The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 276 No 7401 p597-600
20 May 2006

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Treatment of fungal nail infections

Amorolfine nail lacquer will soon be available over the counter for the treatment of fungal nail infection. In this article, Alan Nathan provides the background to the causes of fungal nail infections and types of infection, and looks at the treatment options

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SUMMARY

Fungal nail infection (onychomycosis) is a more common condition than is sometimes realised. Prevalence in adults is estimated at between 3–8 per cent and there are more than one million sufferers in the UK. Onychomycosis is often considered to be a trivial disease with only cosmetic implications but it can cause embarrassment and undermine self-esteem. Moreover, if left untreated it can lead to pain and discomfort and spread to surrounding tissues.

Onychomycosis presents as a discoloured nail (white, yellow or brown), which is thick or brittle, or both. It is important to recognise that the appearance of fungal nail infections can vary.

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