Fungal Nail Infection

[Nurse_Ratched]

For the last 6 years I've had a fungal nail infection on my left great toenail. Picked it up an a nail salon, got my pedicure done there, approximately 1-2 weeks later noticed the polish chipping and peeling and when I touched it, the entire polished nail lifted off, and it has been gone since.

Very crumbly surface, some normal growth noted at the cuticle. See pictures below (sorry, can't seem to embed images into the post):

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/q87/p600x600/10413304_10104271172867219_6211490047587777604_n.jpg?oh=0f6c87f8c60b632b1c16649ef00391a4&oe=548BBF62&__gda__=1422366305_3486cc0b33c2f6b37a86441a8491c139

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10568914_10104271172862229_9046718732752060525_n.jpg?oh=c7bcd8378893bff6567960c16357d2d8&oe=54C16909&__gda__=1418215798_389ec08ae14cf359f8f2a9868b617fa3

https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/p600x600/10629838_10104271172857239_6065541716295969857_n.jpg?oh=69b9a60e7816f75f4456db83dd85042f&oe=54C602E2

I've had some luck with using Vicks Vapor Rub to soften the crumbled nail. It's neither painful nor itchy. I've tried just about everything else out there with no success. Laser nail treatments (x3), podiatry visits (with dremel tool grinding and an antifungal topical oil application), urea cream, every OTC antifungal out there (creams, gels, you name it!). I cannot get rid of it, I can hardly get the healthy nail to grow in. It usually stops growing about 1/3 to 1/2 of the way through the nailbed and begins to crumble away. Occasionally I get very annoyed and I pick away the crumbling nail with a metal nail file or an orange stick. Soft nailbed underneath, pink, tender to touch. Try applying topical antifungals while the nail grows in, but again & again it crumbles away.

I am not a diabetic, I'm 27 years old and thankfully have no medical problems, no circulation issues, varicose veins or any of that. I eat healthy, try to stay hydrated (not always possible as much as I would like), and am physically active.

I should probably add that I am a nurse, work nights in the ED, usually wear Danskos or sneakers. Change my socks daily (sometimes more often). Danskos are my favorite because I can sit to chart & kick my shoes off under the desk discreetly and wiggle my feet around. At home I'm usually barefoot or clean cotton socks. The podiatrist once suggested to try & maximize exposure to UV light, obviously this is weather-dependent.