Nail Diseases
How We Treat Them
Nail diseases are a broad range of conditions that affect the structure, appearance, and health of the fingernails and toenails. They can be caused by fungal or bacterial infections, skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema, trauma, nutritional deficiencies, or underlying systemic health conditions. Common nail problems include thickening, discolouration, brittleness, separation from the nail bed, pitting, ridging, and abnormal growth patterns. While some nail changes are cosmetic, others are early indicators of a more serious underlying condition that requires prompt medical attention.
At Derma Skin Clinic, our dermatologists conduct a thorough assessment of your nail condition to establish an accurate diagnosis and identify the root cause. We provide targeted medical treatment to restore nail health, relieve any associated discomfort, and guide you on the nail care practices that support long-term recovery and prevention.
Nail Assessment & Diagnosis
Our dermatologist conducts a detailed examination of the affected nails, reviews your medical history, and may take a nail clipping or swab for laboratory analysis to confirm the diagnosis and identify the causative organism or condition.
Targeted Treatment
Based on your diagnosis, we prescribe the most appropriate treatment — which may include oral or topical antifungal medication, antibiotics for bacterial infections, corticosteroid injections for inflammatory nail conditions, or medicated nail solutions.
Progress Monitoring
Nail conditions — particularly fungal infections — take time to fully resolve as nails grow slowly. We schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your nail's response to treatment, adjust medication where needed, and track visible regrowth of healthy nail tissue.
Nail Care & Prevention
We provide personalised guidance on nail hygiene, footwear, and lifestyle practices to protect your nails during recovery and reduce the risk of the condition returning or spreading to other nails.
Key Benefits
Accurate diagnosis of the specific nail condition and its cause
Effective treatment for fungal, bacterial, and inflammatory nail diseases
Restores healthy nail appearance and structure
Identifies and addresses underlying systemic conditions where relevant
Personalised nail care guidance for long-term health and prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
What nail conditions do you treat at Derma Skin Clinic?
What nail conditions do you treat at Derma Skin Clinic?
We treat a wide range of nail conditions including fungal nail infections, bacterial nail infections, ingrown toenails, nail psoriasis, nail eczema, onycholysis — where the nail separates from the nail bed — brittle nail syndrome, nail pitting, abnormal nail growth, and discolouration from various causes. If you are unsure whether your nail concern requires a dermatologist, come in and we will assess it for you.
How long does nail treatment take?
How long does nail treatment take?
This depends on the condition and its severity. Bacterial infections and mild conditions may resolve within a few weeks. Fungal nail infections typically require 3 to 6 months of treatment for fingernails and up to 12 months for toenails, as toenails grow significantly more slowly. Your dermatologist will give you a realistic treatment timeline during your consultation.
Is nail disease treatment painful?
Is nail disease treatment painful?
Most nail treatments are well tolerated. Topical and oral medications involve no discomfort. Corticosteroid injections near the nail may cause brief discomfort but are quick. For ingrown toenails, a local anaesthetic is used before any procedure, ensuring the treatment is as comfortable as possible.
Can nail diseases spread to other nails or people?
Can nail diseases spread to other nails or people?
Fungal nail infections can spread to other nails on your own hands or feet and can be passed to other people through shared footwear, nail tools, towels, or walking barefoot in shared spaces such as swimming pools and gyms. We advise on hygiene precautions to prevent spreading during and after treatment.
