In the article, we consider the most effective ointments from nail fungus on the hands.
Peeling of the skin, itching, peeling of the nail plate are typical signs of onychomycosis. This disease is very unpleasant, but is easily treatable. For therapy, a variety of medications are used. In the early stages, ointments from nail fungus on the hands have a good effect. The range of such drugs is quite wide.
Fungus on hand
Onychomycosis is an infectious disease that affects the skin on certain areas of the body (most often the hands) and nail plates. Trichophytons, dermatophytes, mold and yeast-like spores can cause its occurrence. Pathogenic microflora can affect any person, regardless of gender or age. The reproduction of such an infection in the body occurs, as a rule, due to a decrease in immunity, during the use of general hygiene products, household items, with exacerbations of chronic diseases, after visiting public bathing places.
Symptomatology
Symptoms of fungal pathologies usually appear gradually, but the first signs of the disease can be determined by each person. These signs include:
- itching, peeling of the skin and an unpleasant odor;
- discoloration of the nail plates - they turn yellow, turn gray, green or black blotches appear on them;
- nails crumble, exfoliate, change thickness;
- the affected areas of the hands begin to hurt, in some cases, the skin can swell and redden.
Ointments for nail fungus on the hands
If a fungal disease can be diagnosed in the initial stages, getting rid of it well helps funds for local application - ointments, gels, creams, varnishes. Unlike systemic medications, they have a direct effect on the root of the problem: they inhibit the reproduction of spores, kill pathogens in the affected areas. Conventionally, local antifungal drugs (antimycotics) are divided into two categories:
- Azoles, which are derivatives of imidazole and triazole. These pharmacological agents disrupt the production of ergosterol (the protein from which the fungal cell membrane is built), which leads to the destruction of spores. When choosing an ointment for the treatment of these diseases of the hands from this group, you should pay attention to such medicines as Clotrimazole, Miconazole, Fundizol, Bifonazole. What other ointments for nail fungus on the hands are used?
- Allylamines, which are synthetic medical products that have the ability to penetrate and accumulate inside the skin and nail plates, destroying the structure of fungal cells, completely destroying the pathogenic flora and preventing the recurrence of spore reproduction. Allylamines are used if dermatophytes have become the causative agent of the pathological process. The drugs from this group are Exoderil, Lamisil, Irunin, Zalain, Mikoseptin, Naftifin.
You can buy inexpensive ointments for nail fungus on your hands at any pharmacy.
Usage Tips
Each medication for nail fungus has its own annotation from the manufacturer, which indicates how to apply the drug, in what volume and for how long. However, there are general tips on the use of antifungal ointments, which must be taken into account during therapy: an external medication prescribed by a dermatologist is usually applied twice a day to the cleaned surface of the nail plate and surrounding tissues.
In order for the active elements of the medicine to destroy all spores of fungi and penetrate into the nail in the best way, it is recommended to steam the hands before applying the medicine. Warm baths with baking soda, potassium permanganate, iodine, and healing herbs are great for this. After steaming, the nail plate must be cut with manicure scissors or removed with tweezers, and a thin layer of petroleum jelly is applied to the coarsened skin areas. To prevent fungal spores from spreading, not only the affected area is treated, but also healthy tissues.
Processing of clothing and household items
In order to cure onychomycosis once and for all, you need to worry about the processing of clothing, household items. These items are cleaned with special disinfectants, and the floors in the toilet, bathroom and living rooms must be washed daily with chlorine. If within 14 days the external medications did not give the expected results, they are supplemented with systemic drugs in the form of tablets. If the symptoms of mycosis disappear, the same medicine should be used until complete recovery. When using antimycotics of external exposure, it is recommended to prevent the pharmacological agent from getting on the mucous membranes of the eye, mouth and nose.
Inexpensive Means
The range of local antimycotics is wide enough. In addition to modern developments, such ointments from nail fungus on the hands remain very effective today: Terbinafine, Clotrimazole, Butenafine, salicylic, sulfuric and Vishnevsky ointment. They are relatively inexpensive, but show good results in the detection and treatment of mycoses in the early stages of development. When choosing an ointment from a fungus on the hands, you should focus on its composition, the principle of exposure, the recommendations of a specialist and make sure in advance that there are no allergic reactions to active elements.
Clotrimazole
This ointment against nail fungus on the hands represents the azole group of medicines. In small concentrations, this agent slows the spread of fungal infections, and in large concentrations it prevents the growth of fungi, destroys cell membranes. The active element of the ointment is effective against dermatophytes, molds, yeasts, and causative agents of multi-colored lichen. Indications for the administration of this drug are:
- fungus of the skin;
- mycosis of hands, nails, feet, skin folds;
- superficial candidiasis;
- pityriasis versicolor;
- onychomycosis;
- fungal infections complicated by secondary pyoderma.
