New insides in onychomycosis therapy
Keywords:
energy-based devices, onychomycosis, systemic treatment, topical therapyAbstract
Abstract. Onychomycosis is a widespread fungal infection, affecting approximately 10% of adults in industrialized nations. Beyond cosmetic issues, it can cause discomfort and may lead to serious complications like secondary bacterial infections and traumatic ulcers. In vulnerable groups, such as individuals with diabetes, these complications can sometimes result in partial or total loss of the lower limb. Therefore, timely effective, affordable, and safe treatment for onychomycosis is required. Currently, topical and oral antifungal drugs are available in clinical practice. Unfortunately, they are applied for a long period of time (6-9-12 months), which depends on the growth of the nail plate. Antimycotics are often hepatotoxic and also show interactions with other drugs with undesirable results. In recent years, protocols using energy-based devices have been actively developed. The reason for this is their widespread use and availability in dermatology clinics, shorter and fewer visits for procedures, as well as the lack of systemic side effects. This review aims to present and critically evaluate current therapeutic approaches to onychomycosis – systemic, topical, and energy-based – emphasizing their efficacy, safety, and emerging clinical trends.
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