An effective therapy for the treatment of toenail fungus can only be the correct selection of a composition that affects the pathogen of the disease.Nail fungus (mycosis and onychomycosis) is a destructive change in the appearance and structure of the nail plate that sometimes spreads to the skin of the feet.The cause of this phenomenon is always more than 10 types of dermatophytes, yeast-like fungi (Candida) and molds.To choose one of the fungal treatments available at the pharmacy, you need to know which pathogen is causing the nail damage, and this can only be studied in a laboratory.
Self-treatment, including folk remedies, is a very lengthy process that takes several months, but usually does not lead to a cure, but rather to the temporary elimination of visible symptoms on the nail surface.The fungus itself acts as the causative agent of the pathology and subsequently grows again, affecting the nail plate and the surrounding skin.To reduce treatment time and get long-lasting results, it is wiser to contact a mycologist, who is an expert in treating all types of nail fungus.After laboratory examination of the affected nail particles, the doctor will determine the type of fungus and prescribe antifungal drugs, the pharmacological action of which is designed to combat the existing pathogen.
All offered medications differ in their methods of use and ingredients.Antifungals, ways to combat different types of fungi, are available in easy-to-use and convenient dosage forms.The active ingredients may be present in topical compositions (varnishes, ointments, creams, gels) or oral compositions (tablets, capsules).Liquid types (solutions, sprays) are also widely used in the pharmaceutical market.
Often, mycologists prescribe complex therapies, using external drugs in the treatment plan, the effects of which can be enhanced by taking tablets and capsules.Additionally, depending on the location of the fungal infection, treatment options may include a sterile medical pedicure procedure.For a wide range of nail pathologies, a systematic and comprehensive approach is always required.
All drugs, without exception, are divided into three categories according to their scope of action:
- Azoles
Compounds with fungistatic effect (prevention of bacterial colony growth) destroy pathogens (bactericidal effect) at high concentrations of active substances.Active against most fungi, including Candida.
For example – fluconazole, miconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, clotrimazole.
- Allylamine
Effective on up to 50% of lesions on the nail surface, used to treat symptoms of foot skin, can be used daily, and fights mold, candida, and dermatophytes.
Examples - terbinafine hydrochloride, naftifine,
- Morpholines
They fight all known types of nail fungus, penetrating the nail plate quickly but acting more slowly than other substances; the treatment process can take up to six months.
Examples - Amorolfine, Clonophenol.
All drugs based on the listed compounds are available in topical, oral, and infusion dosage forms.
Antifungal topical preparations
This category includes products that are applied directly to the affected nail itself or to the skin around it - these are ointments, creams, and convenient varnishes used to treat toenail fungus.All medications have their advantages, but also disadvantages, the most common being some discomfort when using formulations with a milky consistency.Products in the form of varnishes cost more than antifungal creams and ointments, but if the pharmacy has different types, the price of antifungal drugs is not the main selection criterion.What matters is the range of action of the drug and the speed with which it removes onychomycosis.
Creams and ointments are slow to dry and absorb, and are not as convenient as varnishes if you spend most of the day in shoes with sweaty feet, which can slow down the healing process.On the contrary, varnish dries quickly on the surface of the nail plate and does not cause discomfort during the day.
cream fungal therapy
It cannot be said with certainty that gels, ointments and creams against various fungi are less effective than varnishes - the effectiveness of the drug depends on the degree of damage and the self-discipline of the patient in treating the disease.However, many cream-like products do not contain excipients that facilitate rapid penetration of the composition deep into the hard cuticle of the nail.
Advantages of antifungal creams, ointments, gels:
- Does not irritate foot skin.
- Eliminate lesions on the nail itself and the surrounding skin.
- Easy-to-use set (with nail file, scraper).
- Broad spectrum of action, active against all types of pathogens.
- All classes are represented - azoles, allylamines and morpholines.
- Drugs are cheap.
Azoles
Imidazole derivatives - clotrimazole, econazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, ketoconazole.
Triazole derivatives:
- Fluconazole;
- Itraconazole.
Allylamine
Product types based on the active substance terbinafine
Naftifine and its derivatives.
Amorpholines
Toenail fungus treatments that use the active ingredient amorolfine can fight a variety of pathogens, including Candida.
Other drugs - sertaconazole, clotrimazole, salicylic acid, sulfuric acid, zinc ointment.
Fungal varnish on nails
They are used in the initial stages of fungal disease, when no more than 2/3 of the entire surface area of the nail is affected.If the fungus has penetrated deep into the nail tissue, the superficial layer will need to be removed before applying medication.After cutting off the affected area, you need to repeat it according to the information specified in the description.
Advantages of anti-mildew varnish:
- Durability – The applied coating lasts for days.
- Comfortable to use - the product does not stain clothes and dries quickly.
- Highly active ingredients - quickly penetrates the affected nail surface through micro-cracks.
- Broad spectrum of action - used to combat different types of pathogens, with fungistatic and fungicidal effects.
- Convenient - the set contains the varnish itself, as well as other tools needed for application: files, sponges.
- Huge selection of different products.
Sprays and solutions for fungal treatment and disinfection
Manufacturers of antifungal products offer a variety of sprays and solutions with properties similar to cream preparations and varnishes.Their use makes sense in the initial stages of pathological development.The antifungal agent in liquid form allows the composition to penetrate into the most difficult-to-reach places, fills the micropores, cracks, folds of the skin and also has antibacterial, antiseptic properties and acts as a medicine with fungistatic properties.Additionally, sprays and solutions can dry out leg skin and nail cuticles, creating an environment hostile to pathogens.
Any product available in liquid form, such as a solution or a spray, which, according to its membership in the group of active substances, fights fungal infections of the nails and prevents diseases, disinfects personal hygiene products, clothes and shoes.Additionally, the liquid form is also convenient for treating foot skin.
Dacinine, fluconazole, terbinafine hydrochloride, bifonazole, clotrimazole.
anti-nail fungus tablets
Systemic mycoses with deep lesions, as well as epidermal mycoses and candidiasis, often require complex treatment with both tablets and topical preparations, when toenail fungus spreads over the entire surface and depth of the cuticle.To treat fungal infections on the nails, in addition to antifungals, antibiotics as well as iodine preparations and ammonium salts are used.
Antifungals – itraconazole, fluconazole, terbinafine.
Antibiotics - griseofulvin, levocycline, natamycin, nystatin-like drugs, any amphotericin-based drug.
Preparations for the treatment of fungi in pregnant and lactating women
The choice of medication to treat fungus at any stage of pregnancy is the prerogative of the attending physician.Independent methods of identifying the type of fungus and treating the lesions may prove to be erroneous, delaying time at least and allowing the colonies to penetrate deeper into the nail and, in some cases, cause adverse reactions.The sooner you detect lesions on the cuticles of your feet and nails and contact a mycologist, the better, better, and safer the treatment and its results will be.
It is better to choose topical drugs, and in cases where the disease has advanced to the systemic stage and the fungus has penetrated deep into the nail structure, it is worth discussing the procedure for its complete removal by surgery.
There is no safe synthetic substance that is guaranteed to destroy the fungus without compromising the success of the pregnancy process and fetus.Even though traditional methods are relatively safe, they may cause allergic reactions to natural ingredients or burns to the skin around the nails (when using vinegar, iodine, etc.)
Undecylenic acid + zinc undecylenate is a combination drug that is prescribed under strict indications and may cause allergic symptoms.
Bifonazole - except in the first trimester, according to strict indications, in the second and third trimester, there is a risk of allergic reactions.