The main factor provoking nail fungus is infection - the penetration of pathogens into the nail plate. Therefore, to overcome the disease, doctors are prescribed various remedies for the fungus of the feet. In the pharmacy chain at present, they are presented in a wide range - tablets, sprays, as well as varnishes and ointments. With timely and complex impact, the disease can be treated in a short time.
Types of drugs for nail fungus
In direct dependence on the clinical features of the fungal infection, as well as the prevalence of the disease, the specialist will recommend the best treatment option.
With onychomycosis, drugs are selected from the following types:
- With fungicidal effect - effectively inhibits the activity of most subgroups of fungi.
- Means of the allylamine subgroup are effective against mold and yeast microorganisms.
- Morpholine preparations - suppress the viability of fungi due to a 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 take into account its price, since therapeutic measures will have to be carried out for a long time - sometimes up to six months or more.
Topical preparations
In order to suppress the fungal flora directly in the tissues of the nail, experts consider drugs with local antifungal action. The pharmaceutical industry produces them in several forms:
- ointments, creams;
- varnish;
- Vaporizers;
- sera, solutions;
- keratolytic patches.
As a rule, the listed funds will be effective at the initial stage of onychomycosis - in case of damage from fungal microorganisms, no more than 2/3 of the nail surface on 1-2 toes. In other cases, local therapy is carried out as an additional measure to combat the disease.
The use of varnishes and antifungal creams has its own characteristics - to accelerate the penetration of the active components of the drug from the fungus inside, preliminary preparation is necessary:
- steam the affected part of the nail - for example, in sodium salt solution during a foot bath;
- removal of the diseased part of the nail - for example, with pedicure scissors or with a file;
- apply a disinfectant solution;
- treatment with antifungal drugs.
A healthy nail will grow back gradually. However, it will take patience.
Systemic drugs
In case of massive infection with fungal microorganisms (a large area of lesion, infection not only of the nails, but also other parts of the body with vivid clinical manifestations, the formation of complications), doctors resort toto systemic drugs. Their goal is to suppress as much as possible the growth, as well as the reproduction of pathogens of the fungus.
Of course, these drugs have their own advantages:
- the ability to penetrate deeper into tissues, of which local funds are deprived;
- retention of the concentration of the drug in the places of application for a longer time - up to several weeks, or even months;
- less laborious use, especially with several fungal foci - it is enough to take tablets 1-2 times a day;
- cost-effective - as a rule, 1 bottle of the drug from the fungus is enough for treatment.
Among the shortcomings of antifungal drugs, doctors indicate:
- increased toxicity to the digestive system and the patient's body as a whole;
- the 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 be introduced into the body only under stationary conditions.
To reduce the risk of side effects from taking drugs, experts prescribe them in a short course - in complex therapy, with varnishes or local sprays.
List of effective drugs for toenail fungus
It is difficult for a person who is unaware of the characteristics and mechanisms of the antifungal effect of pharmaceutical drugs to determine more quickly which drugs will have the desired therapeutic effect. In the arsenal of a modern mycologist there are many powerful and proven remedies for fungus:
- Antifungal varnishes.
- Fungicidal creams are recommended for shallow penetration of the fungus into the nail or to damage adjacent soft tissues of the fingers.
- Keratolytic agents are a great alternative to the material to get rid of the fungus on the feet, they are recommended for extensive lesions.
- Systemic antimycotics - needed for severe nail fungus.
Self-medication of a fungal disease is absolutely unacceptable. The best treatment regimens for fungal microorganisms should be selected by a doctor. In this case, the treatment will be effective, quick and safe.
Advantages and disadvantages of drugs of the allylamine subgroup
In the pharmacy network, drugs of the allylamine subgroup are presented in different dosage forms:
- cream,
- pills,
- spray.
The drug is a prominent representative of antifungal drugs from the subgroup of allylamines. Therefore, it is inherent to have a strong antifungal effect against most fungal microorganisms.
When taken orally, the active component of the drug quickly accumulates in the tissues. At the same time, the systemic effect can persist for a long time due to the high concentration of the fungicidal drug in the nail bed. With this feature, the treatment time for 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 the drug;
- children of infected persons - children up to 10-12 years;
- decompensated disorders of liver cells, as well as kidneys.
With extreme caution, a remedy for the fungus is prescribed to people prone to allergies. Sometimes against the background of therapy side effects are formed:
- headache;
- dyspeptic disorders;
- joint and muscle pain;
- allergic rashes;
- sleep disturbances;
- hair loss.
The cost of the drug will depend on the form of release, the region and the volume of the vial.
Features of the use of drugs based on terbinafine
Mycologists begin antifungal therapy with drugs based on terbinafine, since the manufacturer produces the drug in several forms - from tablets and solutions to varnishes and sprays. This expands the possibilities of getting rid of nail fungus even at the advanced stage of the course of the disease.
With the correct selection of the antifungal treatment regimen, positive results are noticeable at the end of the second week from the moment when these funds are used. Spraying the active ingredient in the form of a spray, as well as taking tablets, is considered a particularly successful combination.
However, the main advantage of the drug against the fungus is a wide range of local forms. So on the shelf in the pharmacy are varnishes, ointments and aerosols. It is enough to apply them punctually, 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 drug not only for therapeutic purposes, but also for prophylactic purposes - to prevent re-infection of the nails. It is extremely rare that a medicine for a fungus can cause:
- Rashes;
- increased local burning;
- unpleasant itching after application.
The form of the tablets, when taken uncontrollably, can cause disturbances in the functioning of the immune, nervous, as well as digestive and musculoskeletal systems.
Fungal treatment with fluconazole
As a rule, a modern powerful agent, which contains fluconazole, is introduced into the antifungal treatment regimen, including with infection of the toenails, with massive lesions by fungal microorganisms. Available in two forms - tablets and capsules.
The manufacturer's instructions for use describe in detail the best scheme for influencing the fungus for different types of onychomycosis. Since the treatment will require long-term use of tablets, the mycologist chooses the frequency of administration and the duration of treatment 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. It speeds up the recovery time several times - the nails become clean and beautiful.
Contraindications to the drug:
- children under 12;
- in women - the period of intrauterine port of the fetus;
- lactation;
- severe functional disorders of the structure of the liver, as well as the renal tubules;
- individual hyperreaction.
The cost directly depends on whether or not the original active substance is used for the production of tablets. The 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 advertised antifungal drugs, alternative drugs will cope with the disease. Doctors and patients appreciate:
- Antiseptics - have a pronounced disinfectant and bactericidal effect, while these drugs are enough to apply once a day for two months;
- Menthol oral deodorant - 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 per day;
- Boric Acid Products - to get rid of nail fungus when used correctly.
The success of the fight against the fungus on the toenails largely depends on how quickly the antifungal treatment is started. Even a single small spot can indicate the penetration of fungal microorganisms into the thickness of the nail plate. It is necessary to treat them in a complex way - with the help of tablets, ointments, medicinal varnishes.