Why Is Treating Nail Fungus So Difficult?
Onychomycosis or nail fungus is estimated to affect between 5 and 10% of the population at any one time. The early signs of an infection are a yellowish discoloration of the nail (normally at the tip of the nail or along the nail edge), changes in texture and thickening. As the disease progresses, the nail distorts and begins to detach from the nail bed.
Unfortunately nail fungus is very difficult to treat. This is partly due to the fact that the fungus is embedded deeply within the nail making it hard to bring an antifungal drug into direct contact with the fungus to destroy it. Second, nails grow very slowly and a suffered can only be considered complexly treated once a healthy nail has grown out. For fingernails this takes around 6 months, but for toenails it can take as long as 18 months for a full nail cycle to grow out.
Most sufferers treat nail fungus infection using topical nail lacquers and creams containing antifungal drugs. Systemic oral medications are available but have been associated with serous side effects. Consistent, regular therapy is needed over a long period of month and many people find it hard to stick to treatments.
Nail fungus infections do not resolve spontaneously. It is a progressive disorder so treatment is the only sensible strategy. Here are some tips on how best to apply a nail lacquer such as Loceryl (amorolfine) or Penlac (Ciclopirox). Please treat the below as a basic guide and ensure that you follow the detailed instructions that come with the medication.
- The nail should be completely dry and clean before application.
- Run a nail file horizontally over the surface of the nail. This should assist the treatment to penetrate.
- Apply the nail lacquer over the entire nail.
- Wait 30 seconds to a minute for the application to dry.
- Wait several hours after application before washing or showering (applying the treatment at bedtime is a good idea).
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