The Prospect of Photodynamic Therapy in the Treatment of Hypertrophic Onychomycosis

Abstract

Onychomycosis is an infectious disease of the nail apparatus caused by pathogenic fungi (dermatophytes, non-dermatophytes and yeasts), clinically manifested most often by onycholysis of the nail plate, its thickening and subungual hyperkeratosis with significant physical, aesthetic and psychosocial consequences. When the prescription of systemic antimycotics is impossible or undesirable, the dermatovenerologist comes to the aid of hardware methods of influencing the affected tissue. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a worthy, non-invasive, safe method that will significantly reduce treatment time and reduce the number of relapses. However, it is advisable to use PDT only as part of a therapeutic complex.