It doesn't show up in most until later in life. My mother's began at
about age 40 and proceeded slowly until her death 45 years later, from
congestive heart failure, not from the nail problem. Other than being
ugly, it doesn't do anything adverse. At least mine doesn't.
Podiatrists aren't MDs. They are a long way from it. They have about
four years of post high school training, and some intern type training.
They wouldn't be remotely capable of monitoring the possible adverse
side effects of a drug like Penlac years on end and when the side
effects occured they wouldn't know what to do about them. Podiatrists
can be money hungry; many of them are sincere honest providers. Make
sure you are seeing one in the latter category.
There used to be a keratin dissolving product by prescription that
dissolved the excess keratin on the toenail. It was taken off the market
by the FDA.
PENLAC™ NAIL LACQUER (ciclopirox) Topical Solution, 8%, is topical and I
suspect has the same limitations of any topical antifungal drug for the
reasons I gave above. You treat the nail. You don't get to the heart of
the problem. The last time I asked my dermatologist this question that
is essentially the answer I received.
Based on your query, I am going to see a podiatrist and reask the
question. Meanwhile look at:
http://www.pdr.net/display.jsp?url=20800600.htm&productname=Penlac%20Nail%20Lacq
uer,%20Topical%20Solution%20
Obviously, penlac isn't something you want to jump right into.
I will report back, though with my HMO it will take some time.
Cheers,
Kent