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Suggest Treatment For Toe Nail Infection

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Posted on Fri, 11 Jul 2014
Question: I have had toe nail infection for 4-5 years now. I have tried some home remedies. Can you suggest something to cure this? My son is worried that it might "enter the bloodstream" :-)
doctor
Answered by Dr. Johny Chacko (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Onychomycosis

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to healthcare magic.

I have gone through your history and seen your clinical picture.

You seem to be having a fungal infection of the toe tail, medically termed as "Onychomycosis".

You need to treat it with a course of oral antifungals. Antifungal creams and lotions will not be able to penetrate the thick nail.

I would advise you the following -

1. 4-6 pulses of Oral Itraconazole capsule 400 mg per day. A pulse means that you take the capsule for 1 week in a month and then give a gap of 3 weeks. You then repeat the 2 nd pulse for 1 week and give a gap of 3 weeks. In this manner, you need to take 4-6 pulses depending on the response.
( e.g- If you take the capsule from july 1 st to July 7 th, repeat the the dosage from August 1 st to August 7 th. )

Please get this drug prescribed by your doctor.

2. Wear open shoes/ chappals as much as possible. Closed shoes can increase the moisture levels and promote the growth of fungus.

3. Keep the area as dry as possible. Moisture and humidity can increase the fungal growth.

4. Do not share nail clippers. The infection can spread from one person to another.

This type of infection will not spread to the blood stream. You do not have to worry about that. But it could spread to the other nails and to the skin as well.

Hope this helps you.

Wishing you good health,
Dr. Johny Chacko


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Johny Chacko (2 hours later)
Thank you, Dr. Chacko.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Johny Chacko (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Onychomycosis

Detailed Answer:
You are welcome.

Regards,
Dr. Johny Chacko
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

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

Dermatologist

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 1916 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Toe Nail Infection

Brief Answer: Onychomycosis Detailed Answer: Hello, Welcome to healthcare magic. I have gone through your history and seen your clinical picture. You seem to be having a fungal infection of the toe tail, medically termed as "Onychomycosis". You need to treat it with a course of oral antifungals. Antifungal creams and lotions will not be able to penetrate the thick nail. I would advise you the following - 1. 4-6 pulses of Oral Itraconazole capsule 400 mg per day. A pulse means that you take the capsule for 1 week in a month and then give a gap of 3 weeks. You then repeat the 2 nd pulse for 1 week and give a gap of 3 weeks. In this manner, you need to take 4-6 pulses depending on the response. ( e.g- If you take the capsule from july 1 st to July 7 th, repeat the the dosage from August 1 st to August 7 th. ) Please get this drug prescribed by your doctor. 2. Wear open shoes/ chappals as much as possible. Closed shoes can increase the moisture levels and promote the growth of fungus. 3. Keep the area as dry as possible. Moisture and humidity can increase the fungal growth. 4. Do not share nail clippers. The infection can spread from one person to another. This type of infection will not spread to the blood stream. You do not have to worry about that. But it could spread to the other nails and to the skin as well. Hope this helps you. Wishing you good health, Dr. Johny Chacko