Premium
Onychomycosis: diagnosis and topical therapy
Author(s) -
Fleckman Philip
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
dermatologic therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.595
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1529-8019
pISSN - 1396-0296
DOI - 10.1046/j.1529-8019.2002.01524.x
Subject(s) - medicine , clearance , dermatology , systemic therapy , nail (fastener) , nail plate , intensive care medicine , nail disease , paronychia , cancer , breast cancer , metallurgy , urology , materials science
Onychomycosis (true fungal infection of the nail plate) is a common malady that may present in several clinical patterns. Because many noninfectious disorders of the nail may masquerade as onychomycosis, the clinical diagnosis must be confirmed by wet mount (potassium hydroxide [KOH] examination), culture, or histology before treatment is begun. Although systemic therapy of onychomycosis with the newer drugs is more effective, the prospect of effective topical therapy is a welcome alternative in many situations. Choices for topical therapy are limited in the United States at this time. As new, improved choices are added to the therapeutic armamentarium, topical therapy my supersede systemic. In addition, the potential for synergism with systemic therapy and for prophylaxis of cleared infections is only now being explored.