How should I treat dermatophyte nail infection?
• If the person has few troublesome symptoms, or is at increased risk of developing adverse effects from treatment, consider recommending general self-care measures alone. • Before starting antifungal treatment, confirm the diagnosis (positive microscopy or positive culture). • If the infection is mild and superficial, consider topical treatment with amorolfine 5% nail lacquer. • Continue topical treatment for 6 months for fingernail infections and 9–12 months for toenail infections. For more details see Prescribing information on amorolfine. • Mild and superficial infection of the nail includes: • Superficial onychomycosis (small flaky white patches and pits on the top of the nail plate; the nail is roughened and crumbles easily). • Mild distal onychomycosis (the nail lifts up and the free edge erodes). • Lateral onychomycosis (white or yellow opaque streaks on one side of the nail), although this may be less likely to respond than distal or superficial onychomycosis. • If self-care m
