Manky toenails - GP, chiropodist or podiatrist?

Alun

I've got some toenails that are exhibiting what I think are signs of a fungal infection. It's probably nothing serious, but who would be the best person to see about this .. my GP, a chiropodist or (a new term to me found while Googling) a podiatrist? I suppose my question is that if I went to anyone other than my GP, would they be able to prescribe any necessary anti-fungal drugs, or would they just refer me back to my GP for that?

ZYX

GP (but then as a GP I would say that). Podiatrist deals with feet rather than nails as such.

Michellenman

Chiropodists deal with nails.
If you go to your GP they could give you antibiotics for it although it could be something worse (ingrown nail, for example) in which case you need a chiropodist.

As far as I know they're petitioning to have everyone (podiatrists and chiropodists) to be known under the same name. Although a chiropodist told me this about 2 years ago so I'm not sure if it went ahead.

DrIndy

start with your GP first to exclude a fungal infection.

RobFowl

Michellenman wrote: »

Chiropodists deal with nails.
If you go to your GP they could give you antibiotics for it although it could be something worse (ingrown nail, for example) in which case you need a chiropodist.

As far as I know they're petitioning to have everyone (podiatrists and chiropodists) to be known under the same name. Although a chiropodist told me this about 2 years ago so I'm not sure if it went ahead.

Am a GP and find the content of this post a bit inaccurate!
GP's are in a position to deal with fungal infections and often ingrown toenails as well. . Infected ingrowing toenails may need antibiotics as they often get infected. They may also need partial removal which can be done by some GP's.
As far as I am aware the tendency is to ove away from using the term chiropodist and use the term podiatrist (there is quite a large overlap in wahta they do now)

Michellenman

I didn't mean to insult you, I was just going by my own experience. I dealt with the problem for years myself. Having dealt with infection of ingrown toenails I was told to go to a chiropodist as my GP couldn't deal with the problem, I wasn't aware GP's could carry out the procedure as well, learn something new everyday. Apologies for any offense caused.

RobFowl

Michellenman wrote: »

I didn't mean to insult you, I was just going by my own experience. I dealt with the problem for years myself. Having dealt with infection of ingrown toenails I was told to go to a chiropodist as my GP couldn't deal with the problem, I wasn't aware GP's could carry out the procedure as well, learn something new everyday. Apologies for any offense caused.

No problem am always a bit grumpy in the mornings !!!
(over reaction TBH will edit)

Alun

They're definitely not ingrown at all, just one or two of them are getting a bit flakey and crumbly, which as far as I can tell is probably a fungal infection. Thanks for the advice.