Alternative Treatments for Onychomycosis: High Frequency and Laser

Abstract

Onychomycosis is a type of mycosis that affect nails and it is difficult to be diagnosed and to be treated. The objective of this study was to evaluate, in patients of both sexes, treated at a podiatry clinic in the city of Araraquara, the effectiveness of two treatments for dermatophytic onychomycosis using the application of high frequency waves and photodynamic therapy (PDT). High frequency waves and PDT are alternative therapies that are already used in aesthetic clinics and may help in the treatment of onychomycosis. The research was developed with five volunteer patients, with onychomycosis on the feet. In patient 1, only high frequency waves were applied for 15 months; in patient 2, we have used the application of high frequency for 8 months and laser, for 7 months; and with the other 3 patients, we have used only the laser treatment for 6 months, 4 months and 6 months, respectively. Once a month the nails were cleaned and material for mycological examination (direct exam and culture) was collected. The five patients studied presented positive direct mycological examination during the treatment, but with a gradual decrease in the fungal structures. In patients who used only the highfrequency waves, despite good results, it took a long time to observe the clinical improvement of the nails. In the patients who used the two treatments, there was a faster improvement of the nails when they started using the laser. In the patients treated with laser, there was a noticeable improvement of the nails soon after the second application. The laser treatment was more efficient and advantageous because the applications were done each two weeks and the results were seen more quickly.