Nail infections treatment, diagnosis & prescriptions

Maple is a virtual care platform that connects you with doctors and other healthcare providers via text, audio, or video. After you log in to your Maple account, you can request an online consultation.

Consultations work similarly to in-person appointments — the doctor can complete an assessment by asking questions about your symptoms, going through your health history, and determining what treatment is right for you. If they think your condition is more serious, they may tell you to go to a clinic for an in-person examination.

As a Maple member, you get 24/7 access to virtual primary care online and more. You can connect with our network of providers via text, audio, or video call within minutes.

Our membership costs $79.99/month and covers virtual care for patients and their families, including the primary account holder's spouse and any dependents.

For patients in eligible provinces, our membership includes:

• Access to daily primary care provider visits: One daily visit with a primary care provider for each family member in their household.
• Paediatric care: Covered paediatric primary care visits, available by appointment.
• Second medical opinions: access to a network of experts for a second opinion if diagnosed with a complex condition (e.g. cancer).
• Personal Health Check-Ins: A series of personalized, evidence-based proactive care screenings to maintain and improve health.
• iCBT courses: Access to iCBT (internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy) self-assessment and courses.
• Access to specialists in eligible provinces: Easy access to specialists on Maple within days, not months. No referral is needed.
• Specialist referrals in eligible provinces: Ability to be referred to a physician specialist for in-person care, if needed.
• Credit discounts: An $80 credit per month to be applied to a Maple specialist visit.

Please note that our membership cannot be combined with other offerings, such as private insurance coverage and provincial programs, where available. In some cases, membership fees can be covered by a Healthcare Spending Account (HSA) — check with your HSA provider for more details.

We accept all major credit cards, including AMEX cards, as well as Google and Apple Pay.

At Maple, we proudly prioritize privacy as a cornerstone of our virtual care services. We strictly adhere to privacy and healthcare legislation in Canada, such as PIPEDA and PHIPA regulations, to ensure patients' personal and health information remains completely private and safeguarded.

Our policies and consent processes are designed to be simple and easily understood, empowering individuals with control and a clear understanding of their healthcare journey. When using our services, a patient’s session is protected by a comprehensive security infrastructure and stringent data policies.

Patients also retain full control of their personal health information, medical records and test results at all times. Our approach is reinforced by consultations with leading experts, guaranteeing comprehensive policy frameworks that are reviewed at a regular cadence.

All providers delivering healthcare through Maple are licensed in Canada and governed by their licensing regulatory colleges, and in all instances, must act in accordance with the governing principles set out in the telemedicine policies of each medical regulator in the applicable province.

Regulators across Canada support and recognize the value of services like ours, and the way in which they can benefit patients, physicians, and Canada’s broader healthcare system by improving access to care and increasing efficiencies in the delivery of care.

Yes, you can. Most of the time, a healthcare provider can diagnose nail infections by discussing the symptoms and signs of nail infections, and your medical history. They’ll also want to perform a physical exam.

Less frequently, the healthcare provider may suggest additional testing to check for the exact cause of the nail infection that you’re experiencing. Once they’ve given you a clear diagnosis for your nail infections, the healthcare provider can suggest nail infection treatments that will work effectively for you.

Nail infections are bacterial or fungal infections on, around, or under the fingernails or toenails. When the skin around the nail becomes infected, the infection is called “paronychia”.

Nail fungus is called “onychomycosis”, and occurs more often in toenails than fingernails. This is probably due to the moist environment, and because we don’t wash our feet as much as our hands.

The symptoms and signs of nail infections can vary, depending on the type of infection that you’re experiencing, and its severity.

The most common nail infection symptoms include:

• Crumbling, brittle, or ragged nails
• White to yellow-brown discolouration
• Thickened nails
• Foul smelling nails
• Nails that are distorted in shape
• Darkened nails caused by debris building up under the nail
• Nail may lift up from nail bed
• Yellow-greenish pus-filled abscesses around or under the nail
• Redness or swelling around the nail
• Tenderness or pain

Nail infections are usually caused by either bacterial or fungal infections.

Nail infections can sometimes be caused by biting or picking finger nails, manicures, or having ingrown nails. However, they also commonly result from having frequently wet hands, finger or toe injuries, or regular contact with chemicals that can damage skin or nails.

Certain people have higher risks of experiencing nail infections, including:

• Diabetics
• People whose hands are frequently wet (cleaners, dishwashers, etc.)
• Other skin conditions like dermatitis
• People with weakened or lowered immune systems

In most cases, the doctor will be able to provide a diagnosis for nail infections after evaluating the symptoms and signs of nail infections you’re experiencing. They’ll also have to do a physical exam to determine the type of infection and its severity.

Uncommonly, the healthcare provider may suggest that pus or discharge from the infection be tested in order to narrow down the specific type of infection.

Once you have a nail infection diagnosis, the healthcare provider will be able to suggest appropriate nail infection treatments for your condition. This includes any prescription nail infection medications that you may require.

The type of nail infection treatments that your healthcare provider recommends depends on the severity of your condition. It will also take into consideration whether your condition is acute or chronic, and the cause of the infection.

Things you can do to help your fungal infection:

• Trim your nails straight across
• Do not share nail trimming tools
• Keep your feet clean and dry – change your socks throughout the day if you must wear closed toed-shoes
• Use antifungal powder or spray daily
• Do not go barefoot in public spaces – showers, pools/splash pads, locker rooms

If you believe you’re experiencing a nail infection, you should speak to your healthcare provider. They can help determine the cause of your nail infections, and the most effective nail infection treatments for your condition.

In some cases, especially serious nail infections, you may require prescription nail infection medications to treat your condition. A healthcare provider from Maple can get you the help you need to get your infection under control.

Don’t ignore your pain. Infections can be serious if they’re left untreated. Let Maple help you get back on the path to good health.