The ointment is applied externally, applied thinly to the affected areas 2-3 times a day. Before use, the hands are steamed, dried with a towel. The duration of treatment is an average of 4 weeks. Ointment "Clotrimazole" is contraindicated in the first trimester of pregnancy and with individual intolerance to the ingredients from the composition. It is well tolerated, only in rare cases causes allergic skin reactions or provokes the occurrence of erythema.
"Terbinafine"
This medication is produced as an antifungal cream for nails, but it also happens in the form of an ointment. The composition of this Russian-made medical product includes an active component - terbinafine hydrochloride. According to the instructions, this medicine is prescribed externally for the following fungal pathologies:
- trichophytosis;
- microsporia;
- onychomycosis;
- severe dermatomycosis of the skin;
- candidiasis of the mucous membranes and nail plates.
The pharmacological agent is unsafe for use by people with individual intolerance to the components, patients with hepatic-renal failure, pathologies of the blood, heart or blood vessels, metabolic disorders, and also with cancer.
With caution, the ointment from the fungus of the nails on the hands and feet of “Terbinafine” is prescribed in childhood and during pregnancy. The average duration of treatment for onychomycosis is 3-6 months. During therapy, the following side effects may occur: a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen, pain in the epigastric region, loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea, allergic reactions.
Sulfuric ointment
This tool has established itself as the best drug in the fight against fungal diseases of the nails. The ointment has a viscous structure and yellow color. When applied, grains and a specific smell can be felt. The composition of the product is simple: sulfur and emulsion, the main elements of which are water and petroleum jelly. The drug has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, promotes wound healing, destruction of fungi.
In complex therapy, a medication is used to eliminate an infection of a parasitic etiology:
- seborrheic dermatitis;
- psoriasis;
- scabies;
- acne
- mycosis;
- lichen.
Apply ointment from nail fungus on the hands should be on a clean skin with a thin layer. To make active substances penetrate as deep as possible, gloves should be worn after treatment. This remedy is used morning and evening. The list of contraindications is small. These include high sensitivity to sulfur and the age of up to three years. Against the background of mycosis therapy, minor allergic phenomena can rarely occur. With prolonged use, mild dizziness or cephalalgia may occur.
Vishnevsky ointment from nail fungus
This remedy for nail fungus is actively used as one of the most effective ointments. It is recommended to use it at the first signs of onychomycosis. Regular application of the ointment is guaranteed to relieve fungus and inflammation of the skin around the nails. Since only natural substances are present in the composition, the likelihood of allergies is minimized. Vishnevsky ointment consists of oils of natural origin. Tar is a well-known antiseptic that has an extensive spectrum of effects. It heals wounds, eliminates fungus and inflammatory processes, promotes blood flow. Castor oil from the composition of the ointment kills microbes on the surface of the nail plate, and xeroform is used to quickly eliminate fungal infections. It has a disinfecting property. And even used to treat postoperative wounds.
What other ointment against nail fungus on the hands is effective?
Salicylic ointment
It is a drug for external use, consisting of two components - salicylic acid and purified petroleum jelly. In appearance, the mass is oily, uniform, dense, without lumps and impurities, white or grayish in color. The drug has a complex effect, keratolic, antiseptic, antiseborrheic effect is especially pronounced. The proper use of this medication in the treatment of mycosis of the fingernails causes the destruction of the pathogenic flora, stops the inflammatory process, improves the course of skin diseases. To eliminate the fungus of the nail plate, the drug is applied once a day (at night), covering the affected areas with a sterile bandage. Side effects can occur in the form of allergies, irritation.
We examined the most effective ointments for nail fungus on the hands.
Advantages and disadvantages of drugs
The use of external antimycotics has many advantages. First of all, such funds can be used for a long time, which cannot be said about antifungal tablets. Secondly, the active elements are able to penetrate the nail plate, disrupting the synthesis of fungi and preventing their reproduction. Ointments also have a minimum of side effects and contraindications.
At the same time, external medications have certain disadvantages, among which there is a high probability of recurrence of a fungal infection and the inability of such drugs to treat advanced stages of pathology. In order for an external remedy to bring maximum benefit, its choice must be entrusted to professional specialists.
Consider reviews of ointments from nail fungus on the hands.
What do people think?
Fungus of nails on the hands is a fairly common pathological phenomenon, so there are a lot of reviews about antifungal ointments. The most popular medicines for the external treatment of diseases are drugs such as Lamisil, Mikozan, and Exoderil.
According to reviews, effective ointments from nail fungus on the hands act very quickly, compared to the rest, and eliminate unpleasant manifestations already in the second week of application. At the same time, patients noted normalization of the appearance of nails, healing of the skin around them. Side effects from the use of these drugs were not observed.