A Comparative study of ozonized olive oil versus tazarotene gel in the treatment of onychomycosis

Abstract

Background: Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nail bed that may end in nail dystrophy. Topical ozonized oil was reported to have antifungal effects. It delivers oxygen that kill fungus and bacteria. Tazarotene has anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating activities.

Objective: Evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical ozonized olive oils compared to topical tazarotene in patients with onychomycosis Methods: This study included 32patients with onychomycosis. Patients were assigned into two groups; group I treated topically with ozonized oil, group II applied topical 0.1% tazarotene gel. Both medications were applied for 3 months. Patients were followed up for 6 months. Assessment was based on clinical and mycological evaluation by analysis of the culture taken before and after treatment.

Results: The mycological clearance at the end of treatment (12 weeks) occurred in 12 patients (75%) in group 1(ozonized oil) compared to 9 patients (56.25%) in group2 (tazarotene) (p<0.03). There was a significant improvement of all clinical parameters of the affected nails in both groups (P<0.001). Recurrence occurred in one patient (8.3%) in ozonized group and 2patients (33.3%) in tazarotene group.

Conclusion: Ozonized oil and tazarotene are new, safe, and effective in the treatment of onychomycosis but ozonized oil has a higher therapeutic effect.