Rules for using Clotrimazole against nail fungus on the hands and feet

Dermatomycosis is a fungal infection of the skin. You can become infected with the disease through direct contact with a sick person or through objects. Fighting fungi takes time and powerful drugs. There are a number of medications for the treatment of dermatomycosis. When using them, the process of reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms first slows down, and only later the latter are destroyed.

Clotrimazole is a synthetic broad-spectrum antibacterial drug used to combat fungus. The product belongs to the group of imidazole derivatives.

Composition and properties of the drug

The active ingredient of the drug is the substance of the same name, clotrimazole. It specifically targets the fungus, destroying it at the cellular level. Without damaging nearby tissues, it destroys the cell membrane of the causative agent of onychomycosis, as a result of which it dies. The substance has a fungicidal effect, that is, destroying the fungus, and a fungistatic effect, slowing down the process of reproduction and spread of the pathogen.

Also, clotrimazole against nail fungus has a symptomatic effect, eliminating itching. The substance has the ability to accumulate in the body, that is, even after completing the course of therapy, Clotrimazole will remain in the nail plate and will protect against relapse of the pathology.

Auxiliary components of the drug depend on the form of release.

Method of use for nail fungus

For the drug to be highly effective, you need to know how to use Clotrimazole for nail fungus . Statistically, nail fungus takes longer to cure than skin pathology, and relapses occur more often. This happens due to two factors: firstly, the nail plate is dense and thick, that is, the medicine cannot always penetrate as deeply as possible. This means that the patient must do preparatory procedures that will allow the nail plates to become softer and more porous.

Secondly, the speed of recovery directly depends on the rate of tissue renewal. The epidermis renews itself faster, while nail regrowth can occur within six months. If therapy ends prematurely, onychomycosis usually recurs.

Before using Clotrimazole, you need to treat your nails using scissors and a file: the free edge of the nail plate is cut off, and the top layer is removed using a file. After use, tools are treated with an antiseptic, and it is better to use disposable paper files.

After this, the nails are steamed in warm water with the addition of salt, apple cider vinegar, soda or soap solution for 20 minutes. The water should be slightly warmer than room temperature.

After thoroughly drying your nails with a paper towel, you should begin applying the medicine.

Liquid Clotrimazole for nail fungus must be applied to the nails in a thin layer and dried for several minutes. Once the solution has hardened, you can wash your hands. The procedure should be repeated every day, since the solution is water-soluble, and after 24 hours it will no longer protect the nail plate, although its components will accumulate in the nail bed.

Clotrimazole cream for nail fungus is applied in a small amount and rubbed in with light massaging movements. The procedure must be repeated at least 3 times a day.

The course of treatment is usually no more than 3 weeks, after which a break is required. But in advanced cases, the doctor may increase the duration of treatment.

During therapy, it is important to apply Clotrimazole to the nails in the optimal amount. If the dosage is insufficient, the fungus will not be destroyed, although the drug will have a fungistatic effect, that is, it will disrupt the rate of reproduction and spread of fungi.

How to use

The drug is used only externally. Cream, ointment, solution is applied in a thin layer to the affected areas, which have been previously cleaned, and rubbed in until completely absorbed. It is also possible to use it “in vitro” - inside the vagina in the treatment of thrush and other fungal infections in women.

The medication should be applied regularly - at least 2 times a day - morning and evening. When treating nails for onychomycosis, the nails should first be steamed, trimmed and dried. To treat nail plates, it is recommended to use a solution. It can also be added to baths to treat athlete's foot.

Suppositories and vaginal tablets are also used daily, and both partners must undergo treatment.

Contraindications and side effects

It is necessary to refuse to use the product in the following cases:

• up to 12 weeks of pregnancy;
• allergy to any component of the composition;
• liver failure;
• lactation.

It is necessary to use the drug with extreme caution if intolerance to any of its analogues has previously been noted. In this case, it is recommended to visit a doctor and tell him about the previously observed symptoms of an allergic reaction. The doctor will select a drug with the lowest content of potential allergens.

Another conditional contraindication for the use of Clotrimazole is the unknown fact of the specific causative agent of the disease. Despite the fact that onychomycosis is easily diagnosed, similar manifestations occur in other diseases. Only the attending physician should prescribe the medicine.

Side effects are extremely rare: since the medicine is intended for external use, symptoms of intolerance are usually local:

• peeling;
• itching;
• blisters;
• hives.

It is extremely important to distinguish side effects from the use of the drug from symptoms of overdose, which require immediate discontinuation of the drug or dose adjustment. These symptoms include:

• nausea;
• abdominal pain;
• hallucinations;
• physical weakness;
• frequent urination.

