Thursday May 3,2012

By Dr Aamer Khan and Lesley Reynolds

Tend your toenails

Cutting the nails correctly will help to prevent ingrowing toenails. Trim the nail straight across, following the natural shape of the nail and avoid cutting too close to the skin and yanking at hangnails.

Toenail fungus (onychomycosis) is another very common problem. Most types of infection, which thrive in warm, moist conditions, are harmless and can be caused by trauma to the nail, inflammation from an ingrowing toenail or untreated athlete’s foot. Good hygiene habits are crucial so wash your feet daily and always dry them thoroughly.

Try Pharmaceuticals Advanced Footcare Fungal Nail Treatment Pen, £18.49 (Boots). After one week of application the nail’s appearance should begin to improve. If the fungus is persistent make an appointment with a podiatrist.

The PinPointe FootLaser (thelondonnaillaserclinic.co.uk) is a new one-off painless treatment for treating nail fungus. Prices start at £350, depending on how many nails are affected.

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