Onychomycosis is a fairly common and widespread disease. Nail fungus develops mainly on the feet. Wearing tight, warm, wet shoes creates the most favorable environment for the development of pathogenic microorganisms. And increased sweating only increases the risk of onychomycosis. In fact, for any type of mushroom favorable conditions are warm and humid environment. Onychomycosis requires mandatory treatment. After all, in the absence of adequate therapy, the fungus penetrates the general bloodstream and spreads throughout the body. In this case, severe long-term systemic treatment will be required. Creams, ointments, varnishes, sprays and drops are used for local treatment. It is the drops that have become very popular lately.
When are toenail drops used?
In order for the treatment to be quick and successful, it is very important to consult a doctor in time. Toenail fungus heals quickly in the initial stage. The causes of onychomycosis are completely different. Most often these are yeasts, molds, dermatophytes. The doctor can identify the type of fungus only after conducting a laboratory examination of the scraping taken from the affected area of the nail.
Toenail fungus drops are very effective in treating the initial stage of onychomycosis. In the same case, the use of antifungal drugs inside in the form of tablets, capsules, powders is not required. Doctors prefer drops against onychomycosis because of their fungicidal and fungistatic properties. In the first case, the elimination of the fungus itself and the affected cells is noted. The fungistatic property is the ability of the drug to prevent the spread of the fungus.
Modern drops combine these two basic properties. This is the key to successful therapy. The doctor just needs to choose the most effective drops for a specific case of fungal infection of the toenails. After all, each drug has different active ingredients that affect specific types of fungi. In general, the use of drops of fungal infection on the nails is necessary in such cases:
- Deformation of the nail plate;
- Nail discoloration;
- Thickening of the nail plate;
- Bad smell;
- Stratification, exfoliation, nail disintegration;
- The appearance of spots or streaks on the surface of the plate.
Contraindications to use
Nail fungus drops have a number of contraindications. And before using any antifungal agents, you should carefully study this list. If you do not pay attention to such precautions, various side effects can occur. This can be either the simplest headache, abdominal pain or shortness of breath, anaphylactic shock, Quincke's edema, cardiac arrest.
The main contraindications to the use of drops of toenail fungus are the following factors:
- Pregnancy period;
- breastfeeding period;
- Age of children up to 12 years;
- Individual intolerance to the individual components of the drug;
- The presence of open wounds, bleeding;
- Allergic reactions to the drug.
Many drugs and drops against nail fungus are acceptable for use by pregnant women. However, it is better to avoid the use of drugs during the birth of the baby. Of course, if the nail fungus does not endanger the health of both the expectant mother and the baby. In this case, your doctor may allow the use of certain antifungal agents.
Modern drops against onychomycosis have a minimum number of contraindications. However, it is not worth prescribing any medication for yourself. Only a doctor will be able to advise specific drops suitable for the treatment of a particular type of fungus. The tablets also have a wide range of contraindications and side effects. Complex treatment should be fully supervised by a physician. If the patient notices unusual redness, itching, burning during treatment with the drops, the therapy should be stopped. It may be worthwhile to replace the drug or use other forms - gel, cream, ointment.
Popular drops of nail fungus
Today there are a large number of antifungals. For nail treatment you can use drops, varnishes, patches, sprays, creams, ointments, powders, tablets. The drops differ in speed and high efficiency. They are easy to use, quickly absorbed, which does not disrupt the normal rhythm of life of the patient. The drops not only kill the fungus, but also prevent the recurrence of mycosis. The drops should only be used externally. The active ingredient penetrates deep into the nail bed, concentrates in sufficient quantities and exerts its therapeutic effect. The most popular and effective are the following tools.
Drops based on naftifine hydrochloride
The active substance in these drops is naftifine hydrochloride. The drops cope well with fungal infections not only on the nails, but also on the skin of the feet, hands, in the area between the toes. Often experts prescribe a drug to combat lichen and other skin diseases. To achieve the maximum and fast effect, the nail plate should be cut (as much as possible) and cleaned before application. Only then are the drops applied to the surface of the nail plate. It is also important to treat the skin next to the nail. The tool is gently rubbed into the damaged areas. It is enough to perform such manipulations only once a day. The duration of the therapeutic course is prescribed only by a doctor. On average, the course lasts from 2 to 5 weeks. Even with the disappearance of symptoms, it is important to complete the entire course.
Drops of fungus on toenails based on cyclopirox
These drops effectively fight yeast and mold. It is these types of microorganisms that most often affect the nail plates of the feet and hands. They also show a therapeutic effect against some gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Doctors recommend the use of this drug in the early stages of onychomycosis, when no more than half of the nail plate is damaged. Prior to application, apply the maximum amount of the diseased nail. The rest of the nail should be roughened with a nail file. Only now can you apply the drops. This will allow the active ingredient to penetrate deep into the nail bed and quickly reduce the fungus population. You should cover your nails twice a day, rubbing the product with light massage movements. The course of treatment is 1-3 months.
Antifungal drops based on bifonazole
The drug has a broad spectrum of action. So the drops are used to treat such diseases:
- Microsporia;
- trichophytosis;
- Candidiasis of the nails;
- lichens;
- Rubrophytia;
- diaper rash;
- Increased sweating.
The agent is applied to the entire surface of the nail, nail roller. In this case, the product is rubbed with light movements. To achieve a quick effect, it is better to apply the drug twice a day. Before each application it is worth to evaporate the toenail, removing particles of spores. This will help get rid of the softened plate and penetrate the agent into the lesion. On average, the course of treatment lasts 2-3 weeks.
Drops with terbinafine
These drugs have a pronounced fungicidal effect. Regular use of drops for 3 months allows you to completely destroy the cell membrane of dermatophytes, yeast and mold. Before starting the application, it is recommended to evaporate the nail and remove the affected area. It is necessary to process the plate and the nail roller at least twice a day. Following all the recommendations, passing the full course, the manufacturer of the drops guarantees the absence of recurrences within 2 years.
It is worth remembering that the course of treatment of onychomycosis is quite long. Therefore, you must be patient and follow all the doctor's recommendations. Also, some experts recommend taking antifungal agents by mouth (tablets, capsules). This will enhance the effect, will speed up the healing process. Only an integrated approach will allow the patient to get rid of toenail problems forever.