Oral Antifungal and Kidneys

[B767Driver]

Dear Dr. Forred,

I've had a case of athlete's foot for years (I shower at the YMCA most days after a work out, I'm sure that's where I've gotten it over the years). Now it seems to be more chronic and spreading to the nails (right foot only...left foot is great). Topical treatments clear it up for a week and then it flares up again. My physician has begun an oral antifungal and says we need to monitor the liver as we go.

Do these drugs affect the liver in rare cases? Or more frequently?

Also, do you ever get rid of this fungus once it becomes chronic?

Thanks for your service.

[My Flight Surgeon]

The oral antifungal medications work well. You have to take them long enough for the nail to grow out to a normal nail. Sometimes the fungal infection is hard to eliminate. We then remove the toenail and treat with oral medications to totally eliminate the fungus.

These drugs can cause problems with the liver but it is relatively uncommon. I can't remember the last time I had to stop one because of liver problems.

Topical treatment is tried but is essentially worthless when it comes to fungus under the nails.

[B767Driver]

Thanks for the reply. For three weeks I've been getting a vesicular outbreak between the toes. It comes and goes...clears up then comes back. That's what I'm trying to clear up now. The scaly stuff is gone but the vesicular stuff seems to be very persistent. I just started the oral medication yesterday. Hopefully that will do the trick.

Also, is it unusual for just one foot to be affected?

[B767Driver]

Originally Posted by My Flight Surgeon

. We then remove the toenail and treat with oral medications to totally eliminate the fungus.

.

That doesn't sound fun, Doc.

[My Flight Surgeon]

It doesn't hurt me a bit

[dingo222]

yeah, I had a few removed when I came back from Iraq because they got all nasty and we really didn't have the most hygenic places to live etc. THe Doc looked at me and said "IT's ok to cry, because this is going to hurt" I'll never forget that dude!

[Kristie]

you should get some of those water shoes so you have some footwear while in the shower!! that'll help keep it away once it clears up!

I have no idea where to find them but i'm betting target or any type of pool store might have them!

[mrivc211]

oh geez. Removal of the toe or any nail has to be capital punishment. I would not wish it upon my worst enemy. I cringe just thinking about it.

[My Flight Surgeon]

It does seem babaric

[B767Driver]

I'm responding well to treatment. 4 days in...the skin is clear and the nail is not too bad. Hit the basketball court today for the first time in a month. That stuff was nasty. From now on I'll be using antifungal spray everyday just for preventative measures.

I now notice guys nails in the sauna...man there are some nasty ones out there.

[My Flight Surgeon]

Just be certain to take it until it is gone. The life cycle of fungus is such that if you stop the medication early, the disease will come back.

[B767Driver]

Originally Posted by My Flight Surgeon

Just be certain to take it until it is gone. The life cycle of fungus is such that if you stop the medication early, the disease will come back.

No worries, here. This stuff had gotten chronic and persistent and I'm waging war. I had let it survive for too long before taking action.