[Etiopathogenesis and therapy of dermatophytosis of the nails].

The importance of mycotic infections of the skin and its adnexa has a rising trend. The causal agents are not only dermatophytes and candidae but to an increasing extent opportune fungal microorganisms. Most frequently these diseases develop during intense immunosuppressive treatment, e.g. in oncological, oncohaematological diseases and in developed AIDS syndrome. In addition to the reduced defence capacities of the organism favourable conditions are created e.g. by antibiotic treatment, treatment with female hormones, unsuitable clothing, obesity, a certain part is played also by occupational predisposition. Treatment of onychomycoses is complicated and difficult. Before griseofulvin was available there was only surgical ablation and treatment with keratolytics. At present a number of substances with marked fungistatic effects is available. The author mentions: griseofulvin, ketoconazole, fluconazole, itraconazole (azole derivatives), allylamines (terbinafine-Lamisil). He discusses the mode of administration, dosage and undesirable effects. The recent antimycotics are ciclopiroxolamines (Batrafen) and amorolfin (Loceryl) in the form of lac.