The main provoking factor of nail fungus is infection - the penetration of pathogens into the nail plate. Therefore, in order to defeat the disease, doctors are prescribed various remedies for the fungus on the feet. In the pharmacy chain at the moment they are presented in a wide range: tablets, sprays, paints and ointments. With a timely and complex impact, the disease can be dealt with in a short time.
Types of nail fungus drugs
In direct dependence on the clinical features of the fungal infection, as well as on the prevalence of the disease, the specialist will recommend the best therapeutic option.
With onychomycosis, drugs are chosen from the following types:
- With a fungicidal effect - effectively inhibits the activity of most subgroups of fungi.
- Means of the allylamine subgroup are effective against molds and yeast microorganisms.
- Preparations based on morpholine - suppress the viability of mushrooms due to a violation in the structure of their membrane.
- Other medicines: based on undecylenic acid, with essential oils, with vegetable ingredients.
When choosing a particular antifungal agent, the doctor must take into account its price, since therapeutic measures will have to be carried out for a long time, sometimes up to six months or more.
Topical preparations
In order to suppress the fungal flora directly in the nail tissues, experts are considering drugs with local antifungal action. The pharmaceutical industry produces them in different forms:
- ointments, creams;
- paints;
- spray;
- serums, solutions;
- keratolytic patches.
As a rule, the listed funds will be effective at the initial stage of onychomycosis - in case of damage from fungal microorganisms no more than 2/3 of the nail area on 1-2 toes. In other cases, local therapy is carried out as an additional measure to combat the disease.
The use of antifungal paints and creams has its own characteristics: to accelerate the penetration of the active components of the medicine from the fungus inside, preliminary preparation is required:
- steaming the affected part of the nail, for example in a sodium salt solution during a foot bath;
- removal of the diseased part of the nail, for example, with pedicure scissors or with a file;
- apply a disinfectant solution;
- treatment with antifungal drugs.
A healthy nail will gradually grow back. However, this will require patience.
Systemic drugs
In case of massive infection with fungal microorganisms (a large area of the lesion, infection not only of the nails, but also of other parts of the body with vivid clinical manifestations, the formation of complications), doctors resort to systemic drugs. Their goal is to suppress as much as possible the growth, as well as the reproduction of pathogens of the fungus.
Of course, these drugs have their advantages:
- the ability to penetrate deeper into the tissues, of which local funds are deprived;
- preservation of the concentration of the drug in the places of application for a longer period - up to several weeks, even months;
- less laboriousness of use, especially with several fungal foci: it is enough to take tablets 1-2 times a day;
- cost-effectiveness: as a rule, 1 bottle of the drug from the fungus is enough for the course of treatment.
Among the shortcomings of antifungal drugs, doctors indicate:
- increased toxicity to the digestive system and the patient's body as a whole;
- the inability to use in some subgroups of patients, for example, in children, pregnant women and the elderly;
- some systemic antifungal drugs are reduced to be introduced into the body only in stationary conditions.
To reduce the risk of side effects from taking drugs, experts prescribe them in short courses, in complex therapy, along with local paints or sprays.
List of effective drugs for toenail fungus
It is difficult for a person who is ignorant of 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 a modern mycologist, there are many powerful and proven remedies for fungi:
- Antifungal paints.
- Fungicidal creams are recommended for superficial penetration of the fungus into the nail or for damage to the adjacent soft tissues of the fingers.
- Keratolytic agents are an excellent alternative to hardware to eliminate fungus on the feet, they are recommended for extensive lesions.
- Systemic antifungals - needed for severe nail fungus.
Self-medication of a fungal disease is absolutely unacceptable. The best drug regimens for fungal microorganisms should be selected by a doctor. In this case the treatment will be effective, fast and safe.
Advantages and disadvantages of drugs of the allylamine subgroup
In the pharmacy network, drugs of the allylamine subgroup are presented in different dosage forms:
- cream,
- pills,
- spray.
The drug is an important representative of antifungal drugs of the subgroup of allylamines. Therefore, it is inherent to have a powerful antifungal effect against most fungal microorganisms.
When taken orally, the active component of the drug rapidly accumulates in the tissues. At the same time, the systemic effect can persist for a long time due to the high concentration of the fungicidal drug in the nail bed. Thanks to this feature, the treatment time for onychomycosis can be significantly reduced.
Contraindications are indicated 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 and kidney cells.
With extreme caution, a remedy for the fungus is prescribed to people prone to allergic conditions. Sometimes, against the background of therapy, undesirable effects are formed:
- headache;
- dyspeptic disorders;
- joint and muscle pain;
- allergic rashes;
- sleep disorders;
- hair loss.
The cost of the medicine will depend on the form of release, the region, the volume of the bottle.
Features of the use of terbinafine-based drugs
Mycologists begin antifungal treatment with terbinafine-based drugs, as the manufacturer produces the drug in different forms: from tablets and solutions to paints and sprays. This expands the chances of getting rid of nail fungus even in the advanced stage of the course of the disease.
With the correct selection of the antifungal therapy regimen, positive results are noticeable by the end of the second week from the moment these funds are used. Spraying the active ingredient in the form of a spray and taking tablets is considered a particularly effective combination.
However, the main advantage of the drug against the fungus is a wide range of local forms. So on the pharmacy shelf there are paints, ointments and sprays. It is enough to apply them in a timely manner, which avoids unwanted systemic complications. In this case, the concentration of the active ingredient remains high for a long time. This allows you to use the drug not only for therapeutic purposes, but also for prophylactic purposes, to prevent reinfection of the nails. It is extremely rare that a medicine for a fungus can cause:
- skin rashes;
- increased local combustion;
- unpleasant itching after application.
The form of the tablets, if taken uncontrollably, can cause disturbances in the functioning of the immune, nervous, as well as digestive and musculoskeletal systems.
Fluconazole-based fungus treatment
A powerful modern agent, which contains fluconazole, as a rule, is introduced into the regimen of antifungal therapy, even in case of toenail infection, with massive lesions from fungal microorganisms. Available in two forms: tablets and capsules.
The manufacturer's instructions for use details the best scheme for affecting the fungus for different types of onychomycosis. Since the treatment will require long-term use of tablets, the mycologist selects the frequency of administration and the duration of therapy on an individual basis.
In combination with local forms of antifungal drugs - paints, sprays, drugs of this group in capsules will have the required therapeutic effect. This speeds up the recovery time many times - the nails become clean and beautiful.
Contraindications to the drug:
- children under 12 years of age;
- in women - the period of intrauterine bearing of the fetus;
- feeding time;
- severe functional disorders in the structure of the liver, as well as the renal tubules;
- individual hyperreaction.
The cost directly depends on whether the original active ingredient is used for the manufacture of tablets. The drugs are quite affordable in terms of price. Whereas its counterparts can cause significant financial damage.
Alternative remedies for nail fungus
In addition to the advertised antifungal drugs, alternative drugs will cope with the disease. Appreciated by doctors and patients are:
- Antiseptics - have a pronounced disinfectant and bactericidal effect, while such drugs are enough to apply once a day for two months;
- Oral deodorant with menthol - 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 products - to eliminate nail fungus when used correctly.
Success in the fight against toenail fungus largely depends on the timeliness of the antifungal treatment started. Even a single 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 compresses, ointments, medicinal paints.