Fungal diseases of the skin and nails are very contagious and spread rapidly. Fungal strains that are resistant to treatment therefore spread just as quickly. There are various reasons why pathogens are immune to certain drugs. This can occur at the molecular genetic level, but can also be due to individual factors in the host, i.e. the patient.
It is therefore important to quickly interrupt the spread of resistant fungi and treat them accordingly.
A reliable diagnosis is the be-all and end-all in such cases. Traditional methods like laboratory examinations and staining, as well as molecular identification methods, are still the first step in identifying the fungus. However, newer methods such as genome analysis and PCR procedures can also contribute to a rapid and correct diagnosis. In this way, possible terbinafine resistance can be determined even before the start of treatment.
Unfortunately, the fact that a fungus is resistant to terbinafine is becoming increasingly common. This often raises the question of what to do in such cases. According to experts, there are several options:
More strains of fungi that cause nail or skin infections are showing one or more forms of resistance. As with bacteria, this is a major problem worldwide. It is therefore important to treat these infections adequately and in a targeted manner in order to contain the spread of the immune strains and break the chain of resistance. If there is still immunity to drugs, combination therapies or changing the treatment regimen are possible options.