te. Once the body has been infected by the fungi, it is most likely to occur again if not taken proper care of (Tosti & Piraccini, 1996).Treatment To stop the growth of OM, treatment is required over many months. A full treatment plan should be given to the patient, in all forms, to maximize the full potential of each drug. The affected nails should be thin as possible, and oral treatment should be used to end OM. Three drugs are now widely used in the prevention and curing of OM: Fluconazole, Itraconazole, and Terbinafine (Tosti & Piraccini, 1996). Terbinafine, a new medication, has a 50-70% chance of curing OM when administered for a 12 week period (Soignee, 1998). Fluconazole and Itraconazole in combination reduce relapses and the duration of the treatment. Fluconazole 150 mg. given once weekly or 100 mg. every other day for 3 to 6 months has been successful; in contrast, Itraconazole is effective at dosages of 200 mg. per day for 12 consecutive weeks (Tosti & Piraccini, 1996). Many people have the idea that removal of the nail is the best way to end the fungal infection; however, what people don't know is that when a new nail grows in the place of the old one, it usually becomes reinfected. Therefore, the best treatment is through the use of oral drugs (Soignee, 1998).Conclusion One must maintain a certain standard to prevent OM. Failure to maintain a good standard of foot hygiene, communal areas (showers or swimming pools(), and failure to dry feet througly can all cause OM (Arnold, Odom, & James, 1990). Prevention is the cornerstone for the intervention of OM. ReferencesArnold, H.L., Odom, R.B., & James, W.D. (Eds.) (1990). Diseases of skin. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders Co.Hay, R.J. (1986). Infections affecting the nails. In P.D. Samman & D.A. Fenton (Eds.), The nails in disease. London: William Heinemann Medical Books.Joseph, W.S. (November, 1997). "Special topic...
