A Sussex inventor has developed a new treatment to banish fungal nail infections – and the first patients are now being treated.
Clearanail was invented by Dr Rolf Thomas in the Sussex Innovation Centre at Sussex University.
The new device drills dozens of pinprick holes into the infected nails, allowing treatments to directly access the whole nail bed. The problem with current treatments is that active ingredients struggle to penetrate the thickened nail. For the patient, this means months or years of unsightly and often uncomfortable nails.
Fungal nail infections affect more than a million people in the UK, men are more likely to suffer than women, and toenails are four times more likely to be affected than finger nails.
Preliminary tests suggest an improvement in two to three weeks, according to Dr Ivan Bristow who is leading the ongoing research.
He says: “Clearanail is a great British innovation. The tiny holes are made with a very fine intelligent drill that can sense when it is through the nail plate and doesn’t cause damage to the nail bed beneath.
“Taking seconds to produce, these precise holes allow the topical treatments, when applied regularly, to reach the problem quickly and more effectively. We are seeing changes in a matter of two or three weeks.”
Dr Rolf Thomas says: “Clearanail will be the ‘silver bullet’ for fungal nail treatment globally.”
The complete treatment costs patients an average of £150, making it much cheaper than laser treatments. For more information on Clearanail talk to your GP or local podiatrist.
Case study: Retired teacher and school inspector Christine Hall from Hampshire is one of the first patients in the UK to try Clearanail. She suffered from a toenail fungal infection for more than 30 years.
She said: “I’ve spent hundreds of pounds over the years and tried numerous paint-on treatments but nothing worked.
“Since being treated with Clearanail, I’ve got a healthy pink nail growing back and even the thick ridges have diminished and left me with a smooth nail. I’m so delighted with the results. The nail has finally responded to a treatment and is almost back to normal and still improving. I’m looking forward to having a pedicure, wearing sandals this summer and showing off my feet after years of being ashamed of them.”