The main provoking factor of nail fungus is infection - the penetration of pathogens into the nail plate. Therefore, to defeat the disease, doctors prescribe various drugs against fungus on the feet. At the moment, they are presented in a wide range in the pharmacy chain - tablets, sprays, as well as varnishes and ointments. With timely and complex impact, the disease can be resolved in a short time.
Types of antifungal drugs on nails
In direct dependence on the clinical characteristics of the fungal infection, as well as the prevalence of the disease, the specialist will recommend the best therapeutic option.
In addition to onychomycosis, drugs are chosen from the following types:
- With fungicidal effect - they effectively inhibit the activity of most subgroups of fungi.
- Agents from the allylamine subgroup are effective against mold and yeast microorganisms.
- Morpholine-based preparations - suppress the viability of fungi due to the violation of the structure of their membrane.
- Other medicines: undecylenic acid based, with essential oils, with herbal ingredients.
When choosing a particular antifungal agent, the doctor must take into account its price, because therapeutic measures will need to be carried out for a long time - sometimes up to six months or more.
Local preparations
In order to suppress the fungal flora directly in the nail tissues, experts are considering drugs with local antifungal action. The pharmaceutical industry produces them in several forms:
- ointments, creams;
- varnishes;
- sprays;
- serums, solutions;
- keratolytic patches.
These funds will usually be effective in the initial stage of onychomycosis - in the case of damage by fungal microorganisms no more than 2/3 of the nail surface on 1-2 fingers. In other cases, local therapy is carried out as an additional measure in the fight against the disease.
The use of varnishes and antifungal creams has its own properties - in order to accelerate the penetration of the active components of the drug from the fungus from the inside, prior preparation is required:
- steaming of the affected part of the nail - for example, in a solution of soda-salt during a foot bath;
- removal of the diseased part of the nail - for example, pedicure scissors or a file;
- application of disinfectant solution;
- treatment with antifungal drugs.
A healthy nail will gradually grow. However, this will require patience.
Systemic drugs
In the case of mass infection with fungal microorganisms (large area of lesions, infection not only nails, but also other parts of the body with vivid clinical manifestations, the creation of complications), doctors resort to systemic drugs. Their goal is to suppress the growth as much as possible, as well as the reproduction of pathogenic fungal agents.
Of course, these drugs have their advantages:
- the ability to penetrate deeper into tissues, which local funds are deprived of;
- preservation of the drug concentration at the sites of application for longer - up to several weeks, even months;
- less painstaking use, especially with several fungal foci - it is enough to take tablets 1-2 times a day;
- cost-effectiveness - as a rule, 1 bottle of fungal medicine is enough for the treatment procedure.
Of the shortcomings of antifungal drugs, doctors indicate:
- increased toxicity to the digestive system and the patient's body as a whole;
- inability to use in certain subgroups of patients - for example, in children, pregnant women and the elderly;
- some systemic antifungal drugs are lowered to be ingested only under stationary conditions.
To reduce the risk of side effects of taking medications, experts prescribe them in short courses - in complex therapy, together with local varnishes or sprays.
List of effective remedies for toenail fungus
A person who is ignorant in the properties and mechanisms of antifungal action of pharmaceutical drugs finds it difficult to discover which drugs will more quickly have the desired therapeutic effect. There are many powerful, proven antifungal drugs in the arsenal of the modern mycologist:
- Antifungal varnishes.
- Fungicide creams are recommended for shallow penetration of fungi into the nail or damage to adjacent soft tissues of the fingers.
- Keratolytic agents are an excellent alternative to hardware that treats foot fungus, and are recommended for extensive lesions.
- Systemic antifungals - necessary for serious nail fungus.
Self-treatment of fungal disease is absolutely unacceptable. The best treatment regimen for fungal microorganisms should be chosen by a physician. In that case, the treatment will be efficient, fast and safe.
