What are the treatment methods for fungal nail infection?
Disease description:
I've had toenail fungus for many years and have been undergoing treatment for a long time, but it keeps recurring. Could you please tell me what are the available treatments for toenail fungus?
The main treatment methods for onychomycosis (fungal nail infection) include the following:
1. Surgical nail removal: Suitable for a single infected nail, this involves removing the affected nail under local anesthesia. However, it creates a large wound and may cause bleeding; therefore, it is not recommended for patients with heart disease, hypertension, or similar conditions.
2. Oral medication: For cases involving multiple infected nails, oral antifungal drugs such as terbinafine tablets or itraconazole may be prescribed.
3. Topical therapy: Applying or soaking the affected nail with topical agents such as acetic acid solution or terbinafine cream, which must be continued for 3–6 months.
4. Acupuncture: Treatment involves stimulating specific acupuncture points.
5. Moxibustion: The affected nail is exposed to moxa fumes using a moxa stick, applied 2–3 times daily for 10–15 minutes each session.
Treatment of onychomycosis should be individualized based on the severity of the condition and patient-specific factors. Consistent and persistent treatment is essential to achieve optimal results.