Nail Polish antifungal effective in treating fungal toenails Onychomycosis is an infection of nails caused by fungus. About 8% of the U.S. population is affected by fungal nail infections and the prevalence increases with age. The fungus causes the nail becomes thick and discolored. fading yellow-brown or white spots may be common appearance. More severe infections cause the nail to change shape, bending over the sides and distorting. The nails can become rough and crumbly. The fungus does not cause pain, but the thickness and shape can cause excessive pressure and discomfort and sometimes lead to ingrown nails and bacterial infection. In diabetics, fungal toenails can lead to ulceration under the nail.
The most common pathogen of onychomycosis is called dermatophytes. Dermatophytes are fungi that live on the skin, hair and nails. "Derm" skin = "phyte" = pathological growth. The nails are more affected than the toenails grow more slowly because, are enclosed in shoes, are frequently exposed to wet microtrauma and wetlands. Fungus grows well in confined spaces, moisture environments which means that people with excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) and feet of their athletes to be in sneakers for long periods of time are more susceptible to foot development and toenail fungus. Gyms, showers and swimming pools are common areas for mushrooms.
A combination of factors that contribute to the development of a fungal infection of nails. Simply enter in contact with the fungus will not cause an infection. When skin is wet, it causes the release of bonds and increases the chances of infection. Prolonged exposure to the fungus will also increase the chances of infection. People who are in closed shoes with no breathability for long periods and sweaty due to the exercise or warm temperatures are more likely to develop foot or toenail fungus. Fungi are more likely to be invaded by small breaks in the skin around the nail. Runners who experience repetitive strain at the toe of the shoe pressure, or people wearing tight shoes or boots are narrower at higher risk of infection. Dry or cracked skin around the nail or the existence of an ingrown toenail, even if slight, increase the chances of a fungal infection. Once the nail is infected, it becomes extremely difficult to treat.
There are many treatments for nail fungus, and they range from natural therapies to prescription medications by mouth. Most topical treatments have not proven very effective in the past and many oral medications too expensive or have side effects. A new study in the Journal of Foot and ankle surgery and evaluated ciclopirox debridement in patients with onychomycosis and found the combination to be effective (JFAS Volume 48, Issue 3, Pages 294-308, 2009).
The researchers evaluated 55 patients with 289 nails with onychomycosis. The patients were divided randomly into two treatment groups, only a debridement or debridement with daily ciclopirox (Penlac ®) application. The mean follow-up of 10.5 months and the results showed that the group treated with both ciclopirox and debridement had a cure rate of 76% mycological, which was a statistically significant improvement compared to those in the debridement single group. Patients with hyperhidrosis (sweaty feet), the lunula involvement, yeast culture positive or who smoked cigarettes had a mycological cure rate.
<em> This study was supported by Dermik Laboratories, the manufacturers of> Penlac ® nail polish </ em>.
Posted on February 18, 2010.
