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
- 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.
The two medicines most commonly prescribed for fungal nail infection are terbinafine and itraconazole.
These can be very effective in the treatment of 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, some people prefer not to treat the infection with medication as side effects can sometimes include:
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.
Foot care tips
During and after your treatment, there are a few steps you can take to help keep the infection at bay, listed below.
- Keep your feet cool and dry and wear shoes and socks that allow your feet to breathe. Wear clean cotton socks and avoid wearing trainers.
- Treat athlete's foot with antifungal medicine as soon as possible to avoid spreading the infection to your nails.
- Clip your nails to keep them short.
- Use a separate pair of clippers or scissors to cut the infected nail, to avoid spreading the infection to other nails.
- Wear well-fitting shoes, without high heels or narrow toes.
- Maintain good foot hygiene.
- Wear clean shower shoes when using a communal shower.
- Consider seeking treatment from a podiatrist if thickened toenails cause discomfort when walking.
- Consider replacing old footwear, as this could be contaminated with fungal spores.
Read more information about how to keep your feet healthy.
