​"Shellac, shellac on the wall, where's the worst nails of them all?"

I say this to myself each morning before I start work.

I'm sick and tired of hearing a beautician's take on nail gel damage. It's like asking a circus owners opinion on dancing bears. 

Shellac was everywhere a few years back. But of late, I've noticed a drop off in the miracle nail polish.

Is it a mini-rebellion against the damage that gel inflicts on your nails?

​Now, I'm a Podiatrist, so this post is tailored to chalk-colored toenails. 

​But it also applies to the more common coated fingernails. 

Your nail tissue is the same. The process is the same. The white spots and fungal nail infections are the same. ​

There's only one healthy reason for white chalky toenails. You bake bread with your feet and flour dusts your toes.

(Unless you're gluten-intolerant and I'm not going down that rabbit hole) 

​Anyway, before you sprint off for the calcium tablets, take a breather...

Fungal nail infections are common. Unlike an ingrown toenail, they're harmless, but they can drastically alter the way toenails look.  

It's caused by micro fungi particles that invade deep nail layers. If your nail is split or cracked, then it's party time for the particles. ​
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In its early stages, it's easy to treat. 

​But if it establishes itself, a fungal nail infection is stubborn and resilient to remove.  

Yellow and brown. I'm referring to fungal nails, that most hated of infections.

Compared to the humble foot corn, a fungal toenail infection is a royal PITA to cure. 

(It's on par with plantar warts) 

So, does Kerasal Fungal Nail Renewal work? Well, technically, no because nothing in Kerasal kills nail fungus. ​

But, I still think it's effective, and here's why.

Prison documentaries show us that humans are ingenious. 

​(Necessity is the mother of invention, after all.) 

But dental floss for ingrown toenails? How would thin waxed string pluck out a shark's tooth of a nail?

What about tooth floss for fungal nails?

What magical properties have Oral B bestowed on menthol-tinged string that I didn't know about?

Is it with or without the little violin handle? Are you meant to use the cool or fresh mint floss?
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So many questions — I just had to try it. 

Now, call me an old stick in the mud, but I've never worn shellac gel.

But as a Podiatrist, I do know about foot pain and corns.

I see plenty of white chalky spots on toenails after removing polish.

(This is almost always after I've drilled away day-glo shellac)

I also witness the ensuing toenail fungus.

So, what are these white dots and spots? Are they serious? (No) 

​Are they a sign of something far more stubborn coming down the pipeline? (Possibly, yes)

Athlete's foot has accomplished an impressive feat.

​It's radiated from a rare condition to one lurking in almost every slipper. The fungus now infects 1 in 5 of the world's population. 

Anyone can get the itchy rash, from swimmers to care home residents. 

At the start, the symptoms are mild. ​

Most won't know about the fungal takeover — one of its secrets of success.

And if it reaches your nails, well then you do have a problem. ​