I am 20, male. How do I manage nail infection on my finger?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 20-year-old man. For the past two years, I have been experiencing a problem with the nail of a finger on my right hand. It is probably a fungal infection. The nail appears yellowish and thickened, and feels painful when I press it.

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Based on your history of yellowish discoloration of the nail, progressive thickening over the past two years, and pain on pressure, this condition is most suggestive of onychomycosis, commonly known as a fungal nail infection.

However, other conditions, such as chronic nail trauma or secondary bacterial infection, can sometimes appear similar, so proper evaluation is important before starting treatment.

To assess this accurately, please upload clear, well-lit photographs of the affected nail, including a top view and a side view. If possible, include a picture of the other hand for comparison.

After confirmation of a fungal infection, oral antifungal treatment will likely be required. For fingernail infections, oral Terbinafine is commonly used for about six weeks after checking baseline liver function tests.

In long-standing or thickened nail infections, topical antifungal solutions alone are usually insufficient, though they may be used as supportive therapy. Improvement is gradual because nails grow slowly, and visible healthy nail growth usually starts from the base over the following months.

Along with medical treatment, general nail care is very important.

Keep the affected nail trimmed short and clean.
Avoid aggressive filing or digging under the nail, and protect your hands from repeated trauma.
Try to keep your hands dry and limit prolonged contact with water or detergents.
Avoid nail-biting.
Use separate nail cutters for the affected nails and disinfect them regularly to prevent spread.

With proper diagnosis, treatment, and consistent care, fungal nail infections can improve significantly, though patience is required due to the slow growth of nails.

To provide an exact diagnosis and treatment plan, please share the pictures so that I can give you a personalized plan.

I hope this has helped you.

Please feel free to reach out to me again for further queries.

Thank you.