Rancid fungus festering under my nails

[smilingcrow]

Why does this happen? I have it on my wee toes and need to rid myself from this grotesque invasion. I tried one before where I file off the top layer of the nail and apply a liquid but this didn't work. Any ideas?

[ojread2]

nail fungus is very hard to get rid of, needs more than one application to work, takes months to clear up properly, and is best diagnosed by you GP for best treatment

[pastafreak]

Tea tree oil is often helpful.

[jomifl]

Rancid? probably not. There are several topical treatments that you can get over the counter but you do have to apply them for a long time (months) Once the fungus has got inside the nail it is very difficult to treat. To be on the safe side you need to treat it until the affected nail has grown out. If these fail an oral course of antibiotics (prescription) should do the job.

[ojread2]

Tea tree wont help a fungal infection I'm afraid - might make it smell better though ;-)

[jomifl]

Agree completely oj.

[Mosaic]

A course of lamisil tablets will attack the fungus- prescription only and probably best laying off the gin whilst taking them.

[ubasses]

I have been using curanail for 2 years and my big toe nails have just about grown out. Dr advised if I needed tablets they are quite nasty and have to be taken for 6 months.

[maggiebee]

Had quite bad fungal nail infection on my big toenails some time ago. Doc prescribed lamisil "paint". Every day filed the surface of the nail lightly and painted on the lamisil. If memory serves me well it didn't take too long to clear up.

[lcg]

you can get antibiotics from your gp to move stubborn infections. i did it and now have beautiful pinkies for the first time in ages! well worth it - as you have already tried the paint stuff, your gp should be happy to prescribe.

[pastafreak]

Regarding tea tree-it worked for me...and studies done at the Mayo Clinic in the States have apparently shown its effectiveness.

[ojread2]

apparently?
Any medical trials to prove this?
I'm all for holistic treatments but fungal infections in toes are notoriously hard to shift and tea tree oil will not get rid of it

[pastafreak]

I have only seen several references in articles about fungal nail treatments,to a study or studies carried out at the Mayo Clinic.
I decided to try tea tree oil based on the knowledge that it is known to be both anti-bacterial and anti-fungal....and on seeing numerous anecdotal posts on internet forums. All I can say is that it did work....so I suppose my evidence is anecdotal also. ;-)

[gingejbee]

The oral medications that are being suggested are not antibiotics - they are (not surprisingly) anti-fungals.

[seadogg]

Tried T Tree on Madame S but no joy (though it may help prevent fungus). Lamisil did the trick. Guess its horses for courses Pasta

[ojread2]

Well, pasta, if it worked for you .. :-)