Onychomycosis

Question: Does Lamisil work well for onychomycosis? I have read some other answers regarding onychomycosis on your toenails but I have it on all 10 fingers. I am going to go to the doctor tomorrow but I was just wondering if anyone has experienced this before? I have researched different types of nail fungus and I recognized that it is onychomycosis. Any info would be helpful. Thanks.

Answer: Lamisil is active against most strains of causing Onychomycosis of the toenail or fingernail: Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton rubrum. It may be effective for infections of Microsporum gypseum and M. nanum, Trichophyton verrucosum, Epidermophyton floccosum, Candida albicans, and Scopulariopsis brevicaulis. Dosing - Fingernail: 250 mg/day for up to 6 weeks; toenail: 250 mg/day for 12 weeks; doses may be given in two divided doses Contraindications - Not recommended for use in patients with pre-existing liver or renal disease Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for more information

Question: I have a toenail fungus (onychomycosis) - how can I get rid of it? I've had this for years on one of my big toes. It seems pretty mild as it doesn't cause any discomfort and hasn't spread, it just makes my toenail look white. However it started after I injured that toe - I dropped something heavy on it and it was bruised/bleeding underneath, I guess that's when the fungus invaded. I've recently injured the big toe on my other foot (out mountaineering) and am worried I'll get the fungus on that toe as well so I've decided to take measures to finally get rid of it! What can I do? I did go to the doctors once and got tablets that I took for 3 months that had no effect. The doctor was reluctant to give me more due to their potential adverse effects. I've seen other treatments - home remedies, creams, etc., but what is most effective? I had a look in my chemist and couldn't see anything. I've seen some stuff online but don't want to fork out money over the 'net for something that may not work. Any advice?

Answer: Check out the link below. Don't forget to consider what the cause might be - have your blood sugar levels checked... The incidence of onychomycosis has been increasing and is related to diabetes, a suppressed immune system, and increasing age.

Question: What is the best treatment for onychomycosis? I have been afflicted for over three decades and 13 out of 20 nailbeds have been affected

Answer: Treatments are usually commenced after laboratory confirmation of fungal invasion based on microscopic examination and culture of nail scrapings or clippings. Systemic antifungal medications such as terbinafine and itraconazole have been shown to be effective in treating it, as have some topical nail paints, such as one containing ciclopirox. A small study in Family Practice News showed that ciclopirox nail paint was more effective when combined with topical urea cream. Another medicinal lacquer, NM100060 from NexMed, has successfully completed a Phase I clinical trial in the United States; treatment contains terbinafine as the active ingredient and the trial involved comparison to Lamisil creme.[1] As with many diseases, there are also some scientifically unverified folk or alternative medicine remedies. One of these is to apply two drops of distilled white vinegar into the cuticle, twice a day until the fungus is gone. This method does not kill the fungus, but the vinegar allegedly changes the pH (acid content) of the new nail formed in that twelve-hour period. (The scientific perspective, however, is that vinegar is unlikely to penetrate the dense keratinous tissue thoroughly enough to have any significant effect. Instead, it may be absorbed by the skin above the nail and work its way to where the nail is actually forming.) As the old, infected nail grows and is cut away, it is said to be replaced by an acidic nail, uninhabitable by fungi. Several months of consistent application are involved. Other scientifically unverified treatments include the application of tea tree oil or diluted grapefruit seed extract. Although GSE is promoted as a natural remedy, studies have concluded that the universal antimicrobial effect is merely due to synthetic preservatives

Question: What are good OTC treatments for Onychomycosis (toe fungus)? I'm looking for stuff I can get over the counter to treat a fungal infection underneath the toenail, but so far all I've found online is stuff for general foot fungus, prescriptions, and stuff you can only order online/by phone. I'll take anything topical or oral, but don't know what to look for. Especially looking for anythign carried by Walgreens, but will also try homeopathic remedies!

