Why summer is the perfect time to get fungal nail infections treated

By Dr Fatima Ahmed

Fungal nail infections are very common in the UK; our cool, wet climate means we encase our feet in socks and shoes for most of the year, creating the ideal grounds for the fungus to grow and spread.  This makes summer – the season of sun and open toes – the ideal time to treat any fungal nail infections

Fungi thrive in dark, warm, moist places; this is why you are far more likely to get a fungal nail infection in your toenails than your fingernails.  Unfortunately, the UK weather means we’re particularly prone to the condition in this country; most of the year we need to keep our feet warm in cosy socks and waterproof shoes.

Symptoms of fungal nail infections

Typical signs that you may have a fungal nail infection are if your nail becomes thick, discoloured (yellow or with white streaks), if they develop flaky white patches or if they become brittle and start crumbling.  The infection often starts on the outside of the nail and then spreads to the middle.  Adults are more at risk of nail infections than children, and the condition is more common in men than women.  It’s also very common in sports people who are likely to wear trainers a lot of the time and sweat when they exercise.

Reasons for treating fungal nail infections early

The fungus that causes nail infections is very contagious, so it’s easy for other members of your family to pick up the infection.  It also spreads easily, causing other conditions elsewhere on the body, such as ringworm.  The risk of the infection spreading and of passing it to other people means it’s important to treat infected nails as soon as possible.

Summer success

The short British summer, when we finally let our feet breathe in sandals and flipflops, is the perfect time to start tackling infected nails.

By giving your feet fresh air and light, you remove the conditions that the fungus loves so much, which facilitates the treatments we use in the clinic; these include topical creams, nail lacquers, laser treatments and oral medication.  As toenails grow so slowly, it can take a long time to see the results of these treatments (sometimes up to nine months), so although we may start treating your infected toenails in the summer, we will need follow-up appointments into the autumn and beyond.

Treating fungal nail infections successfully takes time and expertise – but starting your treatment in the summer will get it off to a flying start, so we can restore your nails to their former glory as quickly as possible

Book a no-obligation consultation to discuss fungal nail treatment and other dermatology procedures with Dr Fatima Ahmed

Call 01892 22 22 22

Meet the expert

Dr Fatima Ahmed is a speciality doctor in dermatology and aesthetics, with special interests in acne, mole and skin lesion diagnosis.  With medical qualifications from Pakistan, Canada, the UK and USA, she achieved academic distinction at Cardiff University and received the Chancellor International Scholarship award at the University of Hertfordshire.  She has worked in South Asia, the Middle East and the UK

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