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Biomedical subjects

R K Scher

Publications and source records attributed to R K Scher.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Onychomycosis. New therapies for an old disease.

The newer generation of antifungal agents such as itraconazole and terbinafine are more effective than the older therapies, griseofulvin and ketoconazole, in the treatment of dermatophyte pedal onychomycosis. Itraconazole can be administered as continuous dosing, 200 mg per day for 3 months, or in the form of pulse therapy, 200 mg twice a day for 1 week per month for 3 consecutive months. Terbinafine is given as continuous dosing, 250 mg per day for 3 months.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

The nurse's role in diagnosing and treating onychomycosis.

Onychomycosis involves fungal invasion of the nail unit via the nail bed or nail plate. Nurses play an important role in diagnosing the disease, managing it, and educating patients about it. Newer oral antifungal agents have increased success rates with shortened treatment times.

Antifungal Agents↗
PubMed1994

Topical and surgical treatment of onychomycosis.

Dermatophytes, yeasts, and molds can be the causative organisms of fungal nail infections. Alternatives to the systemic management of onychomycosis include topical and surgical treatments. Traditionally, topical agents used as monotherapy for onychomycosis are only able to inhibit the growth of fungal nail infections; clinical and mycologic cures have recently been observed after treatment with some of the newer preparations. In contrast, surgical treatments almost always need to be used in conjunction with either topical or systemic antifungal therapy. An efficacious topical treatment alternative for onychomycosis involves applying antifungal agents concurrently or sequentially with the removal or debridement of the infected nail structures. Alternatively, the application of antifungal lacquer to fingernail and toenail fungal infections may also be an effective topical therapy for the treatment of less severe forms of onychomycosis.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1994

Onychomycosis is more than a cosmetic problem.

The nails serve several important functions and, when they are infected by fungal organisms, these functions are severely impaired. In addition, the quality of life, in terms of self-esteem and social interaction, is adversely affected when fungal nail infections are present. Finally, when finger and/or toenails are abnormal this may interfere with patients' occupations.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

A double-blind, vehicle-controlled study of the safety and efficacy of Fungoid Tincture in patients with distal subungual onychomycosis of the toes.

Onychomycosis is one of the most common causes of nail disease and one of the hardest to treat among fungal infections. A double-blind, vehicle-controlled study has been conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Fungoid Tincture (Pedinol Pharmacal, Inc), for the treatment of fungal infection of the toenails. Ten patients with distal subungual onychomycosis were treated for twelve months with topical Fungoid Tincture. Another ten patients with the same ailment were treated with the vehicle alone. Once a month, clinical and global evaluation of the target nail was done, in addition to trimming and debridement of the nails. After twelve months of treatment, 90 percent of patients applying Fungoid Tincture showed negative results on culture. There were minimal adverse effects.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed1993

Open-label study of the safety and efficacy of naftifine hydrochloride 1 percent gel in patients with distal subungual onychomycosis of the fingers.

Optimal topical therapy for distal subungual onychomycosis is not available. An open-label study was performed to determine the safety and efficacy of naftifine hydrochloride (Naftin) 1 percent gel in patients with this disorder of the fingers. Ten patients with culture-proven distal subungual onychomycosis were treated twice daily for six months with naftifine hydrochloride 1 percent gel. At monthly intervals, the target nail was trimmed, the nail bed debrided, and global clinical assessment recorded. Following months three, six, and eight (two months after treatment), the target nail underwent evaluation with potassium hydroxide wet mount and fungal culture. After six months of therapy, eight of ten patients showed negative results of fungal culture and eight of ten patients showed clinical improvement. Adverse effects were minimal and included mild peeling in two patients and mild fissuring with transient fingertip numbness in one patient.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1993

Brittle nails: response to daily biotin supplementation.

A recent study from Switzerland demonstrated a 25 percent increase in nail plate thickness in patients with brittle nails who received biotin supplementation. Analysis of all visits to a nail consultation practice over a six-month period revealed forty-four patients with this condition who had been prescribed the B-complex vitamin biotin. Of these, thirty-five who took daily supplementation were subjectively evaluated. Twenty-two of thirty-five (63 percent) showed clinical improvement and thirteen (37 percent) reported no change in their condition. The results of this small, retrospective study suggest a positive response to biotin in the treatment of brittle nails in some patients.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1992

Geriatric nail disorders: diagnosis and treatment.

Age-associated nail changes and disorders are common in elderly patients. Characteristic changes in color, contour, growth, surface, thickness, and histology occur in the nail unit as persons become older. Several onychodystrophies are frequently observed in these elderly patients: brittle nails, those induced by faulty biomechanics and trauma, infections, onychauxis, onychoclavus, onychogryphosis, onychophosis, splinter hemorrhages and subungual hematomas, and subungual exostosis. Awareness of the signs and symptoms of the aging nail will enable better assessment and management of the onychologic concerns of this group of older patients.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

The spectrum of nail disease in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection.

There are no known pathognomonic nail signs of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. However, several presentations should increase the index of suspicion. (1) Proximal white subungual onychomycosis or superficial white onychomycosis, especially of the fingernails, is present. Trichophyton rubrum appears to cause both most commonly in HIV-infected patients. Periungual dermatophyte involvement and involvement of all 10 fingernails is unusual in non-HIV-infected persons. (2) Candida is a primary pathogen of the nail bed and nail plate especially if many nails are involved. (3) A destructive, almost granulomatous-like psoriatic involvement of the nails is present. (4) Squamous cell carcinoma of the nail bed in a young adult. There are no clinical trails to confirm the efficacy of therapy mentioned in this article. The treatment suggestions are empirical and are the personal views of the authors.

Candidiasis, Cutaneous↗
PubMed1992

Nail cosmetics.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Cosmetics↗
PubMed1992

Open-label study of the safety and efficacy of Fungoid tincture in patients with distal subungual onychomycosis of the toes.

Onychomycosis is the most frequent cause of nail diseases. An open-label study has been conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Fungoid Tincture, a topical antifungal agent approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of onychomycosis of the toes. Ten patients with culture-proven distal subungual onychomycosis were treated twice daily for twelve months with topical Fungoid Tincture. Another ten patients with the same condition were treated with the vehicle alone. At monthly intervals, the target nail was trimmed, the nail bed debrided, and global clinical assessment recorded. After twelve months of therapy, all patients applying Fungoid Tincture showed negative findings on fungal culture. The vehicle alone benefitted several patients, and may have antifungal activity. Adverse effects were minimal, with mild peeling occurring in seven patients and erythema noted in one.

Antifungal Agents↗
PubMed1991

Nail disorders in children.

The spectrum of nail abnormalities that may be seen in the pediatric population is discussed in this article. Developmental abnormalities, both hereditary and congenital, are discussed. Acquired nail abnormalities that may be similar to those seen in adults are also described.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Congenital malalignment of the great toenails.

Congenital malalignment of the great toenails is a disorder in which malalignment of the nail matrix results in angular lateral nail plate growth. The consequence is onychodystrophy, which may progress to onychogryphosis and chronic ingrown toenails. There has been debate as to whether the condition is inherited or acquired in utero secondary to improper fetal positioning. A 6-year-old boy and his father, both of whom have this disorder, are discussed.

Child↗
PubMed1991

Histologic evaluation of nail clippings for diagnosing onychomycosis.

Nail clippings from patients suspected of having onychomycosis were processed for histologic evaluation in the same manner as routine skin with the addition of a chitin-softening solution prior to processing. The sections were stained by the periodic acid-Schiff method and examined for fungal hyphae. The results were compared with the results of fungal cultures from the same nail. Our findings indicate that routine histopathologic analysis of the nail plate alone is a useful complementary method to fungal culture for diagnosing onychomycosis.

Diagnosis, Differential↗