Condition

It’s estimated that fungal nail infections occur in more than 15% of the population.¹The medical name for these infections is tinea unguium or onychomycosis.

Fungal nail infections are more common in people over 60 years of age, and they affect the toenails much more often than the fingernails. This is probably because wearing shoes helps create the damp conditions that fungus needs to thrive.^1,2

Images of Nail Infections

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References
1. Rodgers P, Bassler M. Treating Onychomycosis. Am Fam Physician. 2001; 63(4):663–72.
2. The Mayo Clinic. Nail fungus [Internet].2015 [updated 2015 Jul 21; cited 2017 Mar 8]. Available from: www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nail-fungus/basics/definition/con-20019319

Symptoms

Please consult a health professional for advice on the diagnosis and management of fungal nail infections.

The main symptom is discolouration of all or part of the nail or nails. Usually the discolouration is yellow or brown, but small white patches can also appear. Sometimes the nail will thicken and/or lift, and in more severe cases it can even break up, but this is quite rare.¹

See the chart below for a full list of possible symptoms.

Symptoms of Nail Infections

Discolouration of one or more nail

Scaling under the nail

Thickening and/or lifting of the nail

Redness and inflammation around the nail

Crumbling of the nail

Reference
1. Rodgers P, Bassler M. Treating Onychomycosis. Am Fam Physician. 2001; 63(4):663–72.

Tips to treat and help prevent fungal nail infections

While most fungal nail infections are not painful, they can make it uncomfortable to wear shoes. If the infection is bad enough to lift or break up the nail, the area can certainly be very sensitive as well.

The good news is that it is possible to effectively treat fungal nail infections and reduce the risk of them reoccurring. The first step is to keep your feet as healthy as possible – follow the tips below.² You can also use treatments like Resolve Solution once your health professional has confirmed that your symptoms are a result of a fungal nail infection.

Tips to treat and help prevent fungal nail infections

Wash your feet well every day

Dry your feet thoroughly after washing them – using a hairdryer can help, especially between the toes

Avoid sharing towels with others

Give your feet adequate time to dry before putting on footwear

Wear breathable shoes or sandals where possible

Avoid thick, tight footwear that squeezes your toes together

Wear a clean pair of socks every day, or even twice daily if your feet sweat a lot

Wear thongs or sandals in communal areas, such as showers, change rooms and around public swimming pools

If possible, allow damp shoes to air dry for at least 24 hours before putting them back on – alternating between pairs of shoes each day is a good idea

Wash with a soap-free cleanser, like QV Gentle Wash as soap may further irritate your skin

Treatment

Resolve Solution

Containing an effective antifungal agent (miconazole 2%), Resolve Solution is specially designed to treat fungal nail infections. It fights the infection and helps relieve the associated itch and irritation.

Resolve Solution penetrates the areas around and under toenails or fingernails, which are where the fungal infection usually takes hold.

The bottle has an easy-to-use dropper and the solution dries quickly, making it very convenient.

How to use Resolve Solution

Trim your nails as short as possible and gently clean and dry the affected area before applying Resolve Solution.
Apply the solution 2 or 3 times a day by squeezing a few drops to form a thin layer over the affected area.
Keep using it every day for 2 weeks after the symptoms have disappeared to minimise the risk of recurrence.
If you have a nail that has lifted or disintegrated, continue using Resolve Solution until a new nail has grown.

_{Always read the label and use only as directed. If symptoms persist, consult your healthcare professional.}