The main provocative factor of nail fungus is the infection - the penetration of pathogens into the nail plate. Therefore, in order to overcome the disease, doctors are prescribed various drugs against the fungus on the legs. They are currently on display in the pharmacy chain in a wide range - tablets, sprays, and varnishes and ointments. With a timely and complex effect, the disease can be treated in a short time.
Types of antifungal drugs
Depending on the clinical characteristics of the fungal infection as well as the prevalence of the disease, the specialist will recommend the best therapeutic option.
In the case of onychomycosis, the drugs are selected from the following types:
- Fungicidal - effectively inhibits the activity of most subgroups of fungi.
- Devices belonging to the allylamine subgroup are effective against mold and yeast microorganisms.
- Morpholinone-based formulations - suppress the viability of fungi due to damage to their membrane structure.
- Other drugs: based on undecylenic acid, with essential oils, herbal ingredients.
When choosing a particular antifungal agent, the doctor must consider its price, as therapeutic measures must be performed over a long period of time - sometimes up to six months.
Topical preparations
In order to suppress the fungal flora directly in the nail tissues, experts are considering local antifungal drugs. The pharmaceutical industry produces them in several forms:
- ointments, creams;
- varnishes;
- sprays;
- serums, solutions;
- keratolytic spots.
As a general rule, the listed funds will be effective in the early stages of onychomycosis - in the case of damage to fungal microorganisms, up to 2/3 of the nail area of the nail. In other cases, topical therapy is performed as a complementary measure to combat the disease.
The use of varnishes and antifungal creams has its own peculiarities - to speed up the penetration of the active components of the drug, it is necessary to prepare the fungus inside:
- steaming the affected part of the nail - for example in soda-salt solution under a foot bath;
- removal of the diseased part of the nail - for example with pedicure scissors or a file;
- application of disinfectant solution;
- antifungal medication.
Healthy nails gradually grow back. However, this will require patience.
Systemic drugs
In the case of a massive infection with fungal microorganisms (a major lesion, infection of not only the nails but also other parts of the body with vivid clinical manifestations, the development of complications), doctors resort to systemic drugs. Their goal is to suppress growth as well as the growth of fungal pathogens as much as possible.
Of course, these drugs have their advantages:
- the ability to penetrate deeper into tissues, which deprives them of local funds;
- maintaining the drug concentration at the site of application for a longer period of time - up to several weeks or months;
- less laborious to use, especially in case of multiple fungal foci - it is enough to take tablets 1-2 times a day;
- cost-effectiveness - usually 1 bottle of medicine from the bottle is sufficient during treatment.
Among the shortcomings of antifungal drugs, doctors indicate:
- increased toxicity to the gastrointestinal tract and the patient's whole body;
- unfitness in certain subgroups of patients, such as children, pregnant women, and the elderly;
- some systemic antifungal drugs are only released into the body under steady state conditions.
To reduce the risk of side effects from taking medications, experts prescribe them in short courses — in complex therapy, with topical varnishes or sprays.
List of effective drugs against nail fungus
It is difficult for individuals unfamiliar with the characteristics and mechanisms of the antifungal activity of pharmaceutical drugs to figure out which drugs will have a faster desired therapeutic effect. In the arsenal of the modern mycologist, there are several strong, proven cures for the fungus:
- Antifungal varnishes.
- Fungicides are useful for shallow penetration of the fungus into the nail or for damage to adjacent soft tissues of the fingers.
- Keratolytic agents are an excellent alternative to getting the hardware rid of the fungus on the legs, it is advisable for extensive lesions.
- Systemic antifungals - required for severe nail fungus.
Self-healing of a fungal disease is absolutely unacceptable. The best drug treatment for fungal microorganisms should be selected by a physician. In this case, the treatment will be effective, fast and safe.
Advantages and disadvantages of drugs belonging to the allylamine subgroup
In the pharmacy network, drugs belonging to the allylamine subgroup are presented in different dosage forms:
- cream,
- tablets,
- spray.
The drug is a prominent representative of antifungal drugs belonging to the subgroup of allylamines. Therefore, it has a potent antifungal effect against most fungal microorganisms.
When taken orally, the active ingredient of the drug accumulates rapidly in the tissues. However, the systemic effect may persist for a long time due to the high concentration of the fungicide drug in the nail bed. Thanks to this feature, the treatment time for onychomycosis can be significantly reduced.
Contraindications are indicated in the detailed instructions provided by the manufacturer:
- individual human hyperresponsiveness to major and minor components of the drug;
- infected children - children aged 10-12;
- decompensated disorders of liver cells as well as kidneys.
Extreme caution is prescribed for the treatment of fungi in people prone to allergic conditions. Sometimes there are side effects of the therapy:
- headache;
- dyspeptic disorders;
- joint and muscle pain;
- allergic rashes;
- sleep disorders;
- hair loss.
The cost of the drug depends on the form, region and volume of release of the bottle.
Characteristics of the use of terbinafine-based drugs
Mycologists start antifungal treatment with terbinafine-based drugs because the manufacturer manufactures the drug in a variety of forms - from tablets and solutions to varnishes and sprays. This extends the possibilities of nail fungus release even at an advanced stage in the course of the disease.
With the right choice of antifungal therapy, positive results can be achieved by the end of the second week from the moment the funds are used. Spraying the active ingredient in the form of a spray as well as taking tablets is considered to be a particularly successful combination.
However, the main advantage of the drug against the fungus is a wide range of local forms. So there are varnishes, ointments and sprays on the pharmacy shelf. It is sufficient to apply them accurately to avoid unwanted systemic complications. In this case, the concentration of the active ingredient remains high for a long time. This allows the drug to be used not only for therapeutic but also for preventive purposes - to prevent re-infection of the nail. It is extremely rare for an antifungal medicine to cause:
- rashes;
- increased local burns;
- unpleasant itching after application.
The shape of the tablets, if taken uncontrollably, can cause problems with the immune system, the nervous system, and the digestive and musculoskeletal systems.
Fluconazole-based fungal treatment
The modern, effective agent containing fluconazole is usually introduced into the antifungal therapy system, including nail infections, with enormous changes in fungal microorganisms. It is available in two forms - tablets and capsules.
The manufacturer's instructions for use describe in detail the best system for influencing the fungus for different types of onychomycosis. Because treatment requires the use of long-term tablets, the mycologist individually chooses the frequency of administration and the duration of treatment.
In combination with topical forms of antifungal drugs - varnishes, sprays, drugs belonging to this group in capsules get the necessary therapeutic effect. This speeds up the healing time many times over - your nails will be clean and beautiful.
Contraindications to the drug:
- Children under 12;
- in women, the period of intrauterine use of the fetus;
- breast-feeding;
- severe functional disorders in the structure of the liver as well as renal tubules;
- individual hyperreaction.
The cost depends directly on whether the original active ingredient is used to make the tablets. The price of medicines is quite affordable. While your peers can cause significant property damage.
Alternative remedies for nail fungus
In addition to the antifungal drugs advertised, alternative drugs also cope with the disease. Popular with doctors and patients:
- Antiseptics - have a pronounced antiseptic and bactericidal effect, while such drugs are sufficient once a day for two months;
- Oral refreshing 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 based products - to get rid of nail fungus when used correctly.
The success of the fungicide control depends on the timeliness of the antifungal treatment initiated. Even a single small spot can indicate the penetration of fungal microorganisms into the thickness of the nail plate. They must be treated in a complex way - with the help of tablets, ointments, medicinal varnishes.