Answer: As far as I know, the only way to treat nail bed fungal infection (onychomycosis) is with a systemic antigungal preparation such as Diflucan. No topical product will affect it and no homeopathic product will either. It must be treated from the inside out with this prescription oral med.

Question: Which Doctor treats Onychomycosis and /or fungal nail diseases in general? i need to know the name of the specialist.

Answer: Dermatologist (Skin specialist)

Question: ciclopirox (Penlac) is an antifungal used to treat onychomycosis,a type of nail fungus.? the direction say to apply the lacquer to each nail daily. will the ciclopirox have a local or system effect? why?

Answer: After you apply the lacquer to your skin, the ciclopirox will penetrate through the epidermis (outer layer of your skin, made up in most areas of the body of 5 layers) into the dermis. Even under occlusion (which increases absorption), less than 1.5% of the ciclopirox is absorbed into the systemic circulation. Ciclopirox has a short half-life (1.7 hours), so no systemic accumulation occurs and therefore no systemic effect will occur. To answer your question in a more succinct manner - there is only a small amount of absorption into the systemic circulation (<1.5%) due to the protective function of the skin and the properties of the drug.

Question: How to treat Onychomycosis? Hi my mom is having this disease of the nail Onychomycosis, her finger name is flaking and her skin surrounding her nail is also flaking and. is there any advice on what to apply? thanks

Answer: Onychomycosis is the medical term for fungal nail infection. The most effective treatment for this are the oral medications which, because of their serious potential risks, can only be prescribed by a physician after evaluating your medical history. There are also topical antifungals, such as Lamisil, that can be applied directly over the nail and skin although these may not be as effective as oral meds.

Question: Does anyone know a cure for onychomycosis? Other than Lamisil.

Answer: penlac, fungoid tincture, gris peg, tea tree oil,

Question: Who to see for Onychomycosis? Which specialist should I meet to treat Onychomycosis? finger nail problem thanks

Answer: You do not need to see a Specialist for this whatsoever. Just your regular Family Doc. You could or might end up paying more to see a specialist and this is such a common problem..all you need is anti-fungus medication..which by the way is a Long course of treatment. It can take 6-9 months to get rid of it. Geez I have it too.

Question: what is the treatment of onychomycosis (trichophyton mentagrophyte)?

Answer: Onychomycosis (OM) is one of the fungal diseases that results from a dermatophytic invasion of the nails. Fortunately, in the last few years, new oral treatment has successfully lowered the incidence of recurrence and side effects......It is characterized by discoloration and thickening of the nail, and thus, the nails are often thick, yellow, or brittle. OM can cause pain and discomfort, but it is mainly a receptacle for infection (Mooney, 1993). OM includes a subgroup of nail infections with dermatophytic fungi known as tinea unguium. The three clinial types of tinea unguium are: distal subungual OM, proximal subungual OM, and superficial white OM..............Fungi can always develop again due to the poor hygiene to the area. After a successful treatment, the prognosis is that OM can either be recurrent or at a controlled state. Once the body has been infected by the fungi, it is most likely to occur again if not taken proper care of.............To stop the growth of OM, treatment is required over many months. A full treatment plan should be given to the patient, in all forms, to maximize the full potential of each drug. The affected nails should be thin as possible, and oral treatment should be used to end OM. Three drugs are now widely used in the prevention and curing of OM: Fluconazole, Itraconazole, and Terbinafine.............I hope this could satisfy u..If U are happy with my knowledge...then grant me 10 points....

Question: Do YOU know a good herbalist or doctor that deals with alternative medicine in the Chicago area? I would like to know - from a doctor's personal observation - what can help me with various ailments, such as IBS and onychomycosis.

Answer: Since you haven't gotten a real answer yet, I'll toss in my 2 cents. If you aren't able to find one in your local phone book, you could certainly check in places around town that deal with natural health... health food stores, Chiropractors, Acupuncturists, Acupressurists, etc. If they don't know what can help you specifically, they may be able to recommend a natural doctor that does. Good luck and I hope I helped!

