Medicines against Onychomycosis

Definition

Onychomycosis is a nail disease - usually of the feet - generated by fungi or bacteria: these pathogens can trigger the infection in one part of the nail, in the whole nail or affect the others. Onychomycosis is more common among diabetics and the elderly.

Causes

Fungi - including Candida albicans, Trichophyton and Epidermophyton - they are undoubtedly the main triggering agents of onychomycosis: in any case, also molds and yeasts (eg. Aspergillus) can cause or enhance damage.

Parasites only cause damage under certain conditions; among the predisposing factors for onychomycosis are: weakening of the host's immune defenses, damp places, athlete's foot, psoriasis, lack of foot perspiration, high temperature associated with sweating and peripheral vascular disease.

Symptoms

In case of onychomycosis, the diseased nail undergoes an alteration of its natural color; moreover, it appears more fragile, brittle, deformed and tends to thicken. As onychomycosis progresses, it could generate a bad smell, as well as infect the surrounding skin, and then spread to other areas of the body. In case of severity, it is possible to lose the nail.

Natural Cures

The information on Onychomycosis - Onychomycosis Treatment Drugs is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Onychomycosis - Onychomycosis Treatment Drugs.

Medicines

The drug therapy of choice for onychomycosis is carried out with the application of topical antifungals and / or the intake of systemic antifungals.

Among the TOPICAL ANTIMICOTICS (to be used only in case of onychomycosis limited to one or two nails) we remember:

AZOL DERIVATIVES: ketoconazole (eg. Ketoconazole EG), apply the drug in situ in the form of 2% cream, twice a day for two weeks. Another azole derivative is miconazole (eg Daktarin), particularly suitable for Candida onychomycosis: the application of the cream twice a day on the affected surface involves the resolution of the infection in two to three weeks. The dressing must be repeated until complete eradication of the fungus.
MORPHOLINE DERIVATIVES: amorolfine (eg Locetar): in the form of nail polish, to be applied after careful cleaning of the sick nail once a week until the nail is healed. Amorolfine exerts an excellent fungicidal and fungostatic action.
ALLYLAMINS: this pharmacological class includes naftifine (eg Suadian), a substance indicated in case of onychomycosis caused by dermatophytes; the substance is less active against yeasts. Available in 1% cream to be applied on the nail and surrounding area twice a day.
CICLOPIROX (eg Fungition), nail polish (8% solution): apply the product on the surface of the nail affected by onychomycosis once a day (preferably in the morning or eight hours before washing), using a special applicator. After 8 days, remove the product with alcohol. Repeat this treatment mode so that the nail is healed.
POLYENICS: as we have analyzed for vulvo-vaginal candidiasis and thrush, polyenics are very effective against Candida infections, but ineffective against dermatophytes. Polyenics include nystatin-based creams (eg Assocort, Mycostatin), to be applied to the nail and surrounding skin 2-4 times a day, depending on the severity of the onychomycosis.
TOLNAFTATI: represent a class of drugs capable of selectively acting against skin infections caused by Trichophyton and Epidermophyton. They are not active against Candida albicans onychomycosis. In the form of cream, solution or powder, tolnaftates (eg Tinaderm) should be applied twice a day, on the lamina affected by the infection, until the problem is completely resolved.

Topical drugs against onychomycosis can cause discoloration, local edema, skin exfoliation, nail pain, periungual inflammation, localized dryness, skin rash. The manifestation of side effects and their intensity is different according to the sensitivity of the subject and to the choice of a given drug rather than another.

In case of severe onychomycosis, in addition to topical treatment, the oral intake of some pharmacological substances is recommended, which carry out the action by acting from the inside and more effectively eliminating the responsible pathogen.

Among the DRUGS AGAINST ONYCHOMYCOSIS WITH SYSTEMIC ACTION, once again, azole derivatives stand out: in particular, imidazoles and triazoles are the drugs of choice. Griseofulvin is also a particularly effective active against onychomycosis, but less used because it is ineffective against Candida albicans.

Imidazoles (eg miconazole: Oravig): acts by altering the membrane permeability of fungal cells. Take one tablet (50 mg) orally, once a day for 14 consecutive days.
Triazolics (eg itraconazole: Sporanox): it is particularly effective against onychomycosis at a dosage of 200 mg / day, for three consecutive months.

Not to be used in case of ventricular dysfunction: prolonged use of itraconazole (orally) can cause heart failure.

Griseofulvin (eg Fulcin): micronized Griseofulvin is available in tablets of 500 mg, to be taken once a day (single dose or multiple doses of 125 mg); for the treatment of relapses, it is possible to take up to 1 mg per day of active ingredient.

N.B. prevention is certainly the best cure for onychomycosis: