Methods for treating nail infections

Abstract

Provided herein are methods for treating nail infections, in particular fungal nail infections, comprising applying a drug delivery system comprising a desiccant such as silica gel to an external surface of the infected nail.

1 . A method for treating an infected nail of a patient in need thereof, the method comprising applying a drug delivery system comprising a desiccant to an external surface of the infected nail, wherein the drug delivery system is in the form of a wrap designed to be conformable to a digit comprising the infected nail. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the desiccant is silica gel. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the wrap is a bandage configured to wrap around the digit comprising the infected nail, the bandage having an internal surface configured to be proximal to an external surface of the digit and an external surface configured to be distal to the external surface of the digit. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the digit is a finger or a toe. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the bandage is a sock-like or a thimble-like bandage. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the wrap comprises desiccant at a portion of the wrap, the portion of the wrap configured to be proximal to the external surface of the infected nail when the wrap is wrapped around the digit. 
     
     
         8 . The method of claim further comprising, prior to applying the drug delivery system to the external surface of the infected nail applying an effective amount of an anti-fungal or anti-bacterial composition on the patient. 
     
     
         9 . The method of claim wherein the anti-fungal composition comprises one or more compounds selected from a group consisting of polyenes, allylamines, azoles, and morpholines, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the antifungal composition comprises itraconzalone or terbinafine. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the antifungal composition is applied to the external surface of the infected nail. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the internal surface of the wrap is coated with an adhesive. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the wrap is removably attached to the digit. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the desiccant is contained in a removable package. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the drug delivery system is replaceable. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the drug delivery system is configured to be replaced daily. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the desiccant is fresh or regenerated desiccant. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the external surface of the wrap is coated with a water impermeable coating. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the drug delivery system further comprises a moisture indicator configured to indicate a level of moisture of the digit. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the wrap is configured to allow the moisture indicator to be assessed while the wrap is wrapped around the digit. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the wrap further comprises a port through which the moisture indicator can be assessed. 
     
     
         22 - 35 . (canceled)