Fungi, Feet and Fabulous Toenails: Our Guide to Fungal Nail Treatment

Have you ever felt embarrassed wearing sandals because of unsightly toenails?  Or have you dodged going barefoot around your friends because you’re scared they'll say, “Ew, what’s wrong with your toenails?” 

Are they becoming yellow, thick or flaky?  Have you noticed an unpleasant odour or pain?

If so, you might be dealing with a common problem… Fungal Nail infection!

Here, we’re diving toes-first into the world of fungal nails and how visiting us at We Fix Feet can make your toes worthy of a foot model! 

What is a Fungal Nail Infection?

Imagine your toenails as a posh garden party and fungi as unwanted gatecrashers. Normally, your nails are strong barriers that keep out bacteria and fungi.  But sometimes, your nail defence lines can weaken due to damp conditions, poor footwear or minor injuries.  That’s when fungi sneak in!

The technical term for this is “Onychomycosis,” but let’s call it a fungal nail infection!  You'll notice that your nails may become discoloured, thickened, and even crumble at the edges.  While it’s usually more of an unsightly issue than a serious health problem, it can cause discomfort and pain and spread if left untreated!   …and nobody wants fungal infections elsewhere!

Time to Put Your Best Foot Forward: Consult Us.

When your toenails are starting to resemble crushed digestive biscuits rather than polished gems, it’s overdue time to visit us!  After examining your feet, we’ll recommend a treatment plan tailored just for you.

What Treatments Can You Expect?

The Consultation

When you first visit, we will ask you some questions and then take a look at your feet.  We can take a tiny sample of your nail to check it with our 5-minute fungal testing kits.  We can also file away and tidy up much of the dead, infected fungal nails without discomfort.   It's like a CSI episode, but just for your feet!

Antifungal Medications

If the results say, “It’s fungi, alright!” or we diagnose you on the day, we might prescribe a few things, for instance, antifungal medications.  You apply these topical treatments directly onto the nail and any infected skin. The idea is to tell those fungi to pack their bags and leave your toenails for good!

Laser Fungal Nail Treatment

Yes, lasers!  No, it's not sci-fi; it's science!  We offer laser treatment to get rid of the fungal toenail infection. The laser effectively zaps the fungi, leaving your healthy toenails and surrounding skin unharmed.  It's like the James Bond of fungal treatments!

Toenail Removal

If the fungal infection is stubbornly clinging onto your toenail and has almost destroyed what remaining nail you have left, the last resort could be removing the affected nail.  It sounds dramatic, but it’s a relatively simple procedure under local anaesthetic and gives your nail the chance of a fresh start.

Aftercare and Prevention

Your treatment doesn’t end when you step out of our Clinic.  We want to become the guardian of your toenails!  So, ensure you:

• Keep Them Dry:  Fungi love damp, dark places.  After showering, thoroughly dry your feet and in between your toes.
  

• Choose Proper Footwear:  Opt for shoes that allow your feet to breathe.  If you’re going to wear socks, make sure they’re moisture-wicking.
  

• Practise Good Hygiene:  Keep your feet clean, and avoid sharing nail clippers or shoes with anyone.
  

• Regular Check-ups:  Once your feet are on the mend, regular visits to us will ensure you're fungi-free and fabulous!

So there you have it, our guide to treating fungal nail infections.  If you suspect this fungal issue, don’t let it “mushroom” into a bigger problem! 

Take your first steps…   Literally…  and visit us for happy, healthy feet you’ll be proud to show off.  After all, our feet carry us through life; it’s time we gave them the TLC they deserve!