Question: I'm having onychomycosis and after 1 cycle of Sporanox it didn't go. Why? i have sweaty palms. Is it related to the condition?

Answer: The treatment is to be continued till the nails grow up healthy from roots and it may take up to 6 months.The execessive sweating could be due to calcium deficiency.

Question: treatment of DOS (distal subungual onychomycosis)? i have a mild case of DOS, and im wondering if there are any treatments for it. I have gone to the doctor, and he didnt know what it was, so i found it myself. anyways, i might not go to the doctor for awhile, so is there any way i can treat this with over the counter medications? or should i just wait to go to the doctor? i really dont want to wait because i dont want it to get worse, but can anyone help?? THANKS! :)

Answer: No over the counter meds to treat DOS. http://www.aafp.org/afp/2001/0215/p663.html Maybe try a new doc or let your current one know you want to be tested for DOS (Psoriasis, lichen planus, contact dermatitis, trauma, nail bed tumor and yellow nail syndrome may be mistakenly diagnosed as onychomycosis)

Question: i have onychomycosis of the toenails.Should I wear safety boots?

Answer: safety boots and safety socks. By all means. I am wearing a safety t-shirt.

Question: Onychomycosis (toenail fungus)? I had toenail fungus on both my big toes. Most of the fungus is gone from underneath, but my nails are still super thick and cracked looking. How do i get rid of the thickness? Thank you

Answer: You can probably go to one of those nail places and have them use a tool they have. It's sort of a grinder. If that freaks you out I imagine you could buy one at a beauty supply place. Your first poster is correct in that your new nails should grow in healthy. If that doesn't happen ... if when your new nails begin to grow in and they're thick and/or discolored you probably haven't gotten rid of all the fungus. Best of luck to you. This is a tough disease to fight.

Question: how do you cure onychomycosis,?

Answer: There are oral anti-fungals (such as Lamisil and Sporanox) that can be prescribed to treat this. There are some topical anti-fungals (such as Penlac), but they do not work as well and can cause irritation around the nail beds. It takes a while to see effects (3 months or more) because nails grow fairly slowly. It can take up to a year (or even more in some people) for it to clear out completely. Talk to a podiatrist.

Question: what is onychomycosis?

Answer: Onychomycosis is a fungal infection that causes fingernails or toenails to thicken, discolor, disfigure, and split. If the problem is caused by a bacterium, the condition is called paronychia. The nails of people with onychomycosis are initially a cosmetic concern. Without treatment, however, the nails can become so thick that they press against the inside of the shoes, causing pressure, irritation, and pain.

Question: What is happening to his nails? My 17 month old son has a toe nail (big toe) and a finger nail that is split vertically and lifting the nail now, with color changing underneath. It does not hurt him, but the finger nail one has partially come off. The doctor says it is okay, but now it seems worse. What could this be? Onychomycosis, fungal paranychia, splinter haemorkages? Please help.

Answer: I don´t know what it is but is not okay. I suggest you to go with a dermatologist He/ she will give you an answer and a treatment, of course.

Question: "Onychomycosis" Fungal Q?? Med experts please.? My mum who is 65 has been to the Dr who has taken culture sample of her toe nails for the above mentioned. The thing that worries me is that it is effecting ONLY her "big" toe nails which are brown and very discoloured (one more so than the other). None of her other nails seem to be effected. I have looked on the net and treatment seems either useless or very very expensive. Can any1 with medical exp please help explain to me why this may have occured? so we can perhaps stop this from spreading in the future. Thank you!

