Suggest Treatment For Onychomycosis

Posted on Wed, 29 Mar 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 29 Mar 2017 Answered on

Thu, 20 Apr 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello, I've had a chronic issue regarding my nail beds, it started with one but now it's three, i'm not sure if it's a fungal issue, two out the three fingers look somewhat bruised; two of them we're initially caused by trauma and the other one was from a manicure gone wrong. I've tried all kinds of anti fungal medications but haven't worked; currently using oregano oil to treat it and is somewhat helping. I don't think it's properly healing because I keep picking at it, and removing the nail; is there a medication that can help speed up the process and can you tell me what it could be??

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (44 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Onychomycosis

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us.

I am dr.kakkar (dermatologist). I have gone through your query and I have viewed the image.

It is definitely fungal infection of nail I.e onychomycosis.

I would like to know what all antifungal medications have you been on? Were they oral or topical antifungals? and what was the treatment duration?

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (34 minutes later)

Hi Dr. Kakkar,

I actually haven't taken any anti-fungal medications, because I've feared the side effects, and I've only attempted to treat it topically - all have failed, but it's probably also because I don't let the nail grow out because the nail grows faster than the nail bed is able to catch up with it.

But because it's progressively getting worse, I fear it may be spreading to my middle finger on my right hand.. Is there anyway you can prescribe me an anti-fungal medication??

Let me know.

Thanks,
XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I suggest an oral antifungal e.g terbinafine

Detailed Answer:
Ok. Thank you

You should definitely start on an oral antifungal e.g terbinafine. The fungus is actually in the nail bed, nail plate as well as nail matrix and topical drugs alone wont be effective because they won't penetrate the nail plate.
I suggest you to take oral terbinafine 250mg tab. (Tab Daskil or Tab Zimig) once daily for 6-8 weeks.
In addition to that you may apply an antifungal nail lacquer e.g amorolfine 0.25% nail lacquer/ once every week after filing nail plate.I suggest an Oral antifungal

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar