Onychomycosis is a very common and widespread disease. Nail fungus mainly develops on the feet. Wearing tight, warm, wet shoes creates the most favorable environment for the growth of pathogenic microorganisms. And increased sweating only increases the risk of onychomycosis. Indeed, a favorable and conducive environment for all kinds of mushrooms is a warm and humid environment. Onychomycosis requires mandatory treatment. After all, in the absence of adequate therapy, the fungus enters the general bloodstream and spreads throughout the body. This condition will require serious long-term systemic treatment. Creams, ointments, varnishes, sprays and drops are used for local treatment. These are the drops that have become very popular lately.
When are fungal drops used on toenails?
It is very important to consult a doctor for timely help for fast and successful treatment. Nail fungus is treated quickly at the initial stage. The cause of onychomycosis is completely different. The most common are yeasts, molds, dermatophytes. The doctor can determine the type of fungus only after conducting a laboratory examination of a piece of nail taken from the affected area of the nail.
Drops of nail fungus are highly effective in the treatment of the initial stage of onychomycosis. In the same case, the use of antifungal drugs in the form of tablets, capsules, powders is not required. Doctors prefer drops against onychomycosis due to their fungicidal and fungistatic properties. In the first case, the removal of the fungus itself and the affected cells is noted. Fungistatic property is the ability of the drug to prevent the spread of fungus.
Modern drops combine these two main features. This is the key to successful therapy. The doctor should choose only the most effective drops for a particular condition of fungal infection of the toenails. After all, each drug has different active ingredients that affect certain types of fungi. In general, in such cases, the use of drops for fungal infections of the nails is required:
- deformation of the nail plate;
- Nail color change;
- Thickening of the nail plate;
- Bad smell;
- Nail delamination, abrasion, breakage;
- Appearance of spots or streaks on the surface of the plate.
Contraindications
Drops of nail fungus have a number of contraindications. You should read this list carefully before using any antifungal agent. If you do not pay attention to such precautions, various adverse reactions can occur. These can be either the simplest headaches, abdominal pain, or shortness of breath, anaphylactic shock, Quincke's edema, heart failure.
The main contraindications to the use of drops from nail fungus are the following factors:
- Pregnancy;
- lactation period;
- Children under 12 years of age;
- Individual intolerance to individual components of the drug;
- Presence of open wounds, bleeding;
- Allergic reactions to the drug.
Many medications and drops against nail fungus are acceptable for use by pregnant women. However, it is better to avoid the use of drugs during childbirth. Of course, if the nail fungus does not threaten the health of both the expectant mother and the baby. In this case, your doctor may prescribe some 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 recommend special drops that are 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 feels abnormal redness, itching, burning during treatment with drops, therapy should be stopped. It may be worth changing the remedy or using other forms - gels, creams, ointments.
Popular drops from nail fungus
There are many antifungal agents available today. You can use drops, varnishes, patches, sprays, creams, ointments, powders, tablets to treat nails. The drops are characterized by 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 re-growth of the mycosis. Drops should only be used externally. The active ingredient penetrates deep into the nail bed, concentrates enough and has a therapeutic effect. The most popular and effective are the following tools.
Naftifin hydrochloride based drops
The active ingredient in these drops is naphthylene hydrochloride. The drops work well not only on the nails, but also on the skin of the feet, hands, in the area between the toes with a fungal infection. Specialists often prescribe a drug to combat lichen and other skin diseases. To achieve the maximum and fastest effect, the nail plate should be cut (as much as possible) and applied before applying. Only then are the drops applied to the surface of the nail plate. It is also important to treat the skin adjacent to the nail. The tool is gently rubbed into the damaged areas. It is enough to do such manipulations once a day. The duration of the course of therapy is determined only by a physician. On average, the course lasts from 2 to 5 weeks. Even with no symptoms, it is important to complete the entire course.
Drops of cyclopirox-based nail fungus
These drops effectively fight yeast and mold. These are the microorganisms that most commonly affect the nail plates on the legs and arms. They also have a therapeutic effect on some gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Doctors recommend using this drug in the early stages of onychomycosis, when more than half of the nail plate is not damaged. The maximum amount of patient nail is applied before application. The remaining nail should be smoothed with a nail file. Only now you can apply the drops. This will allow the active ingredient to penetrate deep into the nail bed and quickly reduce the fungal population. It is necessary to cover the nails twice a day by rubbing the product with light massage movements. The course of therapy is 1-3 months.
Bifonazole-based antifungal drops
The drug has a wide range of action. Thus, drops are used in the treatment of such diseases:
- microsporia;
- trichophytosis;
- nail candidiasis;
- 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. It is better to apply the drug twice a day to achieve a quick effect. It is worth evaporating the toenail before each application to remove spores. This will help get rid of the softened plate and allow the agent to penetrate the lesion. On average, the course of therapy lasts 2-3 weeks.
Drops with terbinafine
These drugs have a clear fungicidal effect. Regular use of drops for 3 months allows you to completely destroy the cell membrane of dermatophytes, yeast and mold. It is recommended to steam the nail and remove the affected area before applying. It is necessary to process the plate and nail roll at least twice a day. By following a full course of all recommendations, the drip manufacturer ensures no recurrences for 2 years.
It should be remembered that the course of treatment for onychomycosis is very long. Therefore, you should be patient and follow all the doctor's recommendations. Also, some experts recommend taking antifungal agents orally (tablets, capsules). This will increase the effect and speed up the healing process. Only an integrated approach will allow the patient to permanently get rid of toenail problems.