You may not need any treatment if your fungal nail infection is mild. However, if you do not treat the infection, there is a chance it will spread to other nails.
Serious fungal nail infections need to be treated. The main treatments are:
- antifungal tablets, and
- antifungal nail paints.
Your pharmacist or GP will advise you whether you need treatment, and if so, which type you need.
Antifungal tablets
Taking antifungal medication in the form of tablets means that the treatment reaches your nail via your bloodstream.
This can be a very effective way of treating fungal infections. However, you may have to take the tablets for several months to ensure that the infection has completely gone. Stopping the medication too early can mean that the infection comes back.
An advantage of the antifungal tablets is that they will clear any associated fungal skin infections, such as athlete’s foot, at the same time.
However, side effects can occur, such as headache, itching, loss of sense of taste, nausea and diarrhoea (see Medicines info).
Antifungal nail paint
If you prefer not to take antifungal tablets, your GP may suggest you try antifungal nail paint instead.
Nail paint is not considered as effective as the tablets because it has to be painted onto the infected nail and work its way through to the infection. It can be difficult to reach all of the infection.
A fingernail can need around six months of treatment, and a toenail up to twelve months.
Foot care during your treatment
During your treatment, you should start to see a new healthy nail begin to grow from the base of the nailbed. This is a sign that the treatment is working. The old infected nail should begin to grow out and can be clipped away over a few months.
Speak to your GP if you do not begin to see a new nail growing after taking your treatment for two to three weeks. Keep using the treatment until your GP says it is ok to stop. If you stop the treatment too early, the infection could return.
