An effective remedy for nail fungus can only be with the right choice of composition that affects the causative agent of this disease.Nail fungus (mycosis and onychomycosis) is a change that damages the appearance and structure of the nail plate, sometimes spreading to the skin of the feet.The cause of this phenomenon is always more than 10 types of dermatophytes, such as yeast (candida) and molds.To choose one of the antifungal drugs available in the pharmacy, you need to know which pathogen is causing the nail damage, and this can only be studied in the laboratory.
Self-treatment, including folk remedies, is a very long process, takes several months, but most often does not lead to a cure, but to the temporary elimination of visible symptoms from the nail surface.The fungus itself, the causative agent of the pathology, then grows back, which affects the nail plate and the skin around it.To reduce treatment time and get lasting results, it is wiser to contact a mycologist, a specialist in the treatment of all types of nail fungus.After a laboratory examination of the affected nail particles, the doctor will determine the type of fungus and prescribe an antimycotic drug, a pharmacological action aimed at combating the existing pathogen.
All the drugs offered differ in their method of use and composition.Means to combat various types of fungi - antimycotics - are available in accessible and convenient dosage forms.Active ingredients can be presented in compositions for external use (varnish, ointment, cream, gel), or oral (tablets, capsules).Liquid types - solutions, sprays - are also widely available on the pharmaceutical market.
Often, mycologists prescribe complex therapy, using external drugs in the treatment program, the effect of which is enhanced by taking tablets and capsules.Also, the treatment program, depending on the area of fungal infection, may include a sterile medical pedicure procedure.A systematic and comprehensive approach is always indicated for extensive nail lesions.
Without exception, all drugs are divided into three categories, according to their spectrum of action:
- Azoles
Compounds that have a fungicidal effect (stop the growth of colonies) destroy pathogens at high concentrations of active substances (fungicidal effect).Active against most fungi, including Candida.
Examples - Fluconazole, miconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, clotrimazole.
- Allylamine
Effective for wounds up to 50% of the nail surface, for the treatment of manifestations on the skin of the feet, can be used daily, acts against mold fungi, candida, dermatophytes.
Examples - Terbinafine Hydrochloride, Naftifine,
- Morpholines
They overcome all known types of nail fungus, quickly penetrate the nail plate, but work more slowly than other substances;The course of treatment can take up to six months.
Examples - Amorolfine, Chlornitrophenol.
All drugs based on the compounds listed are available in dosage form for local, oral and infusion use.
Anti-fungal preparations for external use
This category includes products that are applied directly to the affected nail itself or the skin around it - these are simple ointments, creams, and varnishes to treat toenail fungus.All drugs have their advantages, but also disadvantages, which most often manifest in some discomfort from using formulations with a creamy consistency.The cost of the product in the form of varnish is higher than that of creams and ointments against fungi, but if there is a wide variety in the pharmacy, the price of the antifungal is not the main selection criterion.What is important is the spectrum of action of the drug and the speed of getting rid of nail fungus.
Slow drying and absorption of creams and ointments is not as easy as varnish, provided most of the time is spent every day in shoes, and feet sweat, which can slow down the healing process.On the other hand, the varnish dries on the surface of the nail plate quickly, without causing discomfort during the day.
Creamy antifungal medicine
It cannot be said with certainty that gels, ointments and creams against various types of fungus do not work as effectively as varnish - how effective the drugs will depend on the level of damage and the patient's discipline in treating the disease.However, many creamy products do not contain excipients that facilitate rapid penetration of the composition deep into the hard horny plate of the nail.
Advantages of creams, ointments, gels against fungus:
- Does not irritate the skin of the feet.
- Destroys pathology on the nail itself and on the skin around it.
- The set is easy to use (with nail file, scraper).
- Broad spectrum of action, active against all types of pathogens.
- All categories are represented - Azoles, Allylamines and Morpholines.
- Low drug prices.
Azoles
Imidazole derivatives - Clotrimazole, Econazole, Ketoconazole, Miconazole, Ketoconazole.
Triazole Derivatives:
- Fluconazoles;
- iTraconazoles.
Allylamine
Types of products based on the active ingredient terbinafine
Naftifine and its derivatives.
Amorpholines
Remedy for toenail fungus with the active ingredient Amorolfine against various pathogens, including Candida.
Other medicines - Sertaconazole, Clotrimazole, Salicylic, Sulfuric, Zinc Ointment.
Varnish for nail fungus
They are used in the early stages of mycosis, when the nail is affected on no more than 2/3 of the entire surface area.If the fungus has penetrated deep into the nail tissue, you need to first remove the top layer and only use medicine.After cutting the affected area, it should be repeated, according to the information specified in the description.
Advantages of anti-fungal varnish:
- Durability - The applied coating lasts up to several days.
- Comfort of Use - The product does not stain clothes and dries quickly.
- High Activity Component - Quickly penetrates the affected nail surface through microcracks.
- Wide spectrum of action - used against various types of pathogens, has a fungistatic and fungicidal effect.
- Convenience - The set contains the varnish itself, as well as additional tools necessary for use: file, sponge.
- A large selection of different products.
Sprays and solutions for fungal treatment and disinfection
With similar properties to creamy preparations and varnishes, manufacturers of anti-fungal products offer a variety of sprays and solutions.Their use makes sense in the early stages of pathological development.The liquid form of the anti-fungal agent allows the composition to penetrate the most difficult-to-reach places, filling micropores, cracks, folds of the skin, and also has an antimicrobial, antiseptic effect, and works as a medicine with a fungistatic function.Also, sprays and solutions dry the skin on the feet and the horny plates of the nails, creating an unfavorable environment for pathogens.
Any product presented in liquid form, as a solution or spray, depending on its membership in the group of active ingredients, acts against fungal nail infections, and in the form of disease prevention, disinfection of personal hygiene items, clothes, and shoes.In addition, the liquid form is easy to use to treat the skin of the feet.
Miconazole, Fluconazole, Terbinafine Hydrochloride, Bifonazole, Clotrimazole.
Tablets against nail fungus
Systemic mycosis with deep lesions, when the nail fungus spreads to the entire surface and depth of the stratum corneum, as well as epidermycoses and candidiasis often require complex therapy, with the simultaneous use of tablets and topical preparations.To treat fungal infections of the nails, in addition to antimycotics, antibiotics are used, as well as preparations of iodine and ammonium salts.
Antimycotics - iTraconazole, fluconazole, terbinafine.
Antibiotics - Griseofulvin, Levorin, Natamycin, Drugs of the Nystatin Group, any drug based on amphotericin.
Preparations for the treatment of fungus for pregnant and lactating women
The choice of drugs for fungus at any stage of pregnancy is the exclusive prerogative of the attending physician.An independent approach to determining the type of fungus and treating the lesion can turn out to be wrong, which will at least delay time and allow the colony to penetrate deep into the nail, and in some cases cause an unwanted reaction.The sooner you can detect pathology on your feet and on the horny plates of your nails and contact a mycologist, the better, better and safer the treatment and the result will be.
It is better to choose a drug for external use, and in situations where the disease has reached a systemic level, with deep penetration of the fungus into the structure of the nail, it is worth discussing the procedure for complete surgical removal.
There is no safe synthetic substance that destroys the fungus without any risk of harming a successful pregnancy and fetus.Even the relative safety of traditional methods can cause allergic reactions to natural components, or burn the skin around the nails (when using vinegar, iodine, etc.)
Undecylenic acid + zinc undecylenate is a combined drug, prescribed in the presence of strict indications, signs of hypersensitivity may occur.
Bifonazole - Except for the first trimester, in the second and third according to strict indications, there is a risk of allergic reactions.