Method and apparatus for improving the appearance of nails affected by onychomycosis through the topical application of highly concentrated or supersaturated boric acid

Abstract

A toenail treatment kit for treating onychomycosis and improving nail appearance for persons suffering onychomycosis, including a highly concentrated or supersaturated solution of boric acid. The boric acid solution is poured into a soaking tray having a fluid reservoir for containing said boric acid solution and a footrest proximate the reservoir on which to expose toenails to the boric acid solution. The method of treating onychomycosis using the solution and soaking tray includes the steps of pretreating skin proximate the affected nails; preparing and maintaining a fresh supply of highly concentrated or supersaturated boric acid solution; pouring the boric acid solution into the soaking tray; and soaking the affected nails for a period of time between a few seconds up to 30 minutes at least once per day every day for a sufficiently long period of time for the condition to appreciably improve or to resolve.

1 . A toenail treatment kit for treating onychomycosis and improving nail appearance for persons suffering onychomycosis, comprising:
 one or more pre-measured packets of boric acid powder for preparing highly concentrated or supersaturated aqueous boric acid solution; and   a soaking tray having a fluid reservoir for containing said boric acid solution and a footrest proximate said fluid reservoir on which to expose toenails to said boric acid solution.   
     
     
         2 . The toenail treatment kit of  claim 1 , wherein said pre-measured packets further include a keratolytic agent. 
     
     
         3 . The toenail treatment kit of  claim 2 , wherein said keratolytic agent is urea. 
     
     
         4 . The toenail treatment kit of  claim 2 , wherein said keratolytic agent is salicylic acid. 
     
     
         5 . The toenail treatment kit of  claim 1 , wherein said pre-measured packets further include an antifungal agent. 
     
     
         6 . The toenail treatment kit of  claim 5 , wherein said antifungal agent is clotrimazole. 
     
     
         7 . The toenail treatment kit of  claim 5 , wherein said antifungal agent is tolnaftate. 
     
     
         8 . The toenail treatment kit of  claim 1 , wherein said pre-measured packets further include a fragrance. 
     
     
         9 . The toenail treatment kit of  claim 1 , wherein said pre-measured packets include iodine. 
     
     
         10 . The toenail treatment kit of  claim 1 , wherein said pre-measured packet include ethyl alcohol. 
     
     
         11 . The toenail treatment kit of  claim 1 , wherein said pre-measured packets include sulfur. 
     
     
         12 . The toenail treatment kit of  claim 1 , wherein said soaking tray includes an interior ramp that descends down to a small fluid reservoir for allowing the user to easily limit exposure of the foot to said boric acid solution to the forefoot or nail portion of the toes. 
     
     
         13 . The toenail treatment kit of  claim 1 , wherein said soaking tray includes a tamper proof lid. 
     
     
         14 . The toenail treatment kit of  claim 1 , wherein said boric acid solution includes iodine. 
     
     
         15 . The toenail treatment kit of  claim 14 , wherein said tamper proof lid includes front and rear latches that require coordinated handling in order to remove said lid. 
     
     
         16 . The toenail treatment kit of  claim 1 , wherein said soaking tray further includes one or more storage compartments. 
     
     
         17 . The toenail treatment kit of  claim 1 , wherein said kit further includes a nail brush. 
     
     
         18 . The toenail treatment kit of  claim 1 , wherein said kit further includes electric heating coils or elements disposed proximate said fluid reservoir for heating said boric acid solution. 
     
     
         19 . A method of treating onychomycosis and improving nail appearance for persons suffering onychomycosis, comprising the steps of:
 (a) before commencing the treatment regimen, treating the skin proximate the affected nails for fungal infection with a topical antifungal composition for a sufficiently long period of time to ensure that no skin fungal infection exists prior to commencing treatment with the boric acid solution;   (b) providing a soaking tray having a fluid reservoir and an angled footrest;   (c) preparing a highly concentrated or supersaturated boric acid solution a highly concentrated or supersaturated solution of boric acid comprising between 20 to 100% boric acid as a solute dissolved in water;   (d) pouring the boric acid solution into the soaking tray;   (e) trimming, filing, and maintaining the affected nails as short and as thin as possible during the treatment period; and   (f) soaking the affected nails for a period of time between a few seconds up to 30 minutes at least once per day every day for a sufficiently long period of time for the condition to appreciably improve or to resolve.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further including the step of keeping the affected nails dry and not exposed to water for one hour prior to treatment and two hours after treatment. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , further including the step of using a brush to scrub the nails while they are soaking in the boric acid solution. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , further including the step of continuing the soaking treatments an additional four months after the condition has resolved. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , further including the step of heating the boric acid solution before use. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the antifungal composition employed in step (a) is either terbinafine hydrochloride cream or clotrimazole cream.