Trosyl

Trosyl is a nail fluid that kills fungi on the nail. Trosyl is a clear, pale yellow fluid that comes in a glass bottle with a screw top and a special applicator. It contains the active ingredient tioconazole which is an antimycotic, or fungicide. The fluid is applied directly to the affected nail or nails which means that the tioconazole can penetrate easily, right to the spot where it is needed to attack the fungus and kill it.

Fungal nail infections are very common, and indeed up to 70% of the population may suffer with them at some point. They look unpleasant and can take a long time to go away. Often they are contracted at swimming pools or saunas where you walk barefoot on damp ground, but sometimes they are caused by a weakened immune system or simply wearing footwear that does not allow your feet to breathe.

The key causes are warmth and damp. Usually the condition is not serious, but treatment takes a long time even if there are no complications, and if you are a diabetic or have problems with your immune system, fungal nail infection can cause more serious health issues.

Trosyl is a nail fluid that kills fungi on the nail. Trosyl is a clear, pale yellow fluid that comes in a glass bottle with a screw top and a special applicator. It contains the active ingredient tioconazole which is an antimycotic, or fungicide. The fluid is applied directly to the affected nail or nails which means that the tioconazole can penetrate easily, right to the spot where it is needed to attack the fungus and kill it. The source of the infection is usually right in the nail bed, which means that it needs time to penetrate the nail and access this area. Nail infections are particularly difficult to treat as nails are difficult to heal and take a long time to grow. Trosyl nail solution penetrates the membranes of the cells that cause the infection and causes them to degrade and die.

Trosyl is used to treat fungal nail infections, which are rather unpleasant to look at and although generally not serious, should be treated as they are likely to spread or worsen if left alone. If there is any doubt, your doctor can send nail clippings for testing.

Some facts about fungal nail infection:

• A fungal nail infection can affect both your fingernails and your toenails;
• One sign of an infection is discolouring of the nail, which will turn yellow, brown or white;
• Your infected nail will also start to thicken;
• The nail will then become brittle and crack or crumble easily;
• The infection usually starts at the edges of the nail and spreads towards the middle;
• The root of the infection is in the nail bed, so treatment can take a while as it is hard for anything applied over the nail to reach the source of the infection;
• Leaving athlete’s foot untreated can lead to a fungal nail infection;
• If left untreated, the infection can also cause swelling, pain and itching around the nail;
• Fungal nail infections are contagious, so always ensure you keep your feet clean by washing them with soap and never share a towel or nail clippers to prevent the infection spreading to other members of your family;
• Fungal nail infections are often contracted in warm, damp places such as public swimming pools or saunas, so wearing flip- flops or a special sock may help to prevent them, or prevent spreading them if you are already suffering from them.

As with any medication, you should always follow any instructions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist when it comes to using Trosyl nail solution and double-check with them if you are not sure.

1. Make sure your nail is clean and dry;
2. Using the applicator, take the right amount of Trosyl nail solution out of the bottle;
3. Apply a thin layer over the whole of the affected nail, use the brush provided for optimum coverage;
4. Leave the solution to dry in the air for 10 to 15 minutes. The solution will leave a transparent, slightly greasy film on the nail so it will not look or feel completely dry. This film contains the antifungal agent which will slowly pass through the nail to attack the fungus beneath;
5. Try to keep the film intact for as long as possible to allow the active ingredient to work effectively;
6. Avoid placing your hands or feet (depending on where the infection is) in soapy water, as soap will remove the protective film, whereas water alone will not;
7. If the infection is on your fingernail and you need to wash anything by hand, try to wear rubber gloves to keep the soapy water away from your nail.

Treating a fungal nail infection can take around 6-to-12 months, so you will need to be patient and to keep applying Trosyl nail fluid twice daily.

In addition to the treatment with Trosyl, there are other things you can do to help speed up the recovery of your nail infection and prevent it from spreading to others or recurring.

• Keep your feet and hands clean and dry;
• Do not share towels, nail clippers or shoes;
• Wear clean socks every day;
• Do not wear shoes that prevent your feet from breathing;
• Get rid of old shoes;
• Wear flip-flops in showers and at the swimming pool;
• Treat athlete’s foot as soon as you get it;
• Keep your hands and feet away from warm and damp environments where possible.

If you suffer from diabetes or have a weakened immune system, you should consult a doctor if you have any kind of nail infection as this may have serious consequences.

Trosyl nail solution comes in a 283ml glass bottle and contains 28% tioconazole. Trosyl should be applied every 12 hours. You should use as much of the solution as you need to create a thin layer over the whole of the affected nail or nails. This will vary from person to person. The solution should be painted on in much in the same way that you would apply nail varnish. It will create a thin greasy film over the nail that will not run off when it has been left to dry for 10-15 minutes. It takes a long time to treat a fungal nail infection and you will need to keep applying the solution twice a day for 6-12 months until the infected part of the nail has grown out.

As with all medication, Trosyl nail solution does come with a risk of some side effects. Not everybody who uses this nail solution will experience them. If you do experience side effects, you should discuss them with your medical practitioner. A common side effect that may affect up to 1 in 10 people is swelling of the hands and feet. Less common side effects, affecting up to 1 in 100 people include rashes and skin irritation around the nail. These usually only occur during the first week or two of treatment and are short-lived, subsiding quickly once the skin gets used to the treatment.

Other possible side effects include:

• Allergic reaction (itching, dry skin, blisters on the skin and swelling around the face and eyes);
• Nail discolouration;
• Pain or burning sensation around the nail;
• Swelling;
• Tingling sensation in the hands or feet.

If you think you are suffering from a severe allergic reaction, have shortness of breath and swelling around the face, seek medical assistance immediately.

You should not use Trosyl nail solution if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you are planning to get pregnant as the effects on your unborn baby or breastfeeding baby are not fully known. Do not use Trosyl if you are allergic to the active ingredient tioconazole, or any of the other ingredients listed on the packet, or if you have ever had an allergic reaction to these in the past. There is no reason to avoid driving or operating heavy machinery whilst using Trosyl, neither do you need to worry about what you are eating and drinking.

Trosyl nail solution is not known to interact with any other medication, however, it is always wise to tell your doctor or pharmacist about any other medication you are taking, even herbal supplements.

You can buy Trosyl nail solution from any reputable pharmacy, either local or in supermarkets, or order from an online pharmacy and have your prescription delivered discreetly to your door.

No, you cannot buy Trosyl nail solution over the counter, you will need a prescription to purchase it. To get a prescription you will need an appointment with a doctor. You can make one at your local doctor’s surgery or have an online consultation from the comfort of your own home. The doctor will be able to assess whether Trosyl nail solution is the right medication for you at this time. There are treatments for fungal nail infections that are available over the counter, but Trosyl is not one of them.

Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (2017). Fungal Nail Infections | Fungal Diseases | CDC. [online] Cdc.gov. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/nail-infections.html [accessed 27 Nov 2019].

NHS (2017). Fungal nail infection. [online] nhs.uk. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Fungal-nail-infection/ [accessed 27 Nov 2019].

NICE (2018). Fungal skin infection – foot – NICE CKS. [online] Cks.nice.org.uk. Available at: https://cks.nice.org.uk/fungal- skin-infection-foot#!scenario [accessed 27 Nov 2019].