Concepts in Onychomycosis Treatment and Recurrence Prevention: An Update

Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2016 Mar;35(3 Suppl 3):S56-9; quiz s61. doi: 10.12788/j.sder.2016.010.

Abstract

In considering therapy for onychomycosis, the most important factor to take into account is patient selection rather than treatment selection. Patients should be screened and evaluated for the extent of nail involvement, the amount of subungual debris, the degree of dystrophy, their ability and willingness to follow the regimen, and whether comorbidities are present that may affect the efficacy and/or safety of one or more therapies. Onychomycosis is a chronic disease with a high recurrence rate. Commonsense measures to reduce the risk for reinfection include patient education and a clinician-patient team approach to long-term management.

Keywords: Dermatophytes; diabetes; efinaconazole; geriatric patients; immunosuppression; onychomycosis; pediatric patients; psoriasis; treatment adherence.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age Distribution
  • Antifungal Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Comorbidity
  • Diabetes Complications / epidemiology
  • Foot Dermatoses / drug therapy*
  • Foot Dermatoses / epidemiology
  • Foot Dermatoses / prevention & control*
  • Humans
  • Onychomycosis / drug therapy*
  • Onychomycosis / epidemiology
  • Onychomycosis / prevention & control*
  • Patient Compliance
  • Patient Education as Topic
  • Patient Selection
  • Physician-Patient Relations
  • Psoriasis / complications
  • Psoriasis / epidemiology
  • Recurrence
  • Risk Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • United States / epidemiology

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents