Korean J Dermatol.  1982 Dec;20(6):845-851.

Nail Avulsion by Potassium Iodide Treatment in Onychomycosis

• Kim K
• Kwon KS
• Chung TA

Abstract

The effect of 50 per cent potassium iodide (KI) ointment with occlusive dressing on onychomycosis of the fingers and toes was studiei in 54 patients with 176 diseased nails. The results obtained were as follows. 1. Of a total of 76 fingernails and 100 toenails in 54 patients, all fingernails and toenails showed an excellent response with easy removal of the diseased nails. 2. The duration that the occluded KI aintment remained in place before successful avulsion was 6. 6 (range, 3 to 18) days for fingernails, and 6. 8 (range, 3 to 20) days for toenails with onychomycosis. 8. Of 16 nails of control group which were treated with vaseline, none showed the significant improvement. 4. The problems during this treatment were; mild irritation and/or itching (9 cases), and pin-point bleeding on curettage of nail bed (18 cases). It is suggested that the KI treatment has many advantages and seemed to be an ideal method of treatment of onychomycosis.

MeSH Terms

Curettage
Fingers
Hemorrhage
Humans
Nails
Occlusive Dressings
Onychomycosis*
Petrolatum
Potassium Iodide*
Potassium*
Pruritus
Toes
Petrolatum
Potassium
Potassium Iodide