Photodynamic therapy in treatment of onychomycoses

Abstract

Onychomycosis (OM) is a global fungal illness that affects the nails. It is estimated to have a prevalence of around 5.5% to 8%, accounting for half of all nail infections. The etiological agents of OM, including dermatophyte molds (DM), yeasts (YST), and non-dermatophyte molds (NDM), use the keratinaceous material found in the nail plate as a source of energy. Several variables that increase the likelihood of developing OM have been identified, including immunosuppression, diabetes, obesity, smoking, nail trauma, onycholysis (separation of the nail plate from the nail bed), age, gender, and geographical location. PDT is a very appealing treatment method for OM, particularly since it has previously received approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). PDT is a safe and minimally invasive treatment that involves the use of a photosensitizer (PS) in the presence of oxygen (O2).