| DISPENSING PEARL |
|
|
|
| Year : 2004 | Volume
: 70
| Issue : 2 | Page : 129-130 |
Thymol in chloroform
Shah MK
Hon. Dermatologist, Bhatia General Hospital, Mumbai
Correspondence Address:
402, Sugan, 13, Cumballa Hill Lane, August Kranti Marg, Mumbai - 400036
appletrue@hathway.com
How to cite this article:
Shah MK. Thymol in chloroform. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2004;70:129-30 |
Chronic paronychia is characterized by erythema and edema of the proximal nail fold and absence of the cuticle generally in the fingernails of adult women. In the majority of cases, Candida species can be isolated,[1] but it appears that chronic paronychia represents a contact reaction to irritants or allergens.[2] Thymol (4%) in chloroform (or absolute alcohol) is a very good adjunct in the treatment of chronic paronychia.
| Thymol in chloroform | |  |
Thymol 1 ml
Chloroform to make 25 ml
Sig: Apply 2-3 times daily to the affected nail folds
| Role of the ingredients | | |
Thymol
Thymol is an alkyl derivative of phenol with bactericidal and fungicidal properties.[3] Although it is a more potent antiseptic than phenol, its low water solubility and irritancy tend to limit its use.[4]
Chloroform[5]
Chloroform is a volatile fluid used as a solvent and for the preservation of mixtures and extracts.
Thymol in chloroform in contemporary practice
Patients with chronic paronychia should protect their cuticles from moisture for at least 3 months. Oral fluconazole 150 mg once a week for a period of 12 weeks is useful in eradicating the candidal infection. If edema or pain is associated, a topical corticosteroid cream for the first few days is helpful.[3] Signs of acute inflammation are an indication for a course of an oral anti-staphylococcal antibiotic.
Along with these measures, 4% thymol in chloroform topically works very well. It is a non-aqueous preparation that reaches the paronychial area by capillary action. It appears more logical to apply this formulation since otherwise one asks the patient to restrict wet work, but apply antifungal preparations having an aqueous base.[3] Absolute alcohol can be substituted for chloroform as a solvent. Some patients experience irritation and dryness, in which case the concentration of thymol can be reduced to 2%.
| References | | |
| 1. | Stone OJ, Mullins JF. Chronic paronychia: microbiology and histopathology. Arch Dermatol 1962;86:324-7.  [PUBMED] |
| 2. | Daniel CR III, Daniel MP, Daniel CM, Sullivan S, Ellis G. Chronic paronychia and onycholysis: a thirteen-year experience. Cutis 1996;58:397-401. |
| 3. | Arndt KA, Bowers KE. Manual of dermatologic therapeutics. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins; 2002. |
| 4. | Griffiths WAD, Wilkinson JD. Topical therapy. In: Champion RH, Burton JL, Burns DA, Breathnach SM, editors. Rook/Wilkinson/Ebling Textbook of dermatology. Oxford: Blackwell Science; 1998. |
| 5. | Polano MK. Topical skin therapeutics. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone; 1984. |
|
