Fungal Nail Treatment & Athletes Foot
Fungal Nail Infection (Onychomycosis) is the most difficult of the superficial fungal infections to treat. This is because most treatments available are topical agents and these are ineffective at penetrating the nail plate to reach the active infection on the nail bed (the skin under the nail) rather than the nail itself.
Diagnosis is quick and painless. If we need to confirm the presence of the infection, we can include our simple “Five minute fungal nail test” to give you a speedy, on-the-spot result. Further we can take a nail biopsy, clipping off part of the nail and send it to the laboratory for testing. We use an advanced test called PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) to find small amounts of DNA in a sample, using a process known as amplification. It takes between one and three weeks to confirm the diagnosis.
This creates a lacuna effect, allowing you to apply a special anti-fungal spray at home that will work underneath the nail plate. It targets the fungal nail at its very core. If traditional treatments haven’t worked it’s usually because they can’t reach the right places. This treatment needs to be carried out over multiple appointments, approximately once a month, to get the full effect and give you maximum relief.
Athlete’s foot also known as Tinea Pedis, is a common form of fungal infection. It is often picked up in both outdoor and indoor, such as moist environments of pools, gym and showers. Footwear and socks can also encourage fungae to thrive especially if you have sweaty feet.
- Moist white areas in-between the toes commonly in-between the small toes
- small spot like blisters
- intense itching of the feet
- redness and scaling on the soles
Treatment
Over the counter powders or creams containing terbinafine such as Lamisil and ensure you continue 1-2 weeks after the infection has cleared.
Prevention
- keep your feet clean and dry between your toes especially
- wash your feet with soap and water
- wear clean, cotton socks and wash your shoes often
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