Should my GP take my fungal nail infection more seriously ?

[Pinkflora]

Hi all, I have a fungal infection under every single one of my fingernails. My nails are discoloured and virtually falling off. I have been to see the GP who sent off some scrapings for testing. The results were ‘inconclusive but probably a fungal infection - more testing required ‘!) I’ve called my GP twice now for a further consultation and have not heard back. I feel guilty for taking up his time when obviously it’s not life threatening, but my poor fingers are so sore! Any advice as to what I can use to treat them? I currently clean them daily and treat with 100% tea tree oil.

Many thanks in advance,

Cat

[GAtherton Administrator Fungal Infection Trust]

Standard NHS advice is here nhs.uk/conditions/fungal-na...

You could try asking a pharmacist for some antifungal cream while you wait.

[Pinkflora in reply to GAtherton]

Oh um thank you I guess? I’ve obviously scoured the internet, including the NHS website ( which was where I found a link to this site incidentally!). Also the GP said not to bother with over the counter remedies as they were unlikely to work.

[Villaman]

Hi,I read your comments about your nails, and to say to you that a massive dose of steroids will make them so much better in a short time, but it might return back gradually,I can tell you this because my wife had exactly the same and suffered for about 7 yearsSome of the nails actually fell of and were thick and yellow and she was in a lot of pain and became increasingly depressed unable to even do the buttons on her trousers up with out pain,she also had light treatment which improved them, eventually she improved and it disappeared totally and now her nails are back to being perfect.

X

[findy]

Tea Tree oil will not work. Nor mouthwash. My wife tried every treatment that is non-prescription for years. Doctor said fungal pills can damage the liver and didn't give her anything while her nails were disgusting and breaking off. I went to mexico and got her Turbafine pills. She took it for 30 days, even though she was supposed to take it for 60 and it cleared up completely when they grew all the way in. So the fresh healthy nail will grow in and you have to wait till the bad nail slowly gets replaced. After half the nail is healthy you can stop taking antifungals usually. I heard Itraconozole works too. You should not have to live with a fungus that took over your nails. Thats what doctor are for but you can't rely on them. They are smart but sometimes soooo stupid. Why are they checking what type of fungus in the toenail. Are they not sure it's a fungus at all. How dumb- all you have to do is look at the nail to know it has a fungus- then you give anti-fungal nail meds. In mexico I told the doctor my wife had nail fungus-He asked if she had liver problems. I said no. He said have her take 1 of these a day for 60 days.2 minutes and done. BTW we live in US

[findy]

Cream will not work. Anti fungal oil will not work. Nothing external will work on toenails. Take antifungal pills. Don't take a massive dose of steroids either like a post said. Anti-FUNGAL to kill fungus and done