What is a fungal nail infection?
What is a fungal nail infection?
Fungal infection of the nails is seen more commonly in the toenails than the fingernails. Its medical term is onychomycosis or tinea unguim and is similar to the fungus that causes athletes foot. It often begins in one nail and if not treated may spread to other nails sometimes infecting all of them.
Appearance of fungal toenail infection
Appearance of fungal toenail infection
In the early stages the nail often develops a yellowish or white dot or streak which spreads and often causes the nail to thicken over time. In advanced stages it can become extremely brittle, discoloured and detach from the nail bed. This makes the nail difficult to cut and sometimes painful due to pressure from footwear.
What causes fungal toenail infection ?
What causes fungal toenail infection ?
It is the most common nail disorder and occurs almost exclusively in adults, its prevalence increases with age and underlying nail disease. Fungi thrive in warm and moist conditions such as swimming pools, locker room floors and humid working conditions. Closed in particularly synthetic footwear such as trainers and tight shoes that cramp the toes together, Certain medical conditions such as diabetes and where the immune system is compromised. Cross infection from instruments and foot baths that are not sterilized from pedicures.
How can we treat fungal nails and how does it work?
How can we treat fungal nails and how does it work?
Clearanail is a new treatment device based on Controlled Micro Penetration technology. It is a safe quick and virtually painless procedure. Micro holes of 0.4mm in diameter controlled by a computer are made through the nail plate to the infection underneath on the nail bed or root. This allows the topical anti fungal solution supplied to penetrate through the nail to where it is needed to treat the underlying infection. This is much more effective than topical treatment alone as it is not able to penetrate the nail and reach the source of infection beneath on the nail bed.
Treatment pathway
Treatment pathway
At your first visit the podiatrist will take your details, medical history and make an assessment of your nails. We have a test available that is 97% accurate to confirm the presence of fungus as some nails may be thickened and discolored but not infected. This incurs an extra cost of 40 pounds (optional) if diagnosis is not certain. If the nails are thickened and do not show any clinical signs of infection the cosmetic appearance can be greatly improved by thinning of the nail with a podiatry drill. On confirmation the effected nails are gently filed to reduce thickness with a podiatry drill and cleansed to prepare the nails for treatment. A photo will be taken at this stage and at each appointment to evaluate the progress of the treatment. Numerous holes are made in the nail plate of the infected nails using the Clearanail hand piece micro penetration system. Once sufficient holes are made, a topical anti-fungal solution will be issued with instructions and a review date in eight weeks. At this first review date more holes may be necessary and the second review end of treatment appointment time is made in another eight weeks.
As the nail grows forward the nail begins to clear from the base and grows out towards the free edge. Daily application of Terbinifine soloution and good foot hygiene including treatment of any athletes foot is essential as well as footwear decontamination with foot spray.
What will it cost?
What will it cost?
The first appointment new patient assessment and diagnosis £35.00. Fungal test if required (optional) £40.00
The Clearanail treatment includes the first set of holes and a anti-fungal solution with two follow up review appointments with a second set of holes if required £150.00.
For more information and testimonials click here
For more information and testimonials click here