The efficacy of laser therapy, drug therapy in the treatment for mild or moderate onychomycosis

Abstract

Abstract: Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of Nd:YAG 1064 nm laser therapy, itraconazole therapy in the treatment for onychomycosis.Method Sixty patients with 125 nails infected by fungi were randomly assigned to two groups. The nails in group A were treated by Nd:YAG 1064 nm laser. The nails in group B were treated by itraconazole.By following the patients of each group at 8 weeks, 16 weeks, and 24 weeks, both clinical and mycological efficacy was evaluated.Results In group A, the effective rates at 8 weeks, 16 weeks, and 24 weeks were 78.9%, 52.6% and 52.6% respectively. In group B the effective rates were 80.9%, 66.2% and 67.6% respectively. There was no significant difference in the treatment efficacy between the two groups (P<0.05).Conclusion Long pulse Nd:YAG 1064 nm laser therapy was a simple and effective method without significant complications or side effects. The difference in the treatment efficacy between the laser therapy and the drug therapy for patients with mild or moderate onychomycosis was not significant, so laser therapy could be considered in first-line therapy.

Key words: onychomycosis, laser, itraconazole

CLC Number:

R756.4

XU Jing, ZHUO Feng-lin, ZHANG Rui-na, ZHAO Jun-ying. The efficacy of laser therapy, drug therapy in the treatment for mild or moderate onychomycosis[J]. Chinese Journal of Mycology, 2014, 9(1): 20-23.

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