Related Experiment Videos
Diagnosing and treating onychomycosis
1Greater Miami Skin and Laser Center, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, Florida 33140, USA.
The Journal of Family Practice
|May 1, 1996
Summary
Onychomycosis, a common nail fungal infection, affects quality of life. Newer oral antifungals like terbinafine offer higher cure rates and shorter treatment durations compared to older medications.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Mycology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Onychomycosis is a prevalent fungal nail infection impacting patient quality of life.
- It affects up to 30% of individuals by age 60, primarily caused by dermatophytes.
- Differential diagnosis is crucial as other conditions like psoriasis can mimic onychomycosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the management of onychomycosis.
- To compare traditional treatments with newer oral antifungal agents.
- To highlight the efficacy of oral terbinafine.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on onychomycosis treatments.
- Analysis of pharmacologic properties and clinical outcomes of antifungal drugs.
- Emphasis on diagnostic confirmation through potassium hydroxide (KOH) slide preparation and culture.
Main Results:
- Traditional treatments, like griseofulvin, have suboptimal cure rates and long treatment durations.
- Newer agents, including oral itraconazole and terbinafine, demonstrate improved efficacy and shorter treatment periods.
- Oral terbinafine shows potent fungicidal activity against dermatophytes, with effective regimens as short as 12 weeks.
Conclusions:
- Accurate diagnosis is essential for effective onychomycosis management.
- Oral terbinafine represents a significant advancement in treating onychomycosis, offering higher cure rates and reduced treatment time.
- The shift towards more potent and targeted antifungal therapies improves patient outcomes and quality of life.