Question Title: Fungal Infection under finger nail?

Thanks for any help,
Ron Pagano

Ron:

If there's just one nail involved and you Mom's having pain, it sounds more like either trauma (the nail got banged) or inflammation rather than a fungus infection. Either of these would fit with her not responding to antibiotics.

My suggestion: see a dermatologist in your area. (Try the website of the American Academy of Dermatology (www.aad.org-- they have a "Find a Dermatologist" feature.)

In all likelihood, a simple treatment will ease your Mom's discomfort. And she almsot certainly will not lose the nail.

Meanwhile, soaking the nail in warm water and applying bacitracin ointment (over-the-counter) should be helpful.

Good luck.

Dr R.

Keywords: nail, fungus, trauma