What could it be if not fungal? - Nail Problems Message Board

Shakira · 01-28-2008, 04:30 PM

I sent a toe nail clipping off for a possible fungal infection about 10 weeks ago. I phoned the doctors a week ago to see if the results had come back. They have and they couldn't give me the results on the phone, but they said if there was anything wrong, they would have let me know. So I'm presuming I don't have a fungal infection, as I haven't heard anything. I've made an appointment for next week, as I want to see if there is anything they can do and I want to send a clipping from my toe on the other foot, as that is turning yellow at the end.

But if I don't have fungal infection, what could it be? It looks like one - my toe is swelled below my nail, above my joint and I keep growing a new nail, which turns yellow soon after it grows and I've got about 3 nails at a time, growing over one another. The doctor says they usually drop off before you grow another, but not me, lol!

Every so often, my toe swells up even more, gets painful, then oozes pus, then the new nail turns yellow. Then after a couple of weeks, the swelling goes down, but not totally. What be wrong?

If it's not fungal, I'm glad I don't have to take Lamisil, but I don't really want to live with a nail like that. If I have it removed, I think it would still swell up and turn yellow, but I don't know whether I should have it removed for good, with the root.

Marti · 01-29-2008, 06:42 PM

It sounds more like a Paronychia infection of the nail folds. Fungal infections do not ooze pus. Paronychia is a fungal infection of the skin surrounding the nail unit and is treated with a prescription ointment/cream.

Shakira · 01-30-2008, 05:35 AM

Before I sent the clipping away, another doctor said it was probably a Paronychia and he said the only thing I could do was take Lamisil, as the cream couldn't get in the nail fold around my nail. I wouldn't why my doctor hasn't been in touch? If it was a Paronychia, she still would have been. I'm going on Monday, anyway.

Marti · 01-30-2008, 06:01 AM

The reason? Most doctors do not know much about nail infections. You might want to cancel that appointment and make one with your dermatologist.

Shakira · 01-30-2008, 09:38 AM

We can't do that in the UK. I would probably have to pay to see a dermotoligist. That's if my dotor would even refer me to one. I could suggest trying a cream before Lamisil.