Advantages and disadvantages of drugs from the subgroup allylamine
In the pharmacy network, drugs from the subgroup allylamine are presented in different dosage forms:
- cream,
- tablets,
- spray.
The drug is a prominent representative of antifungal drugs from the subgroup of allylamine. Therefore, it has a strong antifungal effect against most fungal microorganisms.
When taken orally, the active component of the drug rapidly accumulates in the tissues. At the same time, the systemic effect can last for a long time due to the high concentration of the fungicide drug in the nail. Thanks to this feature, the treatment time of onychomycosis can be significantly reduced.
Contraindications are indicated in the attached detailed instructions of the manufacturer:
- individual human hyperreaction to the main and additional components of the drug;
- children of infected - children up to 10-12 years;
- decompensated disorders of liver cells as well as kidneys.
Extremely cautiously, an antifungal drug is prescribed to people prone to allergic conditions. Sometimes side effects occur in the background of therapy:
- headache;
- dyspeptic disorders;
- joint pain as well as muscle pain;
- allergic rash;
- sleep disorders;
- hair loss.
The price of the drug will depend on the form of discharge, region, volume of the bottle.
Characteristics of the use of terbinafine-based drugs
Mycologists are starting antifungal treatment with terbinafine-based drugs, because the manufacturer produces the drug in several forms - from tablets and solutions to varnishes and sprays. This expands the possibilities of resolving nail fungus even at an advanced stage of the disease course.
With the correct choice of antifungal therapy regimen, positive results are noticeable by the end of the second week from the moment these agents are used. Spraying the active ingredient in the form of a spray, as well as taking tablets, are considered a particularly successful combination.
However, the main advantage of an antifungal drug is the wide range of topical forms. So on the shelf are pharmacy varnishes, ointments and sprays. It is enough to apply them correctly, which avoids unwanted systemic complications. In this case, the concentration of the active substance remains high for a long time. This allows you to use the medication not only for therapeutic, but also for prophylactic purposes - to prevent re-infection of the nails. It is extremely rare that a cure for fungi can cause:
- rash;
- enhanced local combustion;
- unpleasant itching after application.
The tablet form, if taken uncontrollably, can cause disorders in the work of the immune, nervous, as well as the digestive and musculoskeletal system.
Treatment of fluconazole-based fungi
A modern powerful agent containing fluconazole, as a rule, is introduced into the regime of antifungal therapy, including the case of nail infection on the feet, with massive lesions of fungal microorganisms. Available in two forms - tablets and capsules.
The instructions for use from the manufacturer describe in detail the best scheme of fungal exposure for different types of onychomycosis. Since the treatment will require long-term use of tablets, the mycologist individually selects the frequency of application and duration of therapy.
In combination with local forms of antifungal drugs - varnishes, sprays, drugs of this group in capsules will have the necessary therapeutic effect. This speeds up the recovery time many times over - the nails become clean and beautiful.
Contraindications to the drug:
- children under 12;
- in women - the period of intrauterine fetal birth;
- lactation;
- severe functional disorders in the structure of the liver as well as the renal tubules;
- individual hyperreaction.
The cost directly depends on whether the original active substance is used for the production of tablets. The drugs are quite affordable in terms of price. While his colleagues can cause significant financial damage.
Alternative remedies for nail fungus
In addition to the advertised antifungal drugs, alternative medications will also deal with the disease. Popular among doctors and patients are:
- Antiseptics - have a pronounced disinfectant and bactericidal effect, while such drugs are sufficient for application once a day for two months;
- Oral freshener with menthol - used in the form of foot baths, for example, in combination with apple cider vinegar, the duration of the procedure is about 15-20 minutes every day;
- Boric acid-based products - to remove nail fungus when used properly.
Success in the fight against toenail fungus largely depends on the timeliness of antifungal treatment initiated. Even a small stain can indicate the penetration of fungal microorganisms into the thickness of the nail plate. It is necessary to work with them in a complex way - with the help of tablets, ointments, medicinal varnishes.