Strategies for treatment of onychomycosis

Dermatophytescan cause nail plate affections relating to Onychomycosis. Many cases are reported due to tineaunguium infection. Onychomycosis accounts for 13% of the nail disorders in western countries and India accounts for 45% of the cases worldwide. Treatment for this affection is through the use of topical agentscontaining Ketoconazole, Itraconazole, Griseofulvin, Terbinafine etc. But inadequate penetration, inability to apply for difficult-reach-areas, occasional contact dermatitis and poor response due to application of inadequate amounts of dosage form are the associated problems. The present review gives an insight into the available methods and strategies for treatment. Use of Keratinolytic enzymes along with other topical antifungal agents is advocated as a strategy for better therapy.Keratinase can effectively potentiate the antifungal therapy by acting in a synergistic mode.