Fungal Skin & Nail Infections
The Podiatrists will take time to understand any concerns you may have about your feet, and discuss a treatment plan that suits your individual needs.
What is a fungal nail?
Fungal toenails are exceptionally common and are actually usually an infection of the nail bed rather than the nail itself resulting in discolouration, thickening and breakdown. They can be difficult to treat as most over-the-counter treatments are usually topical and not effective enough in penetrating the nail plate to reach the active infection on the nail bed. 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. The five-minute fungus test has an accuracy of 97% for the most common nail dermatophytes. The five-minute test requires us to collect a sample from your nail which is quick and painless, and results are given in the clinic on the same day.
Further, we can take a nail biopsy, by clipping off part of the nail and sending it to the laboratory for analysis, This usually takes 3 weeks to confirm the diagnosis.
What treatments do you offer for fungal nails?
Burring
This involves burring the back of the damaged nail in order to expose the infected nail bed and allow topical treatments to be applied by you.
Nail Surgery
This involves the removal of the nail under local anaesthetic and removing all nail fungi from the nail bed. Ensuring the nail bed is treated with an antifungal agent, and a new healthy nail is able to grow back.
Oral Anti-fungal Tablets
If appropriate we can write to your GP to request that you be prescribed oral anti-fungal tablets.
Athletes Foot
What is Athlete's Foot?
The athlete's foot (tinea pedis) is a fungal infection resulting in the skin becoming cracked, red, itchy, scaly dry, discoloured or blistered. This occurs particularly in the spaces between the toes (inter-digitally) as the fungus tends to favour moist, dark warm areas. This is a contagious condition that is not limited to athletes and can be spread from person to person when they walk on a contaminated surface.
Although an athlete's foot is usually not serious, if left untreated, it can spread to other parts of the body or other people. Cracks caused by an athlete's foot could also act as a portal of entry for bacteria which could cause bacterial infection.
What treatments do you offer for Athlete's Foot?
During your treatment, your podiatrist will explain the treatment regime that you need to follow which often involves the use of creams, sprays or liquids and following good foot hygiene.
