Treatment of Fungal Nail Infections

You can treat fungal nail infections with antifungals, which kill the microorganisms responsible and stop the infection.

Antifungals for fungal nail infections come as oral treatments (ones you swallow e.g. tablets) or topical treatments (ones you apply directly to the nail e.g. creams and nail lacquer). You can buy some treatments over the counter from the pharmacy, while for others you will need to get a prescription from your doctor.

For mild fungal nail infections

Effective treatment for mild fungal nail infections is available over the counter from your nearest pharmacy, which means that most cases can be properly treated without an appointment and without the need to consult a doctor. Speak to your pharmacist for advice on curanail, clinically proven to kill the fungus responsible for fungal nail infection.

Curanail is available specifically for mild fungal nail infections. It comes as a nail lacquer (which is applied like nail varnish) and contains amorolfine, an ingredient that was until recently only available on prescription. Unlike some other treatments, Curanail nail lacquer is clinically proven to penetrate into the nail and attack the fungus living inside.

For severe fungal nail infections

Where a large part of the nail is affected or more than two nails are infected, you may need to go to your doctor for a prescription for stronger treatments. All oral treatments are prescription only medicines.

Treatment success

Stick to treatment
It's important to stick to treatment. Antifungal treatments for fungal nail infections take a long time to work as the infection has to be eliminated from the entire nail. The only way this can happen is for the nail to grow out. This can be around 6 months for fingernails and 9-12 months for toenails.

Treat athlete's foot
It's also important that any fungal skin infection, such as athlete's foot, is treated at the same time as fungal toenail infection. This helps prevent the athlete's foot infection spreading into the nails and causing another infection after the fungal nail treatment has been completed.

Choose a treatment that fits in with your routines
Some traditional topical formulations, such as creams and solutions, need to be applied to the nails at least once a day because they are easily wiped or washed off. Amorolfine is applied once a week because the nail lacquer that it comes in holds the treatment on the nail for longer. Some people may find a once weekly routine a better option in helping them to stick to long term treatment.

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Treatment of Fungal Nail Infections - Curanail 5% Nail Lacquer Amorolfine