Toenail onychomycosis: Current and future treatment options

Justin J. Finch, Erin M. Warshaw

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

123 Scopus citations

Abstract

Onychomycosis is a common disease affecting as much as 8% of the general population. Treatment of onychomycosis is challenging, complicated by low cure rates and relatively high relapse rates. This paper reviews the efficacy of current oral, topical, and surgical treatment options. Currently, the treatment of choice for toenail onychomycosis is oral terbinafine because of its high efficacy, low relapse rates, and cost-effectiveness. Oral itraconazole or fluconazole could be considered for infections caused by Candida. Topical therapies may be a useful adjunct to these systemic therapies, but are less effective when used alone. More research is needed to determine the best measures for preventing reinfection.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)31-46
Number of pages16
JournalDermatologic therapy
Volume20
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2007

Keywords

  • Fungus
  • Nail
  • Onychomycosis
  • Therapy

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