Onychomycosis is a fairly common and widespread disease. Nail fungus mainly develops on the feet. Wearing tight, warm, wet shoes creates the most favorable environment for the development of pathogenic microorganisms. And increased sweating only increases the risk of onychomycosis. Indeed, for any type of fungus, favorable conditions are a warm and humid environment. Onychomycosis requires mandatory treatment. After all, in the absence of adequate therapy, the fungus penetrates the general bloodstream and spreads throughout the body. In this case, serious long-term systemic treatment will be required. Creams, ointments, varnishes, sprays and drops are used for local treatment. Drops are very popular lately.
When to use nail fungus drops?
In order for the treatment to be fast and successful, it is very important to contact a doctor in time for help. Nail fungus heals quickly in the initial phase. The causes of onychomycosis are completely different. The most common are yeast, mold, dermatophytes. The doctor can identify the genus of the fungus only after a laboratory scraping study taken from the affected area of the nail.
Nail fungus drops on the feet are very effective in treating the initial stage of onychomycosis. In the same case, the use of antifungal drugs from the inside in the form of tablets, capsules, powders is not necessary. Doctors prefer drops against onychomycosis because of their fungicidal and fungistatic properties. In the first case, the elimination of the fungus itself and the affected cells is noticed. The fungistatic property is the ability of the drug to prevent the spread of the fungus.
Modern drops combine these two main properties. This is the key to successful therapy. The doctor only needs to choose the most effective drops for a specific case of fungal nail infection on the feet. After all, each drug has different active ingredients that affect certain types of fungi. In general, the use of drops from fungal infections on the nails is necessary in such cases:
- Deformation of the nail plate;
- Nail discoloration;
- Thickening of the nail plate;
- Stink;
- Delamination, peeling, crumbling nails;
- Appearance of stains or streaks on the surface of the plate.
Contraindications to use
Nail fungus drops have a number of contraindications. And before using any antifungal agents, you must carefully study this list. If you do not pay attention to such precautions, various side effects can occur. These can be either the simplest headaches, abdominal pain or difficulty breathing, anaphylactic shock, Quincke's edema, cardiac arrest.
The main contraindications to the use of drops from toenail fungus are the following factors:
- Pregnancy period;
- lactation period;
- Age of children up to 12 years;
- Individual intolerance to certain components of the drug;
- Presence of open wounds, bleeding;
- Allergic reactions to the drug.
Many medicines and drops against nail fungus are acceptable for use in pregnant women. But, still, in the period of giving birth to a baby, it is better to avoid the use of medications. Of course, if the fungus on the nails does not endanger the health of future mothers and babies. In that case, the doctor may allow the use of some antifungal agents.
Modern drops against onychomycosis have a minimal number of contraindications. But still, it is not worth prescribing any medication for yourself. Only a doctor will be able to advise special drops suitable for the treatment of certain types of fungi. The tablets also have a wide range of contraindications and side effects. Complex treatment should be completely controlled by a physician. If the patient notices unusual redness, itching, burning during the treatment period, the therapy should be stopped. It may be worth replacing the drug or using other forms - gel, cream, ointment.
Popular drops of fungus on the nails
Today there are a large number of antifungal agents. You can use drops, varnishes, patches, sprays, creams, ointments, powders, tablets for nail treatment. Drops differ in speed and high efficiency. They are easy to use, quickly absorbed, which does not disturb the patient's usual rhythm of life. The drops not only kill the fungus, but also prevent the recurrence of mycosis. Drops can only be used outside. The active ingredient penetrates deep into the nail, concentrates in sufficient quantities and manifests its therapeutic effect. The following tools are the most popular and effective.
Naftifine hydrochloride based drops
The active substance of these drops is naftifine hydrochloride. Drops work great for fungal infections not only on the nails, but also on the skin of the feet, hands, in the area between the toes. Often, experts prescribe a remedy to combat lichens and other skin diseases. In order to achieve the maximum and fastest effect, the nail plate must be cut off (as much as possible) and cleaned before application. Only after that drops are applied to the surface of the nail plate. It is also important to treat the skin along the nail. The tool is gently rubbed into the damaged areas. It is enough to perform such manipulations only once a day. The duration of therapy is prescribed only by a doctor. On average, the course lasts from 2 to 5 weeks. Even with the disappearance of symptoms, it is important to complete the entire course.
Cyclopirox-based toenail fungus drops
These drops effectively fight against yeast and mold fungi. It is these types of microorganisms that most often affect the nail plates on the feet and hands. They also show a therapeutic effect against some gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Doctors recommend the use of this drug in the initial stages of the development of onychomycosis, when more than half of the nail plate is damaged. The maximum amount of diseased nail is applied before application. The remaining nail must be brought to a rough state with a nail file. Only now can you apply the drops. This will allow the active component to penetrate deep into the nail bed and quickly reduce the fungus population. You need to cover your nails twice a day, 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 actions. Thus, drops are used to treat such diseases:
- Microsporia;
- Trichophytosis;
- nail candidiasis;
- Lichen;
- Rubrophytia;
- diaper rash;
- Increased sweating.
The product is applied to the entire surface of the nail, nail roller. In this case, the product is rubbed with light movements. To achieve a quick effect, it is better to apply the drug twice a day. Before each application, it is worth to evaporate the toenail, remove spore particles. This will help get rid of the softened plaque 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 pronounced fungicidal effect. Regular use of drops for 3 months allows you to completely destroy the cell membrane of dermatophytes, yeast and mold. Before starting the application, it is recommended to steam the nail and remove the affected area. The nail plate and roller should be treated at least twice a day. In accordance with all recommendations, after passing the full course, the manufacturer of drops guarantees the absence of recurrence within 2 years.
It is worth remembering that the course of treatment of onychomycosis is quite long. Therefore, you must be patient and follow all the doctor's recommendations. Also, some experts recommend taking antifungal agents by mouth (tablets, capsules). This will enhance the effect, speed up the healing process. Only an integrated approach will allow the patient to permanently solve toenail problems.