Accountability thread - disgusting toe nails includes photos

[Icantremembermyusername]

Hi. I ignored a fungal nail infection. Stupidly, I thought it would go away on its own. Over the winter I completely ignored my feet and when the better weather arrived I was horrified! No sandals for me. I didn’t take before photos. Wish I had done now. These are my toe nails, cut down as the excess was separate from the nail bed. I’m using poderm. Any suggestions as to how I can have sandal feet next summer?
Last image is when I first cut them.
Help, advice, support please!

Bumping and interested. I have one grim big toe nail.
Going to Google poderm!

I’ve been using it twice daily since Thursday evening. And wearing open toed shoes, no socks when I’m at home.

I would probably amputate my own feet.

Sorry, not helpful...

Well, apart from the nails you have really nice shaped feet, so if you can sort out the horror of the nails you'll be a treat for the eyes in sandals. Although, what's the weird corner on the top of your left big toe?

FPS email your Gp so there is a record, pictures attached . Request a referral to podiatrist.

I think you should see your GP, you may need a long term antibiotic to kill it off.

I had a fungal nail infection a few years ago. I had some blood tests, sample of nail sent off and I was then prescribed Terbinafine (at least I think that is what it was called).

@Hoglet70 I think that would be a case of cutting of my nose (toes) to spite my face (legs) but I understand where you’re coming from. I’m not proud that I let this get this far.
Thank you @ClaudiaWinklepanda The weird bit on my left big toe is where the nail rubbed before I cut it short.
Yes @Oblomov24 @Boopeedoop @Claireshh I will go and see my GP and see if I can self refer / be referred to a podiatrist, but I can’t until the schools break up which is why I am trying a home remedy. Living in boots and socks all winter and spring has meant I could ignore it. It’s only now that I want bare toes that I realise how bad it has become.

Don't worry op, Ive had a black nail before that fell off from an injury and eventually they grow back all clean and new.
Worth getting checked out tho as you have two and maybe need a prescription for the infection. Mine seems to be growing back in clean, but will keep a close eye on it.
Good luck.
Your other toes look fine so you could put temporary plasters over the big two.

@Icantremembermyusername
Don't know if this will make the fungus worse, but we put nail varnish on my mum's gross fungus toenails if she's going out..then remove it after a few days

I don't understand. How could you ignore that?

Please get to your GP as soon as possible.

Have you spoken to GP? You should actually ask for a toenail clipping sample to be sent off, because many gp's don't offer that unless you ask.
Most nail fungus paint-on treatments that you can buy are a bit weak, so you will probably need tablets aswell that are stronger, eg Terbinafine or itraconazole,

and it all takes months to see any visible change. It often takes 9 months to a year to grow out completely.

Oral Lamisil. The tablets, not the topical.
Treatment takes 3-6 months. No alcohol for the duration.
Very effective.

NB:
Generic of Lamisil is terbinafine.

Our GP wouldn't prescribe Terbinafine for DH.
He scrubbed them brutally every day to reduce the white crumbly stuff and put a cream of tea tree and something else on. I think Vicks type stuff works as well. Tiger balm. I don't know whether it will eradicate it, but it's much better than it was.

So, I’m still using Poderm. It’s looking better to me!
@BettyBardMacDonald It was easy to ignore :-) I’ve spent the last 3 years caring for every one else. It was easy to think “I’ll get on that next week” and “that” didn’t happen because some one else had more pressing needs. I stopped looking after me. Doing my paid job, keeping up with the house, life admin, making sure everyone else was Ok mattered. And I took a back seat. I turned into a drudge.
It’s mad but every day I am looking after my feet I am doing a little more. Styling my hair, wearing jewellery, thinking about my outfit. Yesterday I bought 2 bras which fit me :-)

My DD had a fungal nail infection for which she saw a GP for about 3 times and they refused to do anything. Cost us £1,000 to get it lazered and 12 months of monthly appointments but it has worked.

It does look better. Keep going. Scrape the surface too, remove whatever you can.

And well done for looking after you. I'm rather the same. It's hard to do self care.

Oh well done OP! They are growing fast and looking better!
Look after your feet and they'll look after you.
Good to hear you have more time for yourself to take care of you.
I'm using a Vick and tea tree oil combi now, twice a day.

Book an appointment with a private podiatrist if you can afford it. There is always a long wait for NHS ones

That's a big improvement! 💐
Keep at it; you deserve self-care.

Have you tried soaking in white vinegar?

epsom salt soaks. top up on multivitamins. exposure to sunshine.
i would also see about a pedicure to the other 8 toes.
the shoes you were previously wearing should be discarded as well as socks.