The main provocative factor of nail fungus is infection - the penetration of pathogens into the nail plate. Therefore, in order to defeat the disease, doctors prescribe various remedies for foot fungus. In the pharmacy chain at the moment they are presented in a wide range - tablets, sprays, as well as paints and oils. With a timely and complex impact, the disease can be treated in a short time.
Types of remedies for nail fungus
Depending directly on the clinical features of the fungal infection as well as the spread of the disease, the specialist will recommend the best therapy option.
With onychomycosis, medications are selected from the following types:
- With a fungicidal effect - effectively inhibit the activity of most subgroups of fungi.
- Means from the allylamine subgroup are effective against mold and yeast microorganisms.
- Morpholine-based preparations - suppress the stability of fungi due to violation of the structure of their membrane.
- Other medicines: based on undecylenic acid, with essential oils, with herbal ingredients.
When choosing a particular antifungal agent, the doctor should consider its price, as therapeutic measures will have to be carried out for a long time - sometimes up to six months or more.
Current preparations
In order to suppress the fungal flora directly on the nail tissue, experts are considering drugs of local antifungal action. The pharmaceutical industry produces them in several forms:
- ointments, creams;
- varnish;
- spray;
- serums, solutions;
- keratolytic patches.
As a rule, the funds listed will be effective in the initial stage of onychomycosis - in case of damage by fungal microorganisms no more than 2/3 of the nail area in 1-2 fingers. In other cases, local therapy is performed as an additional measure to fight the disease.
The use of antifungal varnishes and creams has its own characteristics - to accelerate the penetration of the active ingredients of the drug from the fungus inside, prior preparation is required:
- evaporation of the affected part of the nail - for example, in a soda salt solution during a foot bath;
- removal of the diseased part of the nail - for example, with pedicure scissors, or with a file;
- application of a disinfectant solution;
- treatment with antifungal drugs.
A healthy nail will gradually grow back. However, this will require patience.
Systemic drugs
In case of mass infection with fungal microorganisms (a large area of the lesion, infection not only of the nails, but also other parts of the body with vivid clinical manifestations, the formation of complications), doctors use systemic drugs. Their purpose is to suppress the growth as much as possible, as well as the reproduction of fungal pathogens.
Of course, these drugs have their advantages:
- the ability to penetrate deeper into tissues deprived of local funds;
- maintaining the concentration of the drug at the sites of application for longer - up to several weeks, even months;
- less hassle of use, especially with some fungal foci - just take 1-2 tablets a day;
- cost effectiveness - as a rule, 1 bottle of fungus medicine is enough for the course of treatment.
From 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, as well as the elderly;
- some systemic antifungal drugs are lowered to enter the body only in stationary conditions.
To reduce the risk of side effects from taking the medication, experts prescribe them in short courses - in complex therapies, along with local sprays or sprays.
List of effective remedies for toenail fungus
It is difficult for a person who is ignorant of the features and mechanisms of antifungal effect of pharmaceutical drugs to understand which drugs will most quickly have the desired therapeutic effect. In the arsenal of a modern mycologist, there are many powerful and proven tools for the fungus:
- Antifungal varnishes.
- Fungicidal creams are advised for shallow penetration of the fungus into the nail or damage to the soft tissues adjacent to the fingers.
- Keratolytic agents are an excellent alternative to the device getting rid of foot fungus, they are advisable for extensive lesions.
- Systemic antifungals - essential for strong nail fungus.
Self-medication of a fungal disease is absolutely unacceptable. The best medication regimens for fungal microorganisms should be chosen by a physician. In this case, the treatment will be effective, fast and safe.
Advantages and disadvantages of drugs from the allylamine subgroup
In the pharmacy network, drugs from the allylamine subgroup are presented in different dosage forms:
- cream,
- pill,
- spray.
The drug is an outstanding representative of antifungal drugs from the subgroup of allylamines. Therefore, it is natural to have a strong antifungal effect against most fungal microorganisms.
When taken orally, the active ingredient of the drug quickly accumulates in the tissues. At the same time, the systemic effect may persist for a long time due to the high concentration of the fungicide in the nail bed. Thanks to this feature, the treatment time of onychomycosis can be significantly reduced.
Contraindications are indicated in the attached detailed instructions from the manufacturer:
- individual human hyperreaction to the main and additional components of medicines;
- infected children - children up to 10-12 years old;
- decompensated disorders of liver cells as well as kidneys.
With extreme caution, a fungus remedy has been prescribed for people prone to allergic conditions. Sometimes, in the background of therapy, undesirable effects are formed:
- headache;
- dyspeptic disorders;
- joint and muscle pain;
- allergic rash;
- sleep disorders;
- Hair loss.
The cost of the drug will depend on the form of release, the region, the volume of the bottle.
Characteristics of the use of terbinafine-based drugs
Mycologists begin antifungal treatment with terbinafine-based medicines, as the manufacturer produces the medicine in several forms - from tablets and solutions to varnishes and sprays. This expands the possibilities to get rid of nail fungus even in the advanced stage of the disease course.
With the correct choice of antifungal therapy regimen, positive results are observed by the end of the second week from the moment of using these funds. Spraying the active ingredient in the form of a spray, as well as taking tablets, is considered to be a particularly successful combination.
However, the main advantage of the fungus remedy is a wide range of local forms. So on the pharmacy shelf are paints, oils and varnishes. Enough is enough to implement those points, 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 remedy for a fungus can provoke:
- rashes;
- increased local burning;
- unpleasant itching after application.
The tablet form, when taken uncontrollably, can cause disorders of the functioning of the immune, nervous, as well as digestive and musculoskeletal systems.
Treatment of fluconazole based fungi
A powerful modern agent, which contains fluconazole, as a rule, enters the regimen of antifungal therapy, including in case of infection of the toenails, with massive lesions from fungal microorganisms. Available in two forms - tablets and capsules.
The instructions for use by the manufacturer describe in detail the best scheme to affect the fungus for different types of onychomycosis. Since treatment will require long-term use of the tablets, the mycologist selects the frequency of administration and the duration of therapy on an individual basis.
In combination with local forms of antifungal drugs - varnishes, sprays, drugs of this group in capsules will have the required therapeutic effect. This speeds up the recovery time many times over - the nails become clean and beautiful.
Contraindications to the drug:
- children under 12 years;
- in women - the period of intrauterine retention of the fetus;
- lactation;
- severe functional disorders in the structure of the liver, as well as renal tubules;
- individual hyperreaction.
The cost depends directly on whether the original active substance is used for the production of tablets. Drugs are quite affordable in terms of price. While its counterparts can cause significant financial damage.
Alternative remedies for nail fungus
In addition to the antifungal drugs advertised, alternative drugs will cope with the disease. Recognized by doctors and patients are:
- Antiseptics - have a pronounced disinfectant and bactericidal effect, while such drugs are sufficient to be applied once a day for two months;
- Oral refreshing 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 get rid of nail fungus when used properly.
Success in the fight against fungus on the nails depends mainly on the timing of the initiated antifungal treatment. Even a single small stain can indicate the penetration of fungal microorganisms into the thickness of the nail plate. It is necessary to deal with them in a complex way - with the help of tablets, oils, medicinal varnishes.