If you feel suddenly unwell, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Advantages and disadvantages of the drug

Clotrimazole is popular due to the following advantages:

• economical to use - the packaging is enough for the entire course of therapy;
• accessibility – both in price and method of acquisition;
• ease of use;
• The reliability of the result has been proven both scientifically and through the experience of many people.

There are no objective disadvantages of Clotrimazole. Some people may experience individual intolerance to the drug. You also need to be extremely careful not to get the product in your eyes.

How much does it cost, where to buy

The drug is sold at any pharmacy and does not require a prescription. It will cost approximately 170 rubles, depending on the region. Whether the medicine will be in stock depends on the retail outlet, but usually Clotrimazole is not difficult to purchase. You can check the cost in online pharmacies, but the best option for purchasing any medicine is a regular pharmacy. Although the conditions for working and opening an online pharmacy are the same as for a regular one, only in a city pharmacy you can be guaranteed to buy the drug on time.

Perhaps the only advantage of an online pharmacy is that you can see a photo of the product in advance and read a review from a buyer.

Can it be used by children and pregnant women?

Conducted studies have not revealed a risk for pregnant women. However, during the period of bearing a child, the body experiences hormonal changes that can affect pregnancy. For example, even those substances in the composition that were previously easily tolerated can cause a severe allergic reaction. Therefore, during the most dangerous period of pregnancy - up to 12 weeks, the drug is not used. In subsequent months of pregnancy, the drug is allowed after consultation with a specialist.

Clotrimazole should not be used during lactation, since the components of the drug have the ability to pass into breast milk. If the need for treatment with this drug is high, lactation is temporarily interrupted.

Children can use Clotrimazole cream and liquid for nail fungus , as the composition is safe. But up to 3 years, and according to some pediatricians - up to 5 years, it is better to abandon the drug.

Release forms

All dosage forms of clotrimazole are intended for external use only .

1. 1% Cream - tube 20 g homogeneous mass of white color.
2. 1% Ointment – ​​fatty, white, 20 g tube. Separate article about ointment and cream...
3. 1% Solution is a clear, colorless liquid with a specific odor in a bottle with a dropper.
4. The powder is white to light yellow in color with a peculiar odor. Only one drug containing clotrimazole is available in powder form - Indian-made Candide.

Dosage forms in which the product is produced (there is no powder here)

What to choose

Cream and ointment differ in their base: the ointment is fattier (based on the composition of petroleum jelly and lanolin), the cream has a softer base due to other components. The cream can be applied both to the skin and to the mucous membranes of the body, the ointment can be applied only to the skin.

Clotrimazole solution penetrates the nail keratin , so it is used against nail fungus and also to treat oral fungal infections. It is also acceptable to use on the skin area, especially if it is impossible to use ointments and cream formulations.

The powder has a drying effect on weeping wounds, ulcers with a fungal infection, and also to relieve diaper rash, for example, in skin folds.

Price and analogues of the drug

The price of Clotrimazole solution against nail fungus is 150 rubles per 15 ml bottle. The cost of the cream ranges from 70 to 150 rubles per 20-30 grams. The drug is sold at any pharmacy without a prescription from a doctor.

Analogs of the drug are presented in large quantities:

• Micox;
• Kanesten;
• Clotrisal;
• Isol.

Not all drugs are interchangeable, so you need to purchase the product for an individual purpose.

In what form is it sold, what is included, active substance

Clotrimazole can be found in six release versions and they will differ slightly in composition. The active ingredient in all variants will be clotrimazole, the chemical substance after which the drug is named.

1. Cream 1%. Packaged in tubes of 15, 20, 30 and 50 grams. In addition to the active substance (10 mg/g), it contains: polysorbate 60, cetostearyl and benzyl alcohol, synthetic spermaceti, water and octyldodecanol, sorbitan stearate.
2. Ointment 1%. Also pipes of the same volume as cream, with the exception of the maximum. It will be not 50, but 40 grams. The composition contains polyethylene oxide 400 and 1500, propylene glycol, methylparaben, nipagin.
3. Gel 1%. Packages contain either 20 or 40 grams. In addition to the usual excipients, the composition includes sage essential oil.
4. 1% solution. Only 15 ml bottles. The main excipient is ethanol, it contains 96%. The rest is occupied, in addition to the active substance, by propylene glycol and polyethylene glycol. This liquid mixture is the main component of therapy for nail damage.
5. Vaginal suppositories, 0.1 grams. Presented in plastic packaging. One suppository contains 100 mg of clotrimazole, and the rest is excipients.
6. Vaginal tablets. Sometimes the packages contain an applicator. The concentration of clotrimazole is 100, 200 or 500 mg. Excipients include lactose, potato starch, adipic acid, sodium bicarbonate, sodium lauryl sulfate.

