How to remove a fungal nail at home safely
Cutting or drilling an infected nail at home risks damaging the nail bed. Chemical softening is the safer route.
Canespro Fungal Nail Treatment Set
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What not to do
Do not attempt to pull, cut back aggressively or file down a thickened nail with power tools. Damage to the nail bed can scar the new nail permanently.
The safe method
Soften the diseased nail chemically with 40% urea under occlusion, then scrape away only the material that has already softened.
When to see a professional
See a podiatrist or GP if you are diabetic, if the toe is painful or swollen, or if more than three nails are affected.
Frequently asked
Can a podiatrist remove it faster?
They can debride the nail mechanically in one appointment, but home treatment avoids the cost and reaches the same end point.
Does the nail grow back?
Yes, in almost all cases, provided the nail matrix at the base has not been damaged.