Fungal nail infections or onychomycosis often show up as discoloration of the nails, or white soft patches on the nail. They are extremely common. This kind of infection can spread across the toes, and can result in the loss of the nail if allowed to progress unchecked.
There are many over the counter remedies and prescribed medicines for fungal nails, but the key with all of them is persistence. If you discontinue treatment before the nail has grown through completely clear, it is highly likely that the fungus will re-infect. There are also systemic medicines available on prescription, but as they have very severe side effects, they should only be used as a last resort.
In my clinic I see a lot of people will some kind of fungal infection of the nail, and there are two remedies I like to recommend. The first is tea tree oil, which is well known for it’s anti fungal properties, but the second is rather unusual. The podiatrist who trained me, Bernard Pink, told me that rubbing vaporub over the affected nails regularly, had really good results. I have been recommending this treatment to my clients now for some time, and I can say that every client who has used vaporub regularly on their affected nails, has seen a vast improvement, with the nails growing through clear, and with the area affected by the fungus reduced. The additional benefit of this is, that vaporub is very inexpensive and a pot will last for months, unlike any other treatment you can use.
Part of any Foot Health treatment is to reduce the thickness of any nails, and this is especially important with fungal nails. Reducing the thickness of the nails exposes the areas with the fungus, and allows whatever treatment people are using to be more easily absorbed, making it more effective.
If you would like more advice on fungal nail infections, and you live in the Bristol area, call Kate on 0117 950 6629 or 07811 619860
