Holiday with new partner and embarrassing problem

[Amberjane41]

I’m so embarrassed. I’ve had a fungal nail
infection which has spread from my middle toe to big toe nail. It’s now thickened and looks obvious. I’ve been to the docs and got a lacquer and that’s all fine but I’m going on holiday for 2 weeks with a new partner and I’ve managed to hide it from him so far but he’s bound to see it by the pool and I can’t wear closed toe shoes all the time or he’ll think I’m weird! Im rubbish at doing my own nails at the best of time so I want to get a
pedicure to at least disguise it while im
away but google has come up with no salons that offer pedicures for people with nail infections so I don’t know what to do. Help! Anyone else has this issue? Anyone know what I can do?

Please be honest as you could give it to him. Fungal nails are not a good gift.

Why will he think you're weird if you don't flash your feet? My feet are horrible, and definitely not sandal worthy! That's my problem though, I am more comfortable in a pair of Converse/Whatever trainer, I can't imagine a time when my husband (once a smitten boyf) would have asked me why my toes weren't out, and if he had I'd have told him, and that would have been that. I have just re-read that and it sounds a bit smug, it's not meant to. I just mean, he's a bloke, will he really notice/care about your feet? Don't make a big deal of it, just be comfortable, be you :) xx

Vicks vaporub will make it look a lot better, quickly.

Men don't notice believe me

Exactly.

If he had this issue would you be disgusted/put off him? If either of you were to think yes to that question, then you shouldn't be together anyway.

Should a partner care for you or the mask of you?

Ok ao I had a persistant one and after over the counter remedies I tried bathijg my toes in listerine and it really worked the best. I wrapped the nail in lyaterine soaked makeup pads too for a few hours a day. Then sanded the nail back using a nail file. Apparently its a known remedy and it worked well for me

I sometimes get that but just wear dark blue nail polish

Just paint your toenails. It won't be noticeable

I did it every day for 2 weeks but it was looking pretty good after just a week! After 2 weeks of doing it every evening I went to every other day! As it was looking pretty normal! Been about 18 months fungal free now, however I would do it again if it returns!

I agree about seeing a chiropodist/podiatrist to see what they can do. If all else fails, maybe put a plaster over it and say you dropped something on your toe and damaged the nail so trying to protect it?

You could always say you dropped a brick on your foot to account for looking a bit off colour. Rather than using the words fungal and infection with a boyfriend.

OP, as a foot specialist I can categorically tell you that there is some of the WORST advice I have ever seen on this thread!

Let me clear a few things up…

Anti biotics will not have ANY effect on a FUNGAL infection

Fungal infections readily spread between people sharing a room

Vicks Vapo rub will make your toe smell of menthol and do a cracking job of locking moisture into the nail, thus worsening the fungus

No over the counter remedy will rid you of the fungal nail, Unless you get the nail bed thinned and prepped before you treat.

DO NOT go the nail bar or pedicure route.

DO NOT get a stick on nail, I see more patients who have done this and the stick on has ripped their toenail from the nail bed and caused infection

You need to see either a Podiatrist or Foot Health Professional who will thin the nail down readily for the application of an anti fungal. You can then paint if you wish with an anti fungal nail polish. Alternatively, nail reconstruction is an option if you want something to last the summer.

Glad you can see it for what it is and know you are not alone -
I once met a woman with no big toe, toe nails! She did not give a flying frog about it - it is what it is! - did not hide , wore full sandals
Her hubby didn't care a jot apparently and her 2 kids under 5 didn't either!

Confidence with get you through! Otherwise fake it- till you make it! X
Good Luck in your adventures 💋

P.S. do vinegar foot baths! the smell does go quickly, you will not smell like a chip shop
Look up Barbara O'Neill , she has all the cures our grannies used and maybe a better one for this condition
sorry to the professional poster above but if u go that route, i fear u may never be cured, they need customers!!! ( not cured people 😉)

Go and have a great time - everyone else is right, he literally won’t notice or care!

You need to see podiatrist, not ask a regular nail salon

😅

See a podiatrist who can advise on treatment and can do a toenail reconstruction that should last 4-6 weeks. I had a horrible final nail infection a couple of years ago, really brittle and thick with bits coming off. I felt really self conscious about the state of it, but the podiatrist did a fab job.

It might be a form of athlete's foot so treatable by whatever treats that. (Misses point, soz, but might be useful.)

You could tape a big plaster over it part of time. Nail varnish also.

He won't care. Slap some paint on yourself if you want.

If you don't feel up to painting your toenails yourself, ask a good friend to do it for you.

A local chiropodist or podiatrist should be able to help with not only the infection but also with gel polish on your toes

Just tell him

Oh please!

If you're going away on holiday with someone, and sleeping in the same room, and having sex - you should at least be able to say you have a nail fungal infection.

And hint. I'd like to know if it's contagious. Like a verrucca.

The fresh air will probably do your toe nail good.

If I was a new partner, I'd like to know your standards of hygiene were good.

Do you brush your teeth, wash your clothes, wash down the kitchen counters or equivalent?

If you hide your fungal infection, people will only worry about what else you're hiding.

If you say, "Listen, I'm embarassed my foot looks hideous."

I'd probably only worry if you might knowingly have infected me with something. Otherwise I'd support you.

But it's spread right? From one nail to another? Does that mean it might have spread to your sexual partner?