A graphic video in which a podiatrist rips a patient's overgrown, fungal nail off his toe is a stomach-churning warning that any sign of the condition should be acted on immediately.

The man, who features in the video (or rather, the man whose toes feature in the video) was suffering from Onychogryphosis, also known as ram’s horn nail. Onychogryphosis is a disease which causes the affected nails to grow thick and curvy so that it resembles a horn or a claw.

As is clear from the video, the patient was in dire need of Dr Todd Brennan's help. The nail on his big toe had grown so large that ordinary creams and medicines used to treat the disease were ineffective. There was only one thing for it - the fungal nail had to be hacked off.

Ram’s horn nails can develop at a range of different ages depending on what the underlying cause is. Cases are generally more severe in adults.

Dr Anton Alexandroff, consultant dermatologist and British Skin Foundation spokesperson, said:

"In two weeks it will be nice and smooth. Ram’s horn nails are rare and only happen when a person neglects their nail care, forgetting to trim nails on a regular basis. When toenails are significantly longer and cannot easily be trimmed it’s best to seek help from a medical professional. This particular patient may also have a co-existing fungal infection which is likely to require additional topical or oral treatment."

If you think you might have the condition, it is best to seek treatment as soon as possible. Unfortunately, without treatment, the condition will most likely worsen over time and can go on to cause ingrown nails, infection and an impaired ability to engage in physical activities.

A graphic video in which a podiatrist rips a patient's overgrown, fungal nail off his toe is a stomach-churning warning that any sign of the condition should be acted on immediately.

The man, who features in the video (or rather, the man whose toes feature in the video) was suffering from Onychogryphosis, also known as ram’s horn nail. Onychogryphosis is a disease which causes the affected nails to grow thick and curvy so that it resembles a horn or a claw.

As is clear from the video, the patient was in dire need of Dr Todd Brennan's help. The nail on his big toe had grown so large that ordinary creams and medicines used to treat the disease were ineffective. There was only one thing for it - the fungal nail had to be hacked off.

Ram’s horn nails can develop at a range of different ages depending on what the underlying cause is. Cases are generally more severe in adults.

Dr Anton Alexandroff, consultant dermatologist and British Skin Foundation spokesperson, said:

"In two weeks it will be nice and smooth. Ram’s horn nails are rare and only happen when a person neglects their nail care, forgetting to trim nails on a regular basis. When toenails are significantly longer and cannot easily be trimmed it’s best to seek help from a medical professional. This particular patient may also have a co-existing fungal infection which is likely to require additional topical or oral treatment."

If you think you might have the condition, it is best to seek treatment as soon as possible. Unfortunately, without treatment, the condition will most likely worsen over time and can go on to cause ingrown nails, infection and an impaired ability to engage in physical activities.