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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Fungal Infection under finger nail?
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Fungal Infection under finger nail?
by Ron-Pagano, Jul 19, 1999 12:00AM
Posted by Ron Pagano on July 19, 1999 at 12:16:47
My mom has a painful infection under a finger nail that she can't seem to cure and the doctor can't seem to diagnose. She has taken 10 days of a strong antibiotic and is now into a 10 day prescription with a strong anti-fungal medicine.
Does anyone know what type of doctor (specialist?) would deal with such a problem? More specifically, does anyone know of a doctor/hospital in the Hudson Valley area of NY that would be good to go to?
Thanks for any help,
Ron Pagano
Posted by DERM M.D. ASR on July 19, 1999 at 19:52:48
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
