patient counselling
Last reviewed 01/2018
- patients taking oral antifungals should be reassured that their nail infection may continue to respond even after the course of treatment is completed - this is because itraconazole and terbinafine persist in nail keratin for up to nine months after end of treatment
- the damaged nail may take much longer than three months to grow out. This is despite the fungi being dead after the antifungal treatment
- patients should be reminded of good nail hygiene:
- nails kept short
- hypertrophic nails should be filed down
- avoid contact with irritants and trauma
- avoid the use of the same instruments on both infected and uninfected nails
- wear shoes with good support, a wide toebox and avoid narrow toe and high heeled shoes
- feet should be kept cool and dry