Answer: Onychomycosis means fungal infection of the nails. It represents up to 20% of all nail disorders. This condition may affect toe- or fingernails, but toenail infections are particularly common. The prevalence of onychomycosis is about 6-8% in the adult population.[1] The most common type of onychomycosis (80-90%), caused by dermatophytes, is technically known as tinea unguium (tinea of the nails) Dermatophytes are the fungi most commonly responsible for onychomycosis. Two dermatophyte species, Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton interdigitale, cause the vast majority of onychomycosis cases worldwide. Other related dermatophyte fungi that may be involved are Epidermophyton floccosum, Trichophyton violaceum, Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton tonsurans, Trichophyton soudanense (considered by some to be an African variant of T. rubrum rather than a full-fledged separate species) and the cattle ringworm fungus Trichophyton verrucosum. A common outdated name that may still be reported by medical laboratories is Trichophyton mentagrophytes for T. interdigitale. The name T. mentagrophytes is now restricted to the agent of favus skin infection of the mouse; though this fungus may be transmitted from mice and their danders to humans, it generally infects skin and not nails. Other causal fungi include yeasts (5-17%), e.g., Candida, and non-dermatophytic moulds, in particular members of the mould genera Scytalidium (name recently changed to Neoscytalidium), Scopulariopsis, and Aspergillus. Onychomycosis due to Trychophyton rubrum, right and left great toe.Yeasts mainly cause fingernail onychomycosis in people whose hands are often submerged in water. Scytalidium mainly affects people in the tropics, though it persists if they later move to areas of temperate climate. Other moulds mainly affect people over the age of 60, and their presence in the nail reflects a slight weakening in the nail's ability to defend itself against fungal invasion. Treatments are usually commenced after laboratory confirmation of fungal invasion based on microscopic examination and culture of nail scrapings or clippings. Systemic antifungal medications such as terbinafine and itraconazole have been shown to be effective in treating it, as have some topical nail paints, such as one containing ciclopirox Natural Remedies: As with many diseases, there are also some scientifically unverified folk or alternative medicine remedies. Tea tree oil is a known antifungal. The topical application of high levels is a verified remedy for some dermatophytic skin infections although not for onychomycosis, where the fungus is often too deeply nested in dense subsurface nail tissue to be full expunged by topically applied materials of any kind. Grapefruit seed extract as a natural antimicrobial is not demonstrated. Its effectiveness is scientifically unverified. Multiple studies indicate that the universal antimicrobial activity is due to contamination with synthetic preservatives that were unlikely to be made from the seeds of the grapefruit Distilled white vinegar[citation needed]. Drops are applied to the cuticle twice a day. This method does not kill the fungus, but the vinegar allegedly changes the pH (acid content) of the new nail formed in that 12-hour period. (The scientific perspective, however, is that vinegar is unlikely to penetrate the dense keratinous tissue thoroughly enough to have any significant effect. Instead, it may be absorbed by the skin above the nail and work its way to where the nail is actually forming.) As the old, infected nail grows and is cut away, it is said to be replaced by an acidic nail, uninhabitable by fungi. Several months of consistent application are involved.

Question: White line disease (Onychomycosis)? I have a pony that has it in one hoof, the farrier has checked it and given advise on how to treat it. Just wondering has anyone had a horse with white line disease and how did you treat it? Thank you for any information She's currently in on a straw bed, she was out up until october and the fields are very muddy at the moment so i don't know if that might be a factor, we're also cleaning it daily and have a poultice on her hoof as well We'll be calling out the vet anyway, just wanted some opinions on treatments. As i said previously, we will be calling the vet anyway, most likely tomorrow. The farrier has shod the pony for years and she has always been sound up until now. I am aware that people on the net may not necessarily help but i just wanted to hear from people who have/had a horse with white line disease.

Answer: One of my mares had white line disease 2 years ago. We had to cut off half of her outer hoof wall and drill holes in the parts we left on. Using a syringe, twice a day we would shoot iodine and bleach(mixed with water) through the holes and where we cut off the wall. It took 8 months to heal and another 2 months to get her back into being able to be ridden. She is fully recovered now and she is jumping and eventing successfully. Now she is one of my best riding horses! My mare had a severe case, so I don't know if you will have to be so drastic as to cut off the hoof wall or anything like that, but I would definitely try iodine or bleach mixed with water. It is a hard disease to treat and very time consuming. But if you are patient, it can turn out ok! I hope I helped :) Good luck!!!! :)