Okay, it might not be the sexiest of topics, but fungal nail infections are very common, affecting 48% of people up to the age of 70.
The best fungal nail treatments will work to return discoloured nails to their healthy-looking best.
Fungal nail infections can occur when your feet are often warm and damp, for example if you wear trainers all the time and consistently get hot and sweaty feet. They're caused by the growth of fungal spores that make their way between the toenail and the skin underneath the nail bed. The spores feed off the skin or the keratin in the nail.
The type of fungi responsible for athlete’s foot, another common foot condition that affects the skin mainly between the toes, can cause the infection to spread to the nails.
According to the NHS, it often starts at the edge of the nail and then spreads to the middle. It can also cause pain and swelling in the skin around the nail.
Remember to always speak to your GP if you are concerned, and also remember to be patient - it can take six months to a year after the treatment has finished before the nail looks normal again.
What are the symptoms?
Nail fungus can affect fingernails as well as toenails. You may have nail fungus if you have one or more of the following symptoms:
- Thickened nails
- Whitish to yellow-brown discoloration on the nail
- Brittle, crumbly or ragged nails
- Nails distorted in shape
- A dark colour, caused by debris building up under your nail
- Smelly
How to prevent fungal nail infections
The following precautions will help to prevent nail fungal infections, or reinfections, including athlete's foot, which can also lead to nail fungus.
- Wash your hands and feet regularly
- Trim nails and smooth the edges, and file down thickened areas
- Wear sweat-absorbing socks or change your socks throughout the day
- Choose shoes made of materials that breathe
- Discard old shoes or treat them with disinfectants or antifungal powders
- Wear footwear in pool and changing areas
- Choose a nail salon that uses sterilized manicure tools for each customer
- Stop using nail polish and artificial nails
What are the types of treatment?
- Antifungal nail treatment: Your doctor or pharmacist may prescribe an antifungal treatment - it can take up to 12 months to cure the infection and does not always work.
- Antifungal nail cream: Used for two weeks to soften the nail so the infected part can be scraped off.
- Oral antifungal drugs: Typically taken from six to 12 weeks. Successful treatment will enable the nail to grow back completely. It can take more than four months to eliminate the infection fully.
Best fungal nail treatment 2021
1. Boots Fungal Nail Treatment Solution
Best over-the-counter footcare treatment
This treatment is simply brushed on twice a day for up to four weeks and promises to offer signs of improvement within a week.
Once a week, carefully file the affected nail. Once the course is completed, you can continue using the solution until the nail has completely grown out. Apply once a day to help prevent recurrence.
2. Scholl Fungal Nail Treatment
Best Scholl treatment
Help to prevent the spread of fungus and protect against recurrence of the issue with this fungal nail treatment.
This treatment involves filing the nail surface once a week, then applying the liquid on the infected nail once a day. Repeat this treatment for the first four weeks. Then from week five, apply the liquid to the infected nail once a week for 9 months or until discolouration has grown out.
3. Excilor Nail Fungus Treatment
Best toenail treatment
Fungal nail infections are difficult to reach and to treat as the infection grows on both the inside and outside of the nail.
This treatment takes a minute a day, and all you need to do is brush it on once in the morning and once in the evening. It works by changing the pH level inside the nail, creating a hostile environment for fungi, inhibiting further growth.
It will support healthy regrowth of the nail, and results will be seen when the nail grows back.
4. Imperial Feet Anti Fungal Nail Treatment
Best anti-fungal nail treatment
This fungal nail treatment comes in the form of drops so there's no contact between the applicator and the infected toenail.
You'll need to file the nail down as thin as possible, before dropping the solution on twice a day to all toenails, not just the infected one, as it can easily spread.
You may notice changes in the first month, but keep treating until the nail has grown out healthy again.
5. Thera Fungal Nail Destroyer
Best nail infection treatment
Restore and revive your nail to a healthy colour once again with this fungal nail treatment, which may start showing results in the first month.
It hydrates the nail plate and smooths damaged layers with a gentle peeling effect.
The brand suggests you apply the treatment for around six months, or until a completely new nail has grown in.
Natural ingredients like tea tree leaf oil and grape seed oil work to degrade the effect of the fungi and create an environment where it can't survive.
6. Canespro Fungal Nail Treatment
Fed up of painful, unsightly nails? This fungal nail treatment can start targeting affected parts in three weeks.
This treatment softens the infected part of the nail, which can then gradually be removed with the plastic tool provided in the set. This gentle removal usually takes two to three weeks, and enables you to get to the main root of the infection under the nail plate.
This treatment is a little more labour-intensive than some others, requiring application of the ointment, covering with a plaster for 24 hours, then soaking in warm water for 10 minutes before scraping off softened parts of the nail using the enclosed plastic scraper.
Once this is done, it's then recommended to use an antifungal cream afterwards until a healthy nail has fully grown in.
7. Gurido Nail Repair Pen
Best Nail pen repair
This easy-to-use brush applicator will start to restore a healthy nail in two to four weeks, but should be used regularly for at least 12 weeks.
Simply brush on three layers (wait for it to dry before applying again) three times a day. And then wait for that smooth, shiny nail to grow back.
8. Naturally Solved Fungal Nail Treatment
Best anti-fungal cream
Tackle discolouration and crumbling with this potent fungal nail treatment.
The cream is made in the UK and contains antibacterial and antimicrobial ingredients, like pomegranate, lavender, eucalyptus, geranium, tea tree, and rosemary oil, to remove nail fungus.
Calendula, avocado and coconut oil also combine to strengthen and restore nails, making them shiny, strong, clear and healthy again.
Apply the cream twice a day until a healthy-looking nail grows in.
