fingernail fungus

I am so discouraged.  My fingernails have a fungus that is so embarrassing. (Toenails are fine).  A few years back, my fingers would crack and get inflamed (worse summer months.  I did tend to bite the skin around them when like this, but never biting the nails.  Then, last year on my 50th birthday, I knew that fungus was a true problem.  I took Lamisil, for months with no improvement.  Went to several doctors and homeopaths.  Nothing worked.  I was put on Sporanox in March.  I saw improvement in the beds of my nails. As the heat of summer approached again, it got worse.  Even though I'm on Sporanox still, it is worse than ever.  On my thumbnail, I hardly have any nail at all.  I go to a manicurist, because I cannot go out in public like this.  It would turn people away.  I stopped using the pink and white process, thinking I might be allergic to that.  Now, I've just been getting nails buffed and painted (3 coats to cover mottled colors).  
I am at my wit's end. I take much pride in my hygiene, grooming appearance. Don't know if this could be a breakdown in my immune system, (healthy and fit otherwise), or a dietary thing or some other cause.  It's not my nail shop.  None of my friends who go there have this problem.  Please help!

Thank you,  Nancy

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

The reason you're not getting better with oral anti-fungal medications like Lamisil is that you don;t have a fungus.  You have traumatic paronychia--inflammation around the nail from biting, picking, etc.  You will get better if you leave the nails alone.  Get the help you need--behavior modification, artificial nails to keep from being self-conscious while the nails grow in, which takes months--whatever it takes.  Medication does not help this at all, so please stop the Sporanxo, and consult a skin doctor, who knows what fungal nails are, and aren't.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

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