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Doctors and patients used to think that once you had a nail with an infection caused by a fungus you would have it forever. And this used to be true. But for the past 20 years there have been treatments for fungal nail infections. And now you can get rid of these infections.

But treatment takes time. And if your nail has come off, it won't grow back until after the infection has gone away.¹ For some people, it can take as long as a year for their nail to grow back.

Fungal nail infections are not a big problem for most people.

• If your nail infection doesn't bother you, you may decide not to have it treated. If you don't have treatment, the nail infection usually won't affect your health.
• But if you don't treat an infection, it may make your nail hurt.
• And if it's on your toe, this can make walking difficult and painful.²
• If you have a bad nail infection on your finger, you may not be able to use your finger as well as you usually do. For example, it may be hard to pick up something small.^{1 3}
• If the infection makes your nail look bad, you may feel embarrassed about it. Sometimes people with nail infections are too embarrassed to do things they enjoy, such as going swimming.^{2 3 4}

If you have diabetes and you think you have a fungal nail infection, you should definitely see your doctor as soon as you can. Diabetes can damage the nerves and blood vessels in your feet. So if you have a fungal nail infection, it may take a long time to heal.

If your immune system is weak, a fungal nail infection may get more serious. If you have HIV or AIDS or if you are on chemotherapy, you may be more likely to get infections. So it's important to see your doctor as soon as possible if you think you have a nail infection.

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved.