Onychomycosis treatment

The success of onychomycosis treatment depends on the severity of the infection in the nail. Unfortunately, the likelihood of recurrence is significant if/when only one approach is used. Combining two or more methods produces better results.

Common types of Onychomycosis Treatment

• Mechanical debridement (removal of foreign matter and dead tissue) reduces pressure, promotes healing and may prevent infection.

Removal of the infected material combines well with other approaches, especially those involving anti-fungal medication.

This method does not get rid of infectious microorganisms and must be repeated as the nail grows, until the infection is gone.

• Nail avulsion (removal of all or part of the nail plate without disrupting underlying tissue) is done either surgically or chemically.

This lets a new nail grow in place of the old, however traumatization of the nail bed is possible, resulting in an misshapen or "ugly" new nail. An uncomfortable approach, it's often discouraged.

• Oral anti-fungal medications are often the main onychomycosis treatment. These drugs reach the infection through circulation.

Some newer drugs can remain in the nails up to 6 months after treatment has ended - important because onychomycosis can be chronic and recur easily.

The new oral drugs are expensive, may affect liver function or cause other physical problems and don't always "play well" with other medications. Therefore, it's important to discuss their use with your physician.

• Topical antifungal medications involve directly applying an antifungal drug to the infected nail.

This topical approach is generally considered safe, with only mild and localized reactions in most cases.

Topical antifungals are not as expensive as oral antifungals and have few adverse effects.

Important to know

• Oral antifungal drugs are generally taken for 3 months; topical antifungals often for 12 months. Times vary depending upon the type and extent and severity of the infection.

• Effectiveness of treatment may not be visible for weeks or months, so it may be difficult to determine whether a particular approach is working

• Considering the chronic nature of fungal nail infections, combining more than one treatment is often the best approach.

• It is vital that athletes foot (tine penis) be treated at the onset of onychomycosis and continuously thereafter because the affected skin is the likely source of the pathogens infecting the nail.

• Patient awareness and education are essential in getting rid of nail infections. Preventive steps help control the serious and recurring nature of the disease after the initial episode is resolved.

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Athletes foot

Impetigo

Onychomycosis

Ringworm

Skin disorders

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