Thick Second Toenail

by Parv
(Canada)

Hi there,

I had a fungal infection on three toe nails (after a bad pedicure). Two of the three were completely cured with Penlac (in 2010). The other pesky one (my second toe) still looks awful (discoloured, thick, crumbly, and often painful when it grows in). I had it lasered in 2013 - the post-laser test came back clear although it never grew back any different. And recently (early 2015) I had another test done (from a local podiatrist) and it came back negative.

The podiatrist claims there's no fungus and that the nail bed is just permanently damaged. He drilled it down. When he drilled it, it started to bleed right in the middle of this thickened nail (through the nail and not the skin - it was bizarre because it hurt as if he was cutting into my skin but when I looked at it the blood was coming through the nail). And the sides crumbled off. So now I have half the nail I thought I had. I don't know if I should keep treating it as a fungus or what to do. The podiatrist was convinced there's no fungus but he told me I could still try a treatment called Jubilia if I want to. I don't know what to do. I like to wear open shoes in the summer and paint my nails but it's so unsightly and embarrassing the way the nail looks. I am afraid to have it surgically removed in case it does not grow back again. I'd rather have a thick nail that I can cover with nail polish than no nail at all.

Lately (for the last 2 weeks) I have been religiously applying tea tree oil. I will continue to do that, but I'd really like to hear your thoughts on this. What do you think I should do? I just came across your web site and you seem to be much more knowledgeable than any doctor or podiatrist I've gone to! Thank you very much for sharing this information. I wish I could show you this nail in person to have your opinion on it, but I'm in Canada.

Sincerely,
Parv