What's wrong with my toenails? (Manky photo included!)

[patrollingpaws]

I'm so sorry for the grim photo!

Does anyone know what is wrong with my big toenails?

The one in the right has been quite painful at times, and the skin around the toe has been red and swollen too. It looks a bit like a bruise, but I haven't had an injury.

Is it a fungal infection? Who do I see/how do I treat it?

No photo

Sorry! Now attached

I.was wondering if u had an infection or bunions but my feet don't look like that. Are your feet painful?

When I went to the chiropodist she saud I had a toe infection. I didn't realise. Can u get to a chiropodist? It 30 quid near me. She recommended some stuff that cost 15.99. I have to treat the toe each week. Should take 6 months apparently.

You have a fungal nail infection. You can buy OTC remedies that you use topically, or you can try Tea tree oil or Vapour rub. You will need to apply these treatments for several months, at least, to clear the infection, after cutting and filing your nails to maximise the absorption. Or you can get an anti-fungal medical prescription from your GP, thought it can have side effects and you will need to have blood tests to ensure it isn’t causing you problems with your liver whilst taking it. You would need to take the meds for 6 months minimum.

Nail infection. I had a bruised colour underneath mine once and it fell off. Speak to pharmacist.

Fungal nail infection

I've got one and have tried the nail varnish prescribed by the Gp - didn't work and I'm now taking tablets everyday for the next 6 months

I left mine for ages before doing anything and now it's on 8 of my nails 😩

It's a fungal infection. Ask at your pharmacy

I wouldn't recommend taking the medication. I took it. It did nothing for my toenail but affected my sense of taste. I used tea tree oil which was brilliant. Lightly file the nail surface each time before using the oil to help it be absorbed better.

Thanks all.

Is the OTC stuff effective? Tempted to try the tea tee oil because I think I have some knocking around. Do you apply daily?

I'm guessing I can't keep disguising it with nail varnish ☹️

Have had fungal nail issues for years now.

The otc stuff takes a long time to work; for most of them you need to keep up a daily or weekly regimen for around 12 months until the nail is completely grown out. Tea tree oil sounds like it won't really do much based on the internet tbh. Looking at those pictures i'd honestly say (compared to mine) that you have a really entrenched case and you're going to need to go nuclear to get rid of it, faffing with about with tea tree probably will achieve nothing. Either try the otc stuff for a few months (nailiner twice daily worked best for me) and see if you get results (you'll probably see healthy nail regrowth after a month or two, but you HAVE to stick with it at that point). If you don't, go to the docs for something stronger or it'll just keep sticking around.

The efficacity of Tea Tree Oil in treating toe-nail fungus is largely anecdotal.
The in vitro (in the lab) tests show it has "potential as a therapeutic agent", but the in vivo ( on real people) clinical trials have shown it useless.

Tea tree oil can also cause some unpleasant side effects such as allergic contact dermatitis.

See a Chiropodist/Podatrist for professional advice.

Toenail fungal infection.

Mine is growing out now after using the Boots Advance Nail
Fungus stuff religiously. (On 2nd bottle).
Don’t use nail varnish, it traps the damp and fungus underneath.
Do wash your shoes where possible / dust with anti-fungal foot powder.