Types of clotrimazole

Prevention of nail fungus

After completing the course of treatment with Clotrimazole, it is recommended to continue using the solution and cream for at least two weeks to destroy all pathogens of onychomycosis and minimize the risk of relapse.

Clotrimazole is not suitable for primary prevention of onychomycosis. It is a drug that acts through targeted resolution of the fungus at the cellular level. To prevent the disease, drugs that create an environment on the body or surface of the nails that prevents infection or a physical barrier film, for example, in the form of a special varnish, are more suitable.

Infection can be prevented using passive prevention methods, that is, avoiding sources of potential infection:

• someone else's shoes;
• floors in a sauna, bathhouse;
• any surfaces in public places.

You can reduce the risk of infection by practicing good personal hygiene and maintaining a healthy immune system.

Reviews about the treatment of nail fungus with Clotrimazole

1. Konstantin, 23 years old: “I encountered a fungus for the first time, I was unpleasantly surprised and tried to make every effort to recover faster. I did not go to the doctor due to lack of time. helped me a lot in finding Clotrimazole for nail fungus : I read various forums on the Internet, realized that the product was effective and was sold without a prescription, so I immediately bought it. I used, according to the recommendations in the reviews, Clotrimazole liquid for nail fungus and ointment at the same time. During the treatment, one of my affected nails fell off, but there were no unpleasant sensations. The nail gradually grew back on its own, but there was no more fungus.
2. Elizaveta, 31 years old: “For a pool visitor, fungus is a common occurrence. I read a lot of reviews on the Internet and was surprised that people reacted so strongly to the disease. It can be easily treated if you use high-quality drugs, and not outdated grandmother’s recipes. I recommend the use of Clotrimazole for toenail fungus and fingernail fungus. Firstly, this is a medicine whose effectiveness has been scientifically proven. Secondly, during the entire time I used it, I did not encounter a single side effect. Thirdly, it instantly relieves all symptoms, and after a month of use you are completely healthy. Many people complain about relapses, but it is important to understand that the medicine does not guarantee protection for life. You can catch a fungus at any time.”
3. Vika, 29 years old: “I used to be a fan of alternative therapy, but all these remedies did not help me cope with such a seemingly simple problem as nail fungus. I read reviews of Clotrimazole cream for nail fungus , and realized that I couldn’t do without chemicals. But I was happy with the result! The drug did not sting or cause irritation. You just need to apply it to your nails and let it absorb. I can recommend the product to everyone. The only thing is to study the instructions for using Clotrimazole ointment for nail fungus , as there are contraindications.”
4. Anna Dmitrievna, mycologist: “ Reviews about the treatment of nail fungus with Clotrimazole are positive, since the product is really effective. I will focus on the disadvantages of the drug: in my opinion, which contradicts some reviews, Clotrimazole cream for fingernail fungus does not have time to be absorbed, since it needs to be applied quite often, and on the surface of the nail plate it is easily smeared. I advise you to use the solution, and Clotrimazole cream or ointment for nail fungus to the skin of your fingers, since the fungus tends to spread.”
5. Denis Nikolaevich, dermatologist: “The opinion that onychomycosis takes a long time to be treated and still arises again is a myth. If a patient cannot get rid of the fungus for a long time, I see 2 reasons for this: either he uses the wrong drug, or he violates the instructions. Cream, solution, drops and ointment Clotrimazole against nail fungus on the hands and feet are extremely effective. But the patient will need more effort than when treated with tablets, which you simply need to wash down with water once a day. The products are applied frequently; before each application it is necessary to prepare the nails. But thanks to this, a person can reduce the number of side effects, because the drug penetrates the body in very small quantities, which is only relevant for nursing mothers and patients with damaged filtration systems of the body - the liver and kidneys.”

Watch a video about the drug Clotrimazole for nail fungus:

Precautions during use

To avoid unpleasant and dangerous situations, precautions must not be violated. Namely:

1. Before and after applying the medicine, you should wash your hands thoroughly.
2. Observe the storage conditions of the product. It should be stored at a temperature from +2 to +25 degrees, in the dark.
3. Administration should be external only; care must be taken to ensure that the medicine does not get into the eyes or mouth. When it does get into the eyes, the eyes are washed with water, and if pain, blurred vision and other similar symptoms occur, immediately seek qualified medical help.
4. The place for storing the medicine should be inaccessible to children and animals.
5. Use the drug only within the expiration date. Then, even if half the bottle is left, you need to get rid of it and buy a fresh one.