Onychomycosis – Nail Disease

Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nails. It is the most common disease of the nails and constitutes about half of all nail abnormalities.

The most common symptom of a fungal nail infection is the nail becoming thickened and discoloured. There is usually no pain or other bodily symptoms unless the disease is severe. People with onychomycosis may experience significant psychosocial problems due to the appearance of the nail, particularly when fingers – which are always visible , rather than toenails are affected.

MedicalCare

Systemic treatment is always required in proximal subungual onychomycosis and in distal lateral subungual onychomycosis involving the lunula region. A combination of systemic and topical treatment increases the cure rate. Because the rate of recurrence remains high, even with newer agents, the decision to treat should be made with a clear understanding of the cost and risks involved, as well as the risk of recurrence.

Topical antifungals

The use of topical agents should be limited to cases involving less than half of the distal nail plate or for patients unable to tolerate systemic treatment. Agents available in the United States include ciclopirox olamine 8% and efinaconazole 10% nail solutions.

Oral therapy

The newer generation of oral antifungal agents has replaced older therapies in the treatment of onychomycosis. They offer shorter treatment regimens, higher cure rates, and fewer adverse effects.