Hair & nail
Nail Disorder Treatment in Salem
Your nails can show signs of infection, skin disease and even your general health. Dermatologists are trained to diagnose and treat nail problems, from fungal infections to painful ingrown toenails.
Nail problems we treat
- Fungal nail infection (onychomycosis): thick, yellow, white or crumbly nails, usually on the toes.
- Paronychia: painful swelling around the nail, common in people whose hands are often wet, such as homemakers and cooks.
- Ingrown toenails: a painful, red, sometimes infected nail edge digging into the skin.
- Nail psoriasis and lichen planus: pitting, ridges, thickening or nail separation.
- Brittle, splitting or peeling nails.
- Discolouration and lines, including dark streaks that need to be examined.
- Warts around the nails.
- Nail changes linked to general health, such as anaemia, thyroid disease or diabetes.
Diagnosis
Many nail conditions look alike. A fungal infection, for example, can look very similar to nail psoriasis. Dr. Kiruthika examines your nails and, when needed, sends a nail clipping or scraping for a fungal test before starting long courses of treatment.
Treatment
- Antifungal medicines (tablets, nail lacquers and creams) for fungal infections.
- Treatment of paronychia with medicines and advice on keeping the hands dry.
- A minor procedure for ingrown toenails under local anaesthesia, to remove the ingrown edge and reduce the chance of recurrence.
- Intralesional injections for nail psoriasis and other inflammatory nail conditions.
- Electrosurgery and other treatments for warts around the nails.
- Nail care advice for brittle nails, including protection from water and harsh chemicals.
Nails take time
Because nails grow slowly, improvement is gradual. Expect to see the new, healthy nail growing out from the base over several months. Regular follow-up visits help make sure treatment is working.
Why choose Skintillate
Nail conditions are easy to misdiagnose. At Skintillate you are examined and treated by Dr. Kiruthika, a dermatologist (MD, DNB) whose training includes medical and surgical management of nail disorders.
Frequently asked questions
Why does nail fungus take so long to treat?
Medicines can only clear the infection as fast as a healthy nail grows out. Fingernails take about 6 months to grow out fully and toenails 12 to 18 months, so it is important to finish the full course even when the nail starts to look better.
Can I get a manicure or pedicure?
It is best to avoid salon manicures and pedicures while you have an active nail infection. Afterwards, choose salons that sterilise their tools, or carry your own.
When should I worry about a dark line on my nail?
Dark lines are often harmless, especially in darker skin. See a dermatologist promptly if a line is new, getting wider or darker, has blurred edges, or if the colour spreads onto the skin around the nail.
Will my ingrown toenail come back?
It can, especially with tight footwear or incorrect nail cutting. Cutting nails straight across, wearing roomy shoes and, when needed, a minor procedure to treat the nail edge reduce the chance of it returning.