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I’ve had a toenail infection for YEARS and nothing will cure it, help

Published on April 05, 2025 at 09:36 PM

Q) I’VE suffered from a toenail infection in both big toes for a number of years and nothing seems to cure it.

My GP said to paint my toenails if it bothers me. I know it needs treating and I was hoping you could suggest a treatment?

Dr. Zoe holding a stethoscope. — Email your health queries to Dr Zoe Williams at [email protected]

Woman painting her toenails. — This week Dr Zoe helps a reader with a fungal toenail infection

A) Fungal toenail infections are extremely common and often the advice is to leave them alone if they are not progressing or affecting the person’s quality of life.

So for some people simply painting over them, if that does the job, would be appropriate.

However, I appreciate that this isn’t satisfactory to you and if that’s the case there are two other options to treat them.

The treatment available on the NHS is a prolonged course of oral antifungal medication.

Your GP will need to check your liver is healthy before starting this treatment as antifungals can sometimes negatively impact liver function.

Be aware you usually have to take the tablets for many months and like all medications, they have side effects, which can include headaches, feeling sick and diarrhoea.

The other option which you would have to pay privately for is laser treatment to the .

For very early stage fungal toenail infection, you can buy a topical nail lacquer from the pharmacy.

If it has developed fully, the nail will look discoloured, white or yellow, and it will become thicker.

If it has advanced to the point that it is painful, when the nail crumbles away leaving it too short, I can see why you would like to get this sorted.