Fungal infections of the nail are more common in young people who have a lot of trauma to the nails. If they are having repeated trauma to the nails because they are playing football or wearing too tight shoes or in people who are diabetics, people who are older, people who have lot of work in water these are people who are generally prone to get fungal infections of the nail. Once the fungus gets in to the nail this is a very difficult area for us to treat because the nail is an avascular structure. There is no blood supply to the nail itself and the medicines that we give will have to cross over this blood stream into the nail itself and it takes a long time. Usually treatment is given as long as the fungus completely leaves the nail. That means if you have a finger nail infection it can last up to 6 weeks and if it is a toe nail infection it might take 3 to 4 months for the fungal infection to completely clear out. That means if you take oral fungal treatments for such a long time there is going to be some amount of burden for your liver or kidney because they have to metabolise these fungal tablets. Doctors usually suggest two types of treatments. One is topical antifungal lotion which is available as a nail varnish which can be repeated by the patient at home. Nowadays laser treatment as well where laser has been found to be very effective in reducing the fungal load and you are not very keen on taking oral treatment these are non tablet treatments which are now available which will help in fungal infections.

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