Onychomycosis is a chronic fungal infection that affects the toe nails or the finger nails. While this condition is mostly asymptomatic, rarely it may cause pain, discomfort and disfigurement, resulting in physical and occupational limitations along with associated emotional trauma.
The Ayurvedic treatment of this condition is aimed at treating the fungus infection and helping in a normal regrowth of the affected nails. Medicines like Arogya-Vardhini, Gandhak-Rasayan, Sukshma-Triphala, Triphala-Guggulu, Panch-Tikta-Ghrut-Guggulu, Maha-Manjishthadi-Qadha and Saarivasav are used to treat the fungus infection. Herbal medicines like Nimba (Azadirachta indica), Karanj (Pongamia pinnata), Takla (Clerodendron phomodis), Khadeer (Acacia catechu), Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Bhrungraj (Eclipta alba), Vidang (Embilia ribes), Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), Saariva (Hemidesmus indicus), Bavachi (Psoralia corylifolia), Haridra (Curcuma longa) and Daruharidra (Berberis aristata) can also be used for this purpose. Local applications on the affected nails are made using medicines like Karanj oil, Nimba oil and Panch-Tikta-Ghrut. An ointment containing Gandhak (Purified sulphur) and Tankan-Bhasma (Purified borax) is very effective in treating the fungal infection.
Patients suffering from onychomycosis may have associated problems which need to be treated separately, in order to get good therapeutic results for the fungal infection. An immuno-compromised condition like HIV needs to be treated with immuno-modulating medicines like Yashtimadhuk (Glycerrhiza glabra), Bhumiamalaki (Phyllanthus niruri), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Abhrak-Bhasma, Suvarna-Bhasma and Suvarna-Malini-Vasant. Metabolic disorders like diabetes can be treated using medicines like Haridra, Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Mamejva (Enicostemma littorale), Gudmar (Gymnema sylvester) and Karavellaka (Momordica charantia).
Most patients affected with this condition need to use local applications and oral medications like Gandhak-Rasayan for several months together, and should be warned that healthy nails may not appear for up to one year. Local applications may need to be continued even after stopping oral medications.
