Sport Today

It seems a lot of windsurfers get a fungus under their toe nails...at least the ones I've spoken with say it's very common.    My question:   how to treat it.

Sam Turner
Tampa, FL

I had a toenail fungal infection for a while too before I decided to
finally get rid of it.  I didn't realize it was related to the
windsurfing, but now that you mention it, I have seen several
windsurfers with it; often they don't realize what it is that's
causing their nails to look strange.  You need to go to a
dermatologist.  The old standard drug is griseofulvin which I took in
pill form three times daily for 18 months.  It took a long while but
it worked well.  Known drug side effect is liver toxicity but I had no
trouble;  all the tests stayed normal.  There is a new drug recently
out that you only take about 3 months that is supposed to be very
effective.  The only drawback is that it is very expensive.  I can't
remember the name.  You'll need to ask the dermatologist.  These are
all prescription *** by the way.  Unfortunately, you can't treat
this with a topical over the counter cream like you can Athlete's
foot.  (Since you live in Tampa, I can give you the name of the great
dermatologist I went to:  Hal Wiley, MD, on Howard Ave. close to
Bayshore.)

I hope we get some wind around here soon!