Dermatológia pre prax 4/2017

Current treatment options for onychomycosis

Onychomycosis is the most common infection of the nails. Represents about 50% of all changes in the nail plate. Affects significantly more toenails than fingernails. It is a chronic disease with high prevalence and significant weight. It is important to treat it, since it will not disappear spontaneously, rough and distored nail can cause pain in closed shoes. Untreated infection may worsen, spread to other nails and the surrounding skin or other individuals are infected. There is currently no optimal treatment, oral antifungals are most effective, but for their toxicity and drug interactions, are not always indicated. Local drugs are indicated only with less extensive disease, have no serious side effects, are less painful such as partial or complete nail removal, however they require repeated and lengthy application. One way to reduce their treatment time, is to increase penetration of the drug through the nail plate.

Keywords: onychomycosis, systemic treatment, local treatment