[SheilaKathy]

Fungal Infection

It was so awful, it felt like little things BITING me under my finger nails. My nail beds were starting to recede. In other words, if this thing continued, I would lose all my finger nails eventually!

So a Dr. at Urgent Care gave me a 42 day prescription for an anti-fungal.

I have to have my liver tested in 2 weeks, to make sure that this medicine is not damaging it. UGH!

I have a weak immune system because of the Lyme Disease that my body has been fighting since about 1985. So, this is why something like this can plague me to begin with. I had antibiotics awhile back for a sinus infection. That put my whole system out of whack.

I have to eat yogurt and all that too, of course. And I am taking a lot of probiotics too, naturally.

[Travelinglady]

Oh, dear. Hope it clears up soon.

[AllenRobinson]

i hope you have to clean the fungus very soon on this time i will just suggestion that as possible you have to clean the fungus other wise this will effect to your body and your health thank you.

[SheilaKathy]

Yes, I have been cleaning it. Thanks.

[Fresia]

For anyone that cannot take the anti-fungals or if it doesn't work: Because I am on too many meds that process through the liver, the anti-fungal medication was not an option. It was recommended by the doctor to use tamanu oil daily. It is slower than the anti-fungals but works well. It gets rubbed on the affected nail and surrounding bed and area. It is soothing for the surrounding tissue. Also then to once a week buff/lightly file the top of the nails, but disinfect or dispose of the file using a fresh or clean one each time. It's been 6 weeks now, no sign of the infection with healthy pink nail beds and with attached nails, none falling off.

I hope it clears up soon for you.

[Rose76]

I'm sorry you've developed this troubling ailment. As a nurse, I've cared for lots of people with fungal infections of toenails, and my boyfriend has that problem with his toenails, so I've been reading up on the subject. I don't have experience seeing this problem in fingernails, but I would think some principles that apply are the same.

My first concern would be that 42 days of antifungal medication is too short a course of treatment. When you stop, you might lose any benefit you obtained. At the foot clinic where I bring my s.o., they told me that any treatment needs to last at least 18 months because it takes that long for a toenail to grow out. Fingernails grow faster than toenails, but I'm doubting that a fingernail is completely replaced in 42 days. I could be wrong. I'ld put a mark at the base of one nail with a permanent marker and watch it advance forward. The oral meds are toxic and you don't want to take them for a long while. But, if your liver function tests out normal, maybe you could be given them longer.

I, myself, am suspicious of fake nails as possibly creating a environment that allows the growth of fungus. If you get them applied, I'ld stop for a year. Also, I would recommend not ever cutting your cuticles, as is done in professional manicures. Furthermore, I would not have a salon manicure for a year. I have no expertise on which to base my advice. These are just my intuitive thoughts.

I knew a surgeon who recommended rubbing Vicks vaporub everyday on fungal toenails. Probably wouldn't hurt to put it on fingernails. OTC products that end in "-zole" are good for itchy feet caused by fungal growth. I like the liquid sprays. (clotrimazole, miconazole) They're not cheap, but they've helped my feet. Throw out any kitchen rubber gloves you've had for awhile. They might be good to use, but replace them often.

I'ld be very interested to know if the prescription pills clears this up for you. I'll be checking this thread. Keep posting. Good luck.

[Shazerac]

I've also heard that Tea Tree oil helps. Had a friend who got rid of hers this way. She had taken antidungal meds for months and it wasn't helping.

[SheilaKathy]

I'm using the tea tree oil, the lady at the Health Food Store recommended it. So far the biting sensations have stopped. They were occurring at the spot where the nailbed and the natural extension of the nail when it grows out meet. I think the tea tree oil has helped with that aspect anyway. I am also using an anti-fungal liquid that I brush on my nailbeds too. I will stop cutting cuticles as much as I can, but I have some that need it now as they hang loose. I keep my nails short and have never had a manicure but once. That was years ago. Never had any fake nails.

I have toenail fungus too. How it spread to my fingernails is that I was pulling my varicose vein stockings inside out with my hands and no gloves. I grabbed the spot where my toenails had been and pulled the socks right side out. I had no clue this would spread the infection from my toenails to my fingernails, but obviously it did. I caught the toenail fungus from my mother's shower stall many years ago. I have never been able to get rid of it!