Onychomycosis is a fungal nail infection that causes the nails to become discolored and thickened. It can cause pain and affects people of all ages, it is more common in older adults. It can be difficult to treat. It can have a negative impact on appearance and quality of life. It can also be contagious and spread from one person to another through contact with a person’s infected nails or fungi. The fungus can infect the nail plate, the matrix which controls nail growth, or both. The fungus can also affect the skin around the nail. Fungal nail infections can be caused by dermatophytes or non-dermatophyte molds, such as Syncephalastrum and Scytalidium species, Paecilomyces and Scopulariopsis species, and Candida species. These organisms may be able to survive on the surface of the nail and their presence may contribute to the resistance of onychomycosis to antifungal medications. Onychomycosis Treatment is challenging. Relapse and resistance are common. A thorough clinical evaluation, including a focused nail exam is important. A KOH preparation and culture should be performed. Various factors influence treatment choice, including causative organism, severity of infection and patient comorbidities. There are several antifungal medications that can be taken orally for Onychomycosis Treatment. These include terbinafine, itraconazole and fluconazole. These drugs work by interfering with the formation of the fungal cell wall. These drugs have good nail penetration and durability, allowing them to stay within the area of the infection for a long period of time. Oral itraconazole (Sporanox(tm)) has been found to be effective for onychomycosis. It is a broad spectrum antifungal agent that can be used for either fingernails or toenails. It is most effective when taken on a full stomach. It has a high mycological cure rate and good clinical improvement, especially in patients with toenail onychomycosis. It has low toxicity and no major drug interactions. It may interact with tetracyclines, SSRIs, beta-blockers, MAOIs and some hepatic enzyme inhibitors and inducers. Newer oral agents such as terbinafine (Lotrimin(tm)) and amoxicillin/clavulanate (Flagyl(tm)) are also effective. They have better penetration and durability than itraconazole and are less likely to interact with tetracyclines or other antibiotics. The fungal organisms that cause fungus infections are often found in the skin and nails. There are over-the-counter and prescription antifungal medications that can be taken orally to treat these infections. Azoles (fluconazole, itraconazole and ketoconazole) work by blocking the fungi's synthesis of lanosterol and disrupting cell membrane integrity. Polyene antifungals work by binding to ergosterol in the fungal cells. Allylamine antifungals (such as terbinafine) are similar to azoles, whereas they work by inhibiting squalene epoxidase, thereby interrupting ergosterol production and cell wall formation. Fungal nail infections are characterized by white speckled or powdery patches that cause the nails to become thick and discolored. Infection is most commonly caused by dermatophytes and occurs in toenails more frequently than fingernails. The fungus may also spread to the skin around the nail, skin ulcers in the folds of the feet or lungs. Sporothrix schenckii causes sporotrichosis, which is characterized by itchy nodules that do not heal. It is found in primarily in adults. For More Details, Read the Press Release for Onychomycosis Treatment
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