Onychomycosis is a fairly common and widespread disease. Nail fungus mainly develops on the legs. The use of moist, warm and tight 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 fungus, favorable conditions are a warm and humid environment. Onychomycosis requires mandatory treatment. After all, in the absence of proper therapy, the fungus penetrates into the general bloodstream and spreads throughout the body. In this case, severe long-term systemic treatment will be required. For local treatment, creams, ointments, varnishes, sprays and drops are used. It is the drops that have recently been very popular.
When are toenail fungus drops used?
In order for the treatment to be quick and successful, it is very important to consult a doctor for help in a timely manner. Toenail fungus is quickly treated in the initial stage. The causative agents of onychomycosis are completely different. Most often it is yeast, mold fungi, dermatophytes. The doctor can identify the genus of the fungus only after conducting a laboratory study of a scraping taken from the affected area of the nail.
Drops from toenail fungus are highly 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 for 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 main properties. This is the key to successful therapy. The doctor only needs to choose the most effective drops for a specific case of toenail fungus infection. After all, each drug has different active ingredients that affect specific types of fungus. In general, the use of drops from a fungal nail infection is required in such cases:
- deformation of the nail plate;
- Change the color of the nail;
- Thickening of the nail plate;
- Bad smell;
- Delamination, exfoliation, crumbling of the nail;
- The appearance of spots or streaks on the surface of the plate.
Contraindications for use
Drops from nail fungus have a number of contraindications. And before using any antifungal agent, you should carefully study this list. If you do not pay attention to such precautions, various adverse reactions may occur. It can be the simplest headaches, abdominal pain or shortness of breath, anaphylactic shock, Quincke's edema, cardiac arrest.
The main contraindications to the use of drops from toenail fungus are the following factors:
- pregnancy period;
- lactation period;
- Children's age 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 anti-fungal medications and drops are acceptable for use by pregnant women. But nevertheless, during the period of having a baby, it is better to avoid the use of drugs. Of course, if the nail fungus does not threaten the health of both the future mother and the baby. In this case, the doctor may allow the use of some antifungal agents.
Modern drops against onychomycosis have a minimum number of contraindications. But, nevertheless, it is not worth prescribing any medicine for yourself. Only a doctor will be able to recommend specific drops suitable for the treatment of a particular type of fungus. Tablets also have a wide range of contraindications and side effects. Complex treatment should be fully controlled by a doctor. If the patient during the period of treatment with drops noted abnormal redness, itching, burning, therapy should be discontinued. It may be worth replacing the remedy or using other forms: gel, cream, ointment.
Popular drops from nail fungus.
Today, there are a huge number of antifungal agents. For the treatment of nails, you can use drops, varnishes, patches, sprays, creams, ointments, powders, tablets. Droplets differ in speed and high efficiency. They are easy to use, quickly absorbed, which does not alter the patient's usual rhythm of life. The drops not only kill fungus, but also prevent the new development of mycosis. The drops should only be used externally. The active ingredient penetrates deep into the nail bed, is concentrated in sufficient quantities and exerts its therapeutic effect. The most popular and effective are the following tools.
Naftifine hydrochloride drops
The active ingredient in these drops is naftifine hydrochloride. Drops do an excellent job with a fungal infection not only on the nails, but also on the skin of the legs, hands, in the area between the fingers. Experts often prescribe a drug to combat lichen and other skin diseases. To achieve the maximum and fastest effect, the nail surface should be cut (as far as possible) and cleaned before application. Only after that drops are applied to the surface of the nail plate. Also, it is important to treat the skin adjacent to the nail. The tool is gently rubbed into the damaged areas. It is enough to carry out such manipulations only once a day. The duration of the course of therapy is prescribed only by the 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 to the end.
Ciclopirox-based toenail fungus drops
These drops effectively fight yeast and mold fungi. It is these types of microorganisms that most often affect the nail plates on the legs and arms. In addition, they show a therapeutic effect in relation to some gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Doctors recommend using this drug in the early stages of the development of onychomycosis, when no more than half of the nail plate is damaged. Before application, the maximum amount of the diseased nail is applied. The remaining nail must be brought to a rough state with a nail file. Only now can you apply drops. This will allow the active component to penetrate deep into the nail bed and quickly reduce the population of the fungus. It is necessary to cover the nails twice a day, rubbing the product with light massage movements. The course of therapy is 1-3 months.
Bifonazole-based antifungal drops
The drug has a wide spectrum of action. So, drops are used to treat such diseases:
- microsporia;
- trichophytosis;
- nail thrush;
- Lichen;
- rubrophytia;
- diaper rash;
- Increased sweating.
The agent is applied to the entire surface of the nail, the 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 steaming the toenail, removing spore particles. This will help get rid of soft plaque and penetrate the agent into the lesion. On average, the course of therapy 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, yeasts and molds. Before starting the application, it is recommended to vaporize the nail and remove the affected area. It is necessary to process the nail plate and roller at least twice a day. Subject to all recommendations, passing the full course, the manufacturer of the drops guarantees the absence of relapse within 2 years.
It is worth remembering that the course of treatment of onychomycosis is quite long. Therefore, you need to 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, speed up the healing process. Only an integrated approach will allow the patient to permanently get rid of toenail problems.