Traditional management of onychomycosis

Abstract

The traditional management of onychomycosis includes mechanical, chemical, and surgical approaches, as well as topical and oral antifungal medications. Topical preparations have been consistently disappointing, and the tendency in later years has been to rely on two systemic agents—griseofulvin and ketoconazole—for management of more severe or recalcitrant infections. However, both drugs require a long duration of therapy (4 to 6 months for fingernails, 10 to 18 months for toenails). Even with such prolonged treatment, the overall success rate is only about 15% to 30% for toenail infections and 50% to 70% for fingernail infections. Furthermore, both griseofulvin and ketoconazole have numerous potential side effects and drug/drug interactions. Therefore, laboratory monitoring should be performed during the course of treatment with these agents and they should be used only after evaluation of the patient's current medical status and a review of concomitant medications.