Anyone use a podiatrist for foot care (fungal nail infection)?

[Celledora]

This is beauty related insomuch as I’m trying to replicate a pedicure!

Long term treatment-resistant infection in both big toe nails means I haven’t had a pedicure in around 10 years and feel super embarrassed about my feet. I miss my pretty summer sandals!

I’m getting married and will be spending time in a swimming costume for the honeymoon. I really want to feel better about my feet.

I wouldn’t go to a nail salon with the nail infection but I do miss the general foot care aspect. Around work, parenting and an aversion to ‘pampering’, I don't do regular self care and have lots of hard skin.

Google tells me that a podiatrist can take care of nails (trimming I guess) and that they also remove hard skin. I thought podiatrists were for foot issues related to insteps, etc. Does anyone have experience of a podiatrist helping with what I’ve described? I’d have to get over a lot of embarrassment to book an appointment and go without nail varnish.

I don't have what you describe but I do go to a podiatrist regularly for involuted toenails. She also does the dead skin but also checks for a good pulse etc. I'd say book yourself in - you've nothing to lose and trust me they'll have seen everything!!

My podiatrist has at her clinic someone who does exactly that - clinical standard pedicures for people with foot health needs. They're not a clinical podiatrist but a "foot care and pedicurist". I've never used them (I see the podiatrist) but she does speak highly of those services.

Call a local podiatry clinic and ask. I think this will work out well for you and you'll find someone you can see more regularly.

Oh, and if I were you I'd also see the podiatrist themselves for a general tidy up - mine always clears my hard skin and leaves my feet lovely (ish) alongside the clinical checks that I go to her for. She says she sees a lot of people with fungal infections - that's bread and butter work for her.

I go to one and she cuts the nails back as far as she can every 6/8 weeks (depending upon your nail growth). She also thins the nails and gives them a good going over. It’s nice to have someone help and give advice. She doesn’t ‘cure’ them per se but makes the process easier and I buy over the counter stuff to use every day. She will also tend to the rest of your feet.
Absolutely no reason to be embarrassed, they see a lot worse than dodgy toenails and besides, you don’t choose podiatry as a career if you are squeamish !

Thank you for the reassurance! Logically know it’s nothing to be embarrassed about but I suppose am a bit squeamish myself. I will call the one I’ve found tomorrow and see what they say about treatments.

I started seeing a podiatrist every few months and it's made a big difference. They do proper nail care, sort out hard skin, and keep an eye on anything that might turn into an issue. For fungal nails specifically, the regular debridement really helped.

@Celledora I have used a podiatrist in the past but now see a chiropodist and she definitely would tidy toe nails and deal with rough skin etc.

I would phone round your local podiatrists and chiropodists and see who would offer the service you are looking for.

When ds was about 2 he had a fungal nail infection, doctor couldn't treat it as he was too young but someone recommended Golden seal tincture. It comes in a small bottle and is bright yellow a bit like tumeric. Don't use when planning on wearing sandals for obvious reasons but it worked within weeks and he's never had it since . Drop It on the toenail and get it all in behind the nail as much as you can . It was quite amazing.

Just typed a long response to this then managed to delete it! In my experience, I'd go see your GP for treatment, a podiatrist will help but you'll need Terbinafine to clear it and regular blood tests just to make sure your liver isn't affected. Ive had 6 months treatment and my nails look healthy and I don't need to hide them anymore! So worth it and it's extremely common so don't feel embarrassed.

My podiatrist has a surgical qualification, and uses a sharp blade to remove corns and hard skin. She is very skilled and I never feel anything. Her clinic also treats fungal nails. Shop around for a good podiatry clinic near you b

I know it is not what you have asked for but i successfully treated an awful nail infection with daily application of Vicks vaporub. (where the OTC ttt failed)