Newcastle Foot Health Clinic Ltd

Fungal and Thickened Nails

Fungal Nails or Onychomycosis present in different ways yellow, white, brittle, soft, thickened and thin. The change in appearance of the nail is due to moulds or yeasts which 'feed' on the dermatocytes in the nails.

Between 5-10% of the population have a fungal nail infection the onset of fungal nails is insidious, once established they are notouriously difficult to cure and can take up to 18months of constant topical treatments.
Oral medications are available to treat the nails and take approx 3months to kill the fungus however they have side effects. A Podiatrist can safely debride the nails giving a more favourable cosmetic appearance after just one treatment which can last up to 6 months.

Fungal nails can be reconstructed if required again giving the appearance of a normal nail enabling patients to wear open sandles and not be embarassed with the nails.

Many people have thickened nails (Onychauxis) due to damaged nail beds/matrix or from systemic disease such as psoriasis. These types of nail are thick, extremely hard and need drill or scalpel debridement before they can be cut effectively.

Sometimes these type of nails grow thicker on one side this is deemed (Onychogryphosis).The thickened nails can exert pressure on the underlying toe making footwear selection difficult, potentially causing bleed under the nail, ulceration or Onchophosis (corn under the nail)