The Ugly Truth About Toenail Fungus

(BPT) - Do you shower at the gym after your morning workout and walk barefoot? Do you regularly get salon pedicures? Do you wear socks while working outside for long periods of time and your feet sweat, or do you wear tight fitting footwear? Did you spend your summer walking around barefoot at the neighborhood pool? Do you regularly participate in athletic activities that result in your toes pushing up against the front of your closed toe shoes?

These are just a few of the common, daily behaviors that may cause toenail fungus, an important and contagious condition that affects approximately 35 million people across the United States. Toenail fungus (also known as onychomycosis) is an infection underneath the surface of the toenail resulting in nail discoloration, thickening/hardening and ragged appearance.

Dr. Tracey C. Vlahovic, Podiatrist and associate professor at Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine has been treating conditions like toenail fungus for 12 years, and reports that many people simply do not understand the condition nor the impact it can have if not treated appropriately with prescription medication.

“The problem with toenail fungus is that people think they can cure it themselves,” says Dr. Vlahovic. “Over-the-counter remedies are not only ineffective, but can make the condition worse in some cases.”

Dr. Vlahovic dispels some of the myths associated with toenail fungus:

MYTH: If you contract toenail fungus, you’re an unhygienic person

FACT: Anyone can contract toenail fungus at any point in life. In fact, common behaviors like getting a pedicure or forgetting to wear your shower shoes at the gym are most likely to cause an infection. Dr. Vlahovic cautions that everyone be aware of their surroundings — did you see the tools at the salon being cleaned? Do you know how frequently they clean the gym shower?

MYTH: Toenail fungus isn’t a serious condition

FACT: Even though the signs of toenail fungus are clear and visible — including dark-colored, discolored, thickened/hardened or brittle/ragged appearing nails — many people’s first instinct is often to cover up the problem with bandages, nail polish or closed toe shoes. But if you have a fungal infection that manages to get underneath your toenail, the infection could eat or destroy the nail. Additionally, as a contagious condition, untreated toenail fungus could spread to other toenails and to other people you come into contact with.

MYTH: You can get rid of toenail fungus quickly

FACT: The only way to completely treat your toenail fungus is to treat the infection. Once treatment begins, a new toenail will begin to grow. Since toenails grow slowly (only about 1mm per month), a new nail can take up to a year to grow. The first step is to consult with your doctor on the prescription treatment Kerydin^® (tavaborole) Topical Solution, 5%, a first in class boron-based antifungal option. The treatment regimen is to apply KERYDIN^® to the affected toenail once daily for 48 weeks. The second step is waiting for the infected nail to grow out. The key to successfully treating any fungal infection is patience.

“KERYDIN^® is one of the newer treatments that I like to use with appropriate patients,” says Dr. Vlahovic. “This treatment uses boron technology to help treat the infected area, the drop-on applicator that helps patients get the medication over, under and through the toenail. It can be used immediately after bathing, as soon as the affected toenails are dry, and fits the lifestyle of most of my patients.”

If you have or think you have toenail fungus, visit www.KERYDIN.com for additional information and resources, and to learn more about the KERYDIN^® copay program for eligible patients.

Indication

KERYDIN^® is a topical prescription medicine used to treat fungal infections of the toenails.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

KERYDIN^® is for use on toenails only. Do not use KERYDIN^® in your mouth, eyes, or vagina.

Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if KERYDIN^® can harm your unborn baby or if KERYDIN^® passes into your breast milk. It is not known if KERYDIN^® is safe and effective in children.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Use KERYDIN^® exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to use it. Avoid getting KERYDIN^® on skin that is not surrounding the treated toenail. KERYDIN^® is flammable. Avoid heat and flame while applying KERYDIN^® to your toenail.

KERYDIN^® may cause irritation at the treated site. The most common side effects include: skin peeling, ingrown toenail, redness, itching, and swelling. Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov.medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see Brief Summary of full Prescribing Information below.

SUMMARY OF INFORMATION ABOUT KERYDIN^® (ker’ i din)

(tavaborole) Topical Solution, 5%

The Risk information presented here is not comprehensive. To learn more, talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about KERYDIN.

The FDA-approved product labeling can be found at www.Kerydin .com or 1-844-KERYDIN.

KERYDIN is for use on toenails only. Do not use KERYDIN in your mouth, eyes, or vagina.

What is KERYDIN?

KERYDIN is a prescription medicine used to treat fungal infections of the toenails.

It is not known if KERYDIN is safe and effective in children.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using KERYDIN?

Before using KERYDIN, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if KERYDIN can harm your unborn baby.
are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if KERYDIN passes into your breast milk.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

How should I use KERYDIN?

Use KERYDIN exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to use it.
Apply KERYDIN to your affected toenails 1 time each day.
KERYDIN is used for 48 weeks.
It is not known if the use of nail polish or other cosmetic nail products (such as gel nails or acrylic nails) will affect how KERYDIN works.

What should I avoid while using KERYDIN?

Avoid getting KERYDIN on skin that is not surrounding the treated toenail.
KERYDIN is flammable. Avoid heat and flame while applying KERYDIN to your toenail.

What are the possible side effects of KERYDIN?

KERYDIN may cause irritation at the treated site. The most common side effects include: skin peeling, ingrown toenail, redness, itching, and swelling. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.

These are not all of the possible side effects of KERYDIN.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

How should I store KERYDIN?

Store KERYDIN at room temperature, between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).
KERYDIN is flammable. Keep away from heat and flame.
Keep the bottle tightly closed.
Safely throw away KERYDIN after 3 months of inserting the dropper.

Keep KERYDIN and all medicines out of the reach of children. General information about the safe and effective use of KERYDIN

You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information about KERYDIN that is written for health professionals. Do not use KERYDIN for a condition for which it

was not prescribed. Do not give KERYDIN to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them.

Dr. Vlahovic is a paid spokesperson for PharmaDerm, a division of Fougera Pharmaceuticals Inc. www.pharmaderm.com

KERYDIN^® is a registered trademark of Anacor Pharmaceuticals, Inc.