Nails - fungal infection; Onychomycosis; Infection - fungal - nails; Tinea unguium

Over-the-counter creams and ointments generally do not help treat this condition.

Prescription antifungal medicines taken by mouth may help clear the fungus.

• You will need to take the medicine for about 2 to 3 months for toenails; a shorter time for fingernails
• Fluconazole griseofulvin, terbinafine, and itraconazole are used to treat this condition.
• Your health care provider will do lab tests to check for liver damage while you are taking these medicines.

In some cases, the health care provider may remove the nail. Nails grow slowly. Even if treatment is successful, a new, clearer nail may take up to a year to grow in.

The fungal nail infection is cured by the growth of new, non-infected nails.

Fungal nail infections may be difficult to treat. Medicines clear up fungus in about 50% of patients.

Even with successful treatment, it is common for the fungus to return.

• Fungal infections that return on the nails or in other parts of the body
• Permanent damage to the nails
• Skin infections, including paronychia

Call your health care provider if:

• You experience persistent fungal nail infections
• Your fingers become painful, red, or drain pus

Images

Nail infection, candidal

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Review Date: 10/04/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)