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Onychomycosis involves fungal invasion of the nail unit via the nail bed or nail plate. Nurses play an important role in diagnosing the disease, managing it, and educating patients about it. Newer oral antifungal agents have increased success rates with shortened treatment times.

Optimal topical therapy for distal subungual onychomycosis is not available. An open-label study was performed to determine the safety and efficacy of naftifine hydrochloride (Naftin) 1 percent gel in patients with this disorder of the fingers. Ten patients with culture-proven distal subungual onychomycosis were treated twice daily for six months with naftifine hydrochloride 1 percent gel. At monthly intervals, the target nail was trimmed, the nail bed debrided, and global clinical assessment recorded. Following months three, six, and eight (two months after treatment), the target nail underwent evaluation with potassium hydroxide wet mount and fungal culture. After six months of therapy, eight of ten patients showed negative results of fungal culture and eight of ten patients showed clinical improvement. Adverse effects were minimal and included mild peeling in two patients and mild fissuring with transient fingertip numbness in one patient.

Onychomycosis is the most frequent cause of nail diseases. An open-label study has been conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Fungoid Tincture, a topical antifungal agent approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of onychomycosis of the toes. Ten patients with culture-proven distal subungual onychomycosis were treated twice daily for twelve months with topical Fungoid Tincture. Another ten patients with the same condition were treated with the vehicle alone. At monthly intervals, the target nail was trimmed, the nail bed debrided, and global clinical assessment recorded. After twelve months of therapy, all patients applying Fungoid Tincture showed negative findings on fungal culture. The vehicle alone benefitted several patients, and may have antifungal activity. Adverse effects were minimal, with mild peeling occurring in seven patients and erythema noted in one.