Treatment for Nail Infection & Removal

Fungus Thrives In Warm Moist Areas Like Sweaty Feet

Because most nail issues are caused by fungus (fungal nails), people improperly assume that they are contagious or caused by poor hygiene. No one knows where a person catches the fungus, as it is everywhere. However, fungus does thrive in warm moist areas, like sweaty feet.

There are many species of fungi that can affect nails. By far the most common, however, is called Trichophyton rubrum. This type of fungus has a tendency to infect the skin (known as a dermatophyte).

It starts at the ends of the nails and raises the nail up. This is called "distal subungal onychomycosis." It is the most common type of fungal infection of the nails (90%). It is more common in the toes than the fingers. Risk factors include older age, swimming, athlete's foot, psoriasis, diabetes, family members with the infection, or a depressed immune system. It usually starts as a discolored area at a corner of the big toe and slowly spreads toward the cuticle. Eventually the toenails will become thickened and flaky. Another type of fungus, called "proximal subungal onychomycosis," starts at the base of the nail and raises the nail up. This is the least common type of fungal nail (3%). It is similar to the distal type, but it starts at the cuticle (base of the nail) and slowly spreads toward the nail tip. This type almost always occurs in people with a damaged immune system.

Yeast onychomycosis is caused by a yeast called Candida and not by the Trichophyton fungus discussed above. It is more common in fingernails and may be the most common cause of fungal fingernails. Candida can cause yellow, brown, white, or thickened nails. Some people who have this infection also have yeast in their mouth or have a chronic paronychia that is also infected with yeast.

Compounding Offers Alternatives to Costly Oral Medications that Come with Unwanted Side Effects.

Treatment of fungal infections usually requires a long-term commitment from the patient. Not only does therapy often take an extended time, it can be costly and not well tolerated. As compounding pharmacists, we can prepare both topical and oral medications that may help. The primary ingredients we use are Itraconazole, ketopeofen and urea.

Itraconazole is an anti-fungal drug in the same class as ketoconazole and miconazole. It prevents growth of several types of fungi by preventing the fungi from producing the membranes that surround the fungal cells. It is active against fungal infections such as aspergillosis, blastomycosis, histoplasmosis, and candidiasis, as well as fungal infection localized to the toenails and fingernails (onychomycosis).

Ketoprofen is in a group of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). it works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body, and is often used to treat pain or inflammation caused by arthritis.

Uric Acid is a strong reducing agent and potent antioxidant. Over half the antioxidant capacity of blood plasma comes from uric acid.