Fungal Nails – Assessment, Testing & Treatment
Fungal nail infections are a common problem affecting both toenails and fingernails. At The Foot Clinic Leeds, we offer professional fungal nail assessment and treatment advice in our Roundhay and Adel clinics. Fungal infections can cause nails to become discoloured, thickened, brittle or distorted.
At The Foot Clinic Leeds, we can help assess and manage fungal nails, offering professional nail care, testing where appropriate and advice on the treatment options that may be suitable for you.
Early assessment is important. We recommend seeking advice as soon as you notice signs of discolouration or changes to your nails. The earlier a fungal nail infection is assessed, the more treatment options may be available. As more nails become affected, treatment options can become more limited and less effective.
What causes fungal nails?
Fungal nail infections develop when fungi infect the nail, causing changes to its appearance and structure. Common signs include:
- Yellow, white or brown discolouration.
- Thickened nails that are difficult to cut.
- Brittle, crumbly or damaged nail edges.
- Nails becoming distorted or separating from the nail bed.
- Infection spreading to other toenails.
Not all discoloured or thickened nails are caused by fungal infections, which is why an assessment is important before considering treatment.
How can we help?
Fungal nails can become particularly thick and difficult to manage, making routine nail care challenging.
Our podiatrists can assist with your nail care by carefully cutting and thinning affected nails, helping to keep them comfortable and manageable.
During your appointment, your podiatrist will:
- Review your completed health declaration.
- Consider any medication you are currently taking.
- Discuss any previous treatments or products you may have tried.
- Assess your feet and affected nails.
- Discuss the options that may be appropriate for your individual circumstances.
There are various factors to consider when managing fungal nails, and not every treatment is suitable for everyone. Your podiatrist will discuss the available options and make recommendations based on your individual assessment.
We also stock a range of products that may help with the management of fungal nails. Depending on your assessment and individual circumstances, your podiatrist may recommend one or more of these products as part of your ongoing nail care. These are optional and would be charged separately from your appointment fee. Your podiatrist will discuss any additional costs with you before you decide whether to proceed.
At The Foot Clinic Leeds, we also offer Clearanail, a specialist mechanical fenestration treatment for fungal nail infections. The treatment involves creating tiny perforations in the affected nail to help topical products penetrate the nail plate.
Whether Clearanail is suitable for you will depend on several factors, including the extent of the infection and the condition of your nails.
To find out more, visit our dedicated Clearanail treatment page.
Fungal nail testing
Where appropriate, we can also offer an in-clinic fungal nail test.
£50 – Optional test
The test uses a sample taken from an affected nail to check for the presence of dermatophytes, a common group of fungi responsible for fungal nail infections.
Unlike traditional laboratory testing, our in-clinic test provides a result within minutes, helping your podiatrist establish whether dermatophyte infection is present and inform discussions about suitable treatment options.
Testing is not necessary or suitable for every patient and your podiatrist will advise whether it is appropriate following your assessment.
When should I see my GP?
Some fungal nail infections can be particularly extensive or severe. Depending on the appearance of your nails, your general health and other factors, your podiatrist may recommend that you seek further advice from your GP.
This is particularly important where treatment options need to be considered alongside existing medical conditions or medication.
Booking an appointment
If you have fungal nails and have not attended The Foot Clinic Leeds within the last two years, please book a New Patient Routine Treatment appointment.
The appointment costs £55 and includes all routine podiatry treatment. This allows your podiatrist to assess your nails, undertake routine nail care and discuss the options that may be suitable for you.
If an in-clinic fungal nail test is considered appropriate, this can be discussed during your appointment at an additional cost of £50.
If you have already attended within the last two years, please book an existing patient Routine Treatment appointment.
Please ensure that any nail varnish, gel polish or other nail coatings are removed before attending your appointment, as your podiatrist will need to see your natural nails to assess their condition properly.
Don't wait until your nails become increasingly difficult to manage. If you have noticed changes in the colour, thickness or appearance of your nails, we recommend arranging an assessment sooner rather than later.
Book your appointment with The Foot Clinic Leeds today.
If you have attended the clinic previously but it has been more than two years since your last appointment, you will need to book a New Patient Appointment so that we can update your records and obtain a new consent for treatment.
