What is the best antifungal for onychomycosis?
Systemic antifungal agents are the most effective treatment for onychomycosis, but cure rates are much less than 100%. Terbinafine (Lamisil) is the most effective systemic agent available.
How is onychomycosis spread?
How Can Someone Get an Infection? Onychomycosis is contagious. It is transmitted by direct contact or contact with contaminated materials such as shoes, socks, or walking barefoot over surfaces with a high density of fungal or yeast spores. Although it is not a hereditary condition, not everyone is equally susceptible.
Is onychomycosis a skin disease?
The fungus that causes onychomycosis may be of several types, including yeasts, dermatophytes or molds. In almost all the cases, onychomycosis is caused by dermatophytes, which affect not only the nails but also the skin and the hair, that are tissues containing keratin.
What is the latest treatment for toenail fungus?
Options include terbinafine (Lamisil) and itraconazole (Sporanox). These drugs help a new nail grow free of infection, slowly replacing the infected part. You typically take this type of drug for six to 12 weeks. But you won’t see the end result of treatment until the nail grows back completely.
How long does onychomycosis take to heal?
Results of treatment It can take between 6 and 18 months for the appearance of the affected nail to return to normal, and in some cases the nail may not look the same as before the infection.
Is onychomycosis life threatening?
Although not life-threatening, onychomycosis (a fungal infection of the nail, usually caused by a dermatophyte) constitutes an important public health problem because of its high prevalence (about 10% of the U.S. population) and associated morbidity.
What causes onychomycosis?
Onychomycosis is caused by 3 main classes of fungi: dermatophytes, yeasts, and nondermatophyte molds. Dermatophytes are by far the most common cause of onychomycosis. Two major pathogens are responsible for approximately 90% of all onychomycosis cases.