea tree oil?

Rummikub · 08/10/2021 16:59

My dad had fungal tie nail. He tried the Vicks. It cleared it up within a week!

Rummikub · 08/10/2021 16:59

Fungal toenail

Gingernaut · 08/10/2021 17:00

I bruise like a peach (toenails keep catching the seams of my socks ) and fungus moves in on the loose toenails.

Black nail beds and fungal nails - yummy.

Diligence is key.

I have religiously used off the shelf products (Boots own brand or Scholl) almost every night, alongside scrupulous hygiene and antifungal foot and shoe care.

It's still taken months for the fucked up nails to grow out.

legalseagull · 08/10/2021 17:01

I've actually just run upstairs to take a photo of this for you. My husband has had the worst nail I have ever seen for over 10 years. He was prescribed oral medication and was on tablets for months with no difference whatsoever but a risk of damaging his liver. He bought this cream online and it's almost all cleared up within a few months it's truly unbelievable

QuantumWeatherButterfly · 08/10/2021 17:02

I tried multiple different treatments with no effect. I ended up seeing the GP and taking Terbinafine tablets for around 12 - 15 months (can't remember exactly). They're fine now.

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