Retail therapies
washing your hands excessively, so it’s something that has been much more of a problem recently.
It can also occur in those that wear gel or acrylic nails, as removing these can damage the nail surface. So the first thing you need to do is establish whether or not you actually have a fungal infection in your nails.
This is done by sending clippings from the affected nails to your local hospital laboratory.
You should be able to arrange this with your GP via phone consultation. Fungal nail infections can be treated with paint containing the antifungal amorolfine, but this needs to be applied twice a week, and can’t be used over standard nail varnish.
The alternative is to take tablets containing the antifungal terbinafine, which are only available on prescription.Treatment needs to be continued until the affected part of the nail has completely grown out.
Fingernails usually grow at a rate of about 3.5mm a month so it can take nine months or even longer for a thumb nail to grow out.
Toenails grow much more slowly and can take up 18 months for a big toenail to completely regrow, so you would be looking at a long course of drugs.
Terbinafine can affect liver function, though this is rare, but to be safe you should have a blood test done once every three months, which your doctor should arrange.
If you have a health question for Dr Leonard, email her in confidence at yourhealth@express.co.uk. Dr Leonard regrets she cannot enter into personal correspondence or reply to everyone.
WITH a gentle spicy hit, Mash Direct Cauliflower Bites (£2; Nisa) are a great option for anyone looking for new ways to get more veggies into the family. In a light, crispy coating, they take under 20 minutes to oven cook, are low in saturated fat, gluten-free and contain no artificial flavourings and colourings.
BECAUSE so many fundraisers are cancelled at the moment, health charities are struggling, so GHD’s Take Control Now collection is very timely. The branding on styling irons and dryer will remind women to check their breasts for changes and £10 from every sale goes to Breast Cancer Now (from £149; ghdhair.com).
TESCO has become the first UK supermarket to bridge the gap between toddlers and adults with their Junior Plus Nappies (£4.50; tesco.com). Designed for children with disabilities, they are roomy enough for those over 25kg (and fit a waist of 50-90cm), are super-absorbent, anti-leak and have been dermatologically tested.