Fungal nail infection

Fungal nail infections usually affect your toenails, but you can sometimes get them on your fingernails, too.

Fungal nail infections usually start at the edge of the nail.

The infection often spreads to all of the nail, making it thicker and turning it white or yellow.

The nail may become brittle and crumbly. The whole nail can sometimes lift off, causing the skin around it to become swollen and painful.

Speak to a pharmacist if the look of your nail bothers you or it's painful.

They may suggest trying an antifungal nail medicine that you brush onto the affected nail.

These medicines:

• should be used daily or weekly, depending on the type
• need to be used for 6 to 12 months – it may take several months before you start to see an improvement
• may not be suitable for you if you're under 18, pregnant or breastfeeding

The infection is cured when you see healthy nail growing back at the base.

You have a fungal nail infection and:

• the infection is severe and treatment has not worked
• the infection has spread to other nails
• you have diabetes – foot problems can be more serious if you have diabetes
• you have a weakened immune system – for example, you have had an organ transplant or are having chemotherapy

A GP can prescribe antifungal tablets if you have a fungal nail infection and treatments from a pharmacy have not worked.

Before they give you tablets, they might take a sample of your nail and have it tested, to find out what type of infection you have.

You may also need to have a blood test before starting treatment and during treatment to check your liver is working properly.

You may need to take antifungal tablets for up to 6 months.

The tablets can have side effects, including:

• headaches
• an itchy rash
• stomach ache
• feeling sick and diarrhoea

You cannot take antifungal tablets if you have certain conditions, such as liver or kidney disease. They may also not be suitable if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.

Badly infected nails sometimes need to be removed. It's a small procedure done while the area is numbed (under local anaesthetic).

You can get a fungal nail infection if your feet are constantly warm and damp.

You're more likely to get an infection if you wear trainers for a long time and have hot, sweaty feet.

There are some things you can do to help prevent fungal nail infections.

• treat athlete's foot as soon as possible to avoid it spreading to nails

• keep your nails short

• keep your feet clean and dry

• wear clean socks every day

• wear flip-flops in showers at the gym or pool

• wear shoes that fit well and do not have high heels or narrow toes

• throw out old shoes

• do not wear shoes that make your feet hot and sweaty

• do not share towels

• do not wear other people's shoes

• do not share nail clippers or scissors

A fungal nail infection can affect part or all of your nail. The nail can become thickened, discoloured, brittle and crumbly.

A pharmacist can help if you have a fungal nail infection. They may suggest trying an antifungal medicine that you brush onto the affected nail.

A GP may prescribe antifungal tablets for a fungal nail infection. You may need to take them for up to 6 months.

Things you can do to help prevent fungal nail infections include keeping your feet clean and dry, and treating athlete's foot as soon as possible.