Why Can Fungal Nail Infection Be So Difficult to Cure?

Fungal nail infections are surprisingly common! Nail fungus begins as white or yellow spots under the tip of your fingernail or toe. Infections do have a tendency to spread, penetrating deeper layers of skin or nail, and when they do, this can cause your nails to discolour, thicken and crumble at the edges. Whilst fungal infection is not a serious health matter, it can be rather embarrassing. It can also be difficult and time consuming to treat.

How do I know if I have a nail fungus?
You may have a nail fungus if you have one or more of these symptoms:

  • Thickened nails
  • Discoloured nails (white or yellow-brown)
  • Brittle or crumbly nails
  • Nail shape distortion
  • Dark colours under the beds of  your nails
  • Slightly foul smell under or around the nails


As in any infection, it is advisable to seek treatment as early as possible. In the early stages, you may treat it with an over the counter fungal infection cream or antifungal cream for your feet. 

You should talk to your GP if self care steps and over the counter medications do not help to eradicate the early stages of your fungal infection, especially if your nails become increasingly more discoloured, thickened or deformed. Fungal infections are particularly important to treat if you are diabetic. Fungal infections can lead to serious complications such as limb amputations for diabetics, so do address this with your GP.

If you have a more advanced case of fungal nail infection, you can receive other medications by prescriptions. Your GP can prescribe oral antifungal medications, fungicides and antifungal creams for your nail fungus infection. 

Why are fungal infections so hard to treat?
Fungus infections can be hard to get rid of because they tend to spread deeply into and between layers of nail and skin. In some persistent infections, the infection can actually spread into the cells that make the nail, which leads to a fungal infection that is very hard to get rid of since the cells that manufacture the toenail have become infected. Unless you are diabetic, however, nail fungus infections don’t usually lead to more serious medical problems, even though they can take a very long time to treat. 

Pearl Chemist can provide a wide variety of nail fungus treatment options. Visit us in store or online for doorstep delivery anywhere in the UK.  www.pearlchemist.co.uk