Fungal toe nail infection....any recommendations on what to do?

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I want beooootiful feet!

My left big toe has gone a bit weird and I never noticed cos I paint them bright colours and just top up if chipped! (Never thought I would have to admit that and I know it is a bit gross!)

What do I do?

I could google it but get overwhelmed with info so thought Mumsnetters could help as they usually do!

Thanks

If you think you have a fungal infection, go to the GP, who can prescribe something (cream, I think) to cure it.

Yes, GP or a properly qualigied chiropodist.

get some Spilanthes from a health shop and put 4 or 5 drops on a few times a day, it will clear up in a few days!

It's a nail paint or tablets for fungal nails.

Chiropodists can advise but not treat fungal nails with medication, only a few have prescribing rights and they tend to be surgoens in nhs hospitals.

I've got this. Both big toe nails dropped off. Tried the paint for months, which didn't work and was a real pain to do. Am now taking tablets and it is clearing up, hopefully just in time for beautiful summer feet. Whole thing has taken about a year to clear....

Think it would be a good idea to go to the GP first. You need to know what is causing it before you treat the infection.
They will probably give you something that may be available over the counter but always a good idea to have someone with expeience check it over.

Do you suffer from athlete's foot too incidentally?

Over the counter paint-on thingies take months, cost a fortune and dont always work.

Tablets from GP def work.

I put up with it for months and months before having a telephone appointment with my GP and getting tablets. Was better within about 4 weeks.

Thanks everyone - will go to the doctor on Monday

Yes, Dr stuff for tablet. Over counter stuff takes months. Took me nearly a year.

Gehwol oil. I had it on both toes. Painted them religiously every day for a few weeks, and it has gone completely, and I've now been clear for over two years:

www.mankyfeet.co.uk/gehwol-anti-fungal-skin-and-nail-oil-5-p.asp

Opi fungus fix

OK, I went to the doctor and showed her my icky toe and she said it was a fungal infection and that the British Medical Council view it as cosmetic and not medical.

I told her that if one of the BMC had a fungal infection on their toe and the nail dropped off it would probably then become medical!!

Anyhoo this means that I cannot get a prescription for medication and would have to pay the full whack of £150 including dispensing fee for stuff for dodgy toenail!

So I came home, went to MankyFeet and ordered the Gehwol oil!

Fingers and toes crossed it works.

Thanks for all your input though.

Would still go to a chiropodist .

DH has been using paint on stuff prescribed by doctor absolutely for ever and it has not made a jot of difference, his feet are disgusting. Well tell him about the tablets.

I have just started using Vicks balm on my toenail fungus. Google it!! Only been using it for 4 days but it did go black immediately just like everyone said it would. Just got to see if it carries on and clears it up. The site that I saw really recommeded spraying disinfectant into your shoes to prevent reinfection - but I can't work out what would be a suitable disinfectant.

How much does a chiropodist cost? Have absolutely no idea.

there are lots of side effects to the tablets - including liver damage.

I had this for years and then someone recommended taking garlic tablets (just normal ones from health shop) and this worked for me - I had tried everything else even special stuff to paint on nails from the doctors.