The main provoking factor of nail fungus is the infection - the penetration of pathogens into the nail plate. Therefore, to defeat the disease, doctors prescribe various drugs for fungus on the feet. In the pharmacy chain at the moment they are presented in a wide range - tablets, sprays, as well as varnishes and ointments. With timely and complex impact, the disease can cope in a short time.
Types of medicines for nail fungus
Depending on the clinical features of the fungal infection, as well as the spread of the disease, the specialist will recommend the best treatment option.
In onychomycosis, drugs are selected from the following types:
- With fungicidal effect - effectively inhibits the activity of most subgroups of fungi.
- Allylamine subgroups are effective against mold and yeast microorganisms.
- Preparations based on morpholine - suppress the viability of the fungus due to a violation in the structure of their membrane.
- Other drugs: based on undecylenic acid, with essential oils, with herbal ingredients.
When choosing a specific antifungal agent, the doctor must take into account its price, as therapeutic measures will have to be carried out for a long time - sometimes up to six months or more.
Topical preparations
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 spots.
As a rule, the listed means 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 of 1-2 fingers. In other cases, topical therapy is given 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, it is necessary to prepare in advance:
- suffocation 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 with pedicure scissors or a file;
- application of disinfectant;
- treatment with antifungal drugs.
A healthy nail will gradually grow back. However, this will require patience.
Systemic drugs
In the case of a massive infection with fungal microorganisms (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 resort to systemic drugs. Their goal is to maximally inhibit the growth as well as the reproduction of pathogenic agents of the fungus.
Of course, these drugs have their advantages:
- the ability to penetrate deeper into the tissues, which local funds are deprived of;
- maintaining the concentration of the drug at the sites of application for longer - up to several weeks, even months;
- less labor-intensive use, especially with several fungal outbreaks - it is enough to take tablets 1-2 times a day;
- cost-effectiveness - as a rule, 1 bottle of the fungal drug is sufficient for the course of treatment.
Among the disadvantages of antifungal drugs, doctors point out:
- 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 and 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 short courses - in complex therapy, along with topical varnishes or sprays.
List of effective remedies for toenail fungus
It is difficult for a person who does not know the characteristics and mechanisms of the antifungal effect of pharmaceutical drugs to understand which drugs will have the desired therapeutic effect faster. In the arsenal of the modern mycologist there are many powerful, proven drugs for fungi:
- Antifungal varnishes.
- Fungicide creams are recommended for shallow penetration of the fungus into the nail or damage to adjacent soft tissues of the fingers.
- Keratolytic agents are an excellent alternative to hardware, which gets rid of fungus on the feet, it is recommended for extensive lesions.
- Systemic antifungals - needed for severe nail fungus.
Self-treatment of a fungal disease is absolutely unacceptable. The best treatment 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, the drugs from 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. It is therefore inherent to have a powerful 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 last for a long time due to the high concentration of the fungicide drug in the nail bed. Thanks to this feature, the treatment time for onychomycosis can be significantly reduced.
Contraindications are listed in the attached detailed instructions from the manufacturer:
- individual human hyperreaction to the main and additional components of the drug;
- children of the infected - children up to 10-12 years;
- decompensated disorders of liver cells as well as kidneys.
The drug for fungus is prescribed with extreme caution to people prone to allergic conditions. Sometimes side effects occur against the background of therapy:
- headache;
- dyspeptic disorders;
- joint and muscle pain;
- allergic rashes;
- sleep disorders;
- hair loss.
The price of the drug will depend on the form of release, the region, the volume of the bottle.
Features of the use of drugs based on terbinafine
Mycologists are starting antifungal treatment with drugs based on terbinafine, as the manufacturer produces the drug in several forms - from tablets and solutions to varnishes and sprays. This expands the possibilities for the removal of nail fungus even at an advanced stage of the disease.
With the right choice of antifungal therapy regimen, positive results are seen by the end of the second week after using these funds. Spraying the active ingredient in the form of a spray, as well as taking tablets, is considered a particularly successful combination.
The main advantage of the drug against the fungus, however, is a wide range of topical forms. So there are varnishes, ointments and sprays on the pharmacy shelf. It is enough to apply them in a direction that 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 but also for prophylactic purposes - to prevent re-infection of the nails. Extremely rare fungal medicine can provoke:
- rashes;
- increased local combustion;
- unpleasant itching after application.
The tablet form, when taken uncontrollably, can cause disturbances in the functioning of the immune, nervous, as well as the digestive and musculoskeletal systems.
Treatment of fungi based on fluconazole
A modern potent agent containing fluconazole is usually introduced in the mode of antifungal therapy, including in the case of infection of the toenails, with massive lesions of fungal microorganisms. It is available in two forms - tablets and capsules.
The manufacturer's instructions describe in detail the best scheme for influencing the fungus in different types of onychomycosis. As the treatment will require long-term use of tablets, the mycologist chooses the frequency of administration and the duration of therapy individually.
In combination with topical forms of antifungal drugs - varnishes, sprays, drugs of this group in capsules will have the necessary therapeutic effect. This repeatedly speeds up the recovery time - the nails become clean and beautiful.
Contraindications to the drug:
- children under 12 years of age;
- in women - the period of intrauterine birth of the fetus;
- breastfeeding;
- severe functional disorders in the structure of the liver and renal tubules;
- individual hyperreaction.
The price directly depends on whether the original active substance is used for the production of tablets. Medicines are quite affordable. While his colleagues can cause significant financial damage.
Alternative remedies for nail fungus
In addition to the advertised antifungal drugs, alternative drugs will 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;
- Menthol mouth freshener - 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. Even a small spot 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, ointments, healing varnishes.