Fungal Nail

At Go Podiatry we understand that fungal nail can be frustrating and unsightly, despite your best efforts. Sometimes your discoloured nail is due to thickening/trauma and not an infection. We will give advice regarding the status of your nail.

Fungal nail treatments are not often short-term – it can take many months for an infection to reduce or grow out completely.  Also, studies show that about 25% of infections recur within 3 years unless you maintain an appropriate foot care regime. 

Superficial infections can respond to treatments applied to the nail (topical treatments used at home – which requires patience and dedication), often supported by your Podiatrist thinning the nail using a gentle spray burr. However, without professional guidance as to the best treatment for you, many over the counter treatments can fail as they cannot penetrate the nail plate. The actual infection is on the skin under the nail (i.e. the nail bed) – not the nail itself. 

Micro-drilling treatments such as Lacuna TM  can be very effective. These make tiny holes in the nail plate to allow a topical medicament to be administered by you on a daily basis. 

Lacuna Method TM

We can offer the Lacuna method of treating fungal nails. By introducing micro-holes through the nail plate, an anti-fungal solution can be applied daily and reach the nail bed (the site of infection) directly. 

The affected nails may be reduced in thickness before Lacuna method is used. 

A before and after photo may be taken and 6 weekly appointments are often advised during the course of treatment.  A specific review is often suggested after 4 treatments (i.e. at 6 months) – although it may take much longer to see positive outcomes. 

Short-term studies have been very encouraging although no treatment can be guaranteed to be 100% successful. 

There are also treatments by mouth (oral treatments) when you may be prescribed systemic anti-fungal tablets by your GP. This is often the most effective treatment option for more difficult to treat infections.  However, these tablets can have some side effects and many patients prefer a topical treatment where possible.