Fungal Nails

Fungal nails (onychomycosis) can make a person feel very self-conscious and embarrassed, however there is no need as about 5.5% of the world's population suffer from nail fungus and it is the most common nail disorder podiatrist see.

Diagnosis is important as nails can be deformed, discoloured or thicken due to other reasons such as trauma, inflammatory skin conditions e.g. Psoriasis, growths under the nail or in rare cases skin cancers.

Fungal nails are caused by organisms called dermatophyte, mould or yeast.

Risk factors include:

• Age 60yrs or older.

• Trauma ( which can predispose you to nail infection ).

• Foot fungus.

• Diabetes.

• Immunosuppressive.

• Inflammatory skin conditions.

• Genetic prediction to catching the infection.

• People who do lots of sports activities (e.g. cycling to work)

The consultation will include:

• Diagnosis through clinical observation and/or a test (test is extra £30).

• Nails cut back and drilled flat.

• Information on treatment and prevention in the future.

• GP letter if your podiatrist recommends oral terbinafine.

• Whetstone Podiatry also offers nail Fenestration £60

Where small holes drilled through nail to the nail bed and anti-fungal ointment applied this allows treatment to penetrate deeper into the nail and work on the nail bed with a follow up every 6 weeks to reassess.