Can onychomycosis (gray nail) be completely cured after nail avulsion?

Aug 01, 2022 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Liu Wan

Introduction

Removing the affected nail cannot guarantee complete eradication of onychomycosis. Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nail; if the fungal infection is not fully eliminated, nail removal alone will not achieve a cure. After nail avulsion, continued topical antifungal therapy is required. Nail avulsion is a surgical procedure to remove the infected nail, but it is currently not recommended as a treatment for onychomycosis.

Fingernails play an essential role in daily life. Once infected with onychomycosis (commonly known as “gray nail”), patients may experience significant disruptions to their work and daily activities. If left untreated for prolonged periods, the condition can even lead to psychological distress. So, can onychomycosis be completely cured by nail avulsion (removal)?

Can onychomycosis be completely eradicated after nail avulsion?

Nail avulsion alone does not guarantee complete eradication of onychomycosis. Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nail. If the underlying fungal infection is not fully eliminated, removing the affected nail will not achieve a cure. Following nail avulsion, continued local antifungal therapy is necessary.

Nail avulsion involves surgically removing the infected nail to eliminate the fungus. However, this approach is currently not recommended for treating onychomycosis. Nail avulsion is relatively painful and causes considerable trauma to the patient, increasing the risk of secondary bacterial infections—such as paronychia or nail bed inflammation. Moreover, after avulsion, the newly regrown nail is often smaller than the original, potentially leading to ingrown nails, cosmetic concerns, and pain.

In current clinical practice, infected nails are typically debrided using surgical blades or nail files. Alternatively, topical medications may be applied to soften and facilitate nail shedding, followed by local antifungal treatment. Commonly used topical agents include ciclopirox and amorolfine, which deliver medication directly to the site of infection for enhanced efficacy. Oral antifungal medications—such as terbinafine or itraconazole—may also be prescribed under medical supervision. Complete eradication of the causative fungus is essential to achieve a definitive cure. We hope this information is helpful to you!

View All

Can alcohol treat onychomycosis (gray nail)?

Alcohol cannot cure onychomycosis (gray nail). Alcohol is a common disinfectant but has no fungicidal effect against the fungi causing onychomycosis. Therefore, alcohol is not recommended for treating onychomycosis. First, it offers no therapeutic benefit; second, prolonged use may irritate surrounding skin and damage the stratum corneum. For onychomycosis, antifungal medications are typically used.

View Full Answer

Can Huoxiang Zhengqi Water Treat Onychomycosis (Gray Nail)?

Huoxiang Zhengqi Water is a traditional Chinese patent medicine primarily used to treat symptoms of heatstroke. It also offers some relief for abdominal distension and pain, diarrhea, and fever. However, onychomycosis (gray nail) is a fungal infection of the nail bed or nail plate caused by dermatophytes. Huoxiang Zhengqi Water is not effective for treating fungal infections and should not be used for onychomycosis.

View Full Answer

Can Feng You Jing treat onychomycosis (gray nail)?

Using Fengyoujing (a traditional Chinese medicinal oil) cannot completely cure onychomycosis (gray nail). If the condition is mild, you may try it; however, onychomycosis is primarily caused by fungal infection, leading to pathological changes in both the subungual tissue and the nail plate. The mainstay of treatment is antifungal therapy. Although Fengyoujing possesses some antibacterial properties, it is ineffective for severe cases of onychomycosis.

View Full Answer

Can Zuguang Powder treat onychomycosis (gray nail)?

The main ingredients of Zuguang Powder are salicylic acid and benzoic acid, which can treat mild onychomycosis (commonly known as “gray nail”), but are less effective for severe cases. Salicylic acid and benzoic acid—primary components of Zusanli—are weakly acidic substances; their aqueous solutions exert keratolytic and antimicrobial effects. Onychomycosis, commonly referred to as “gray nail,” is primarily caused by fungal infection. Therefore, Zuguang Powder exhibits some therapeutic efficacy against mild onychomycosis.