![Kevin Li, PhD, pictured with graduate student Kelly Smith, is researching new methods to deliver treatments for nail fungus.](https://www.uc.edu/news/articles/legacy/healthnews/2010/02/h9904/jcr:content/image.img.cq5dam.thumbnail.500.500.jpg/1534518038083.jpg)
College of Pharmacy Researcher Lands $900,000 Grant for Nail Fungus Study
CINCINNATI
-
Fungal nail disease can be an unsightly, painful and debilitating condition, with the only clinically recognized treatments being oral anti-fungal medicationswhich distribute through the entire bodyor a topical lacquer with a rigid application process and a 30 percent total cure rate.
Nail disease such as onychomycosis is usually not life threatening, but it is a quality of life issue, says UC researcher Kevin Li, PhD, an associate professor at the James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy.
Li is currently investigating methods to deliver medication once a week via gel and low electric current into and across the nail plate. The study is sponsored by a four-year, $900,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, about 12 percent of Americans suffer from some type of fungal nail disease. The toenails are affected most often because the feet stay in a dark and moist environment.
The fungus is also easily spread in showers or locker rooms. Symptoms can range from discoloration to losing the nail.
Li says, Its not just a matter of appearance. In serious cases, people cant wear shoes or button their clothes.
The problem with the oral medications, he says, is that they can lead to severe side effects such as liver toxicity and cannot be taken by everyone, such as people with low liver function.
You have to flood the whole body just to treat the fungus in and under the nail, he says, and the medicated lacquer has to be applied frequently and on schedule.
Both treatments, he says, also often take months to take effectif at all.
Unfortunately, once nail disease starts it can be persistent and patients dont always have the patience to follow the course of treatmentand even if they do, the fungus can still be resistant.
There is an unmet need for more effective treatment, Li says.
Lis ongoing research interests extend to drug delivery methods involving the skin, eyes and ears.
Other members of the research team working on this study are: professor Jerry Kasting, PhD, research assistant professor Jinsong Hao, PhD, and graduate student Kelly Smith. All are with the James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy.
Tags
Related Stories
Put down that beer; it's not a tanning lotion
![WVXU logo](/content/dam/refresh/uc-news/news-icons/dark/wvxu.png)
July 1, 2024
The University of Cincinnati's Kelly Dobos joined WVXU's Cincinnati Edition to discuss what's fact and what's myth when it comes to sunscreen use, different kinds of sunscreen and a social media recommendation to use beer on your skin to help get a tan.
Cincinnati researchers want to know if MRIs can work better
![WVXU logo](/content/dam/refresh/uc-news/news-icons/dark/wvxu.png)
June 28, 2024
WVXU and the Cincinnati Business Courier highlighted a new collaboration between the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, UC Health GE HealthCare, JobsOhio, REDI Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children’s to create an MRI Research and Development Center of Excellence located on UC’s medical campus.
New project aims to better support teen mothers in Adams County
![WCPO logo](/content/dam/refresh/uc-news/news-icons/dark/wcpo-dark.png)
June 27, 2024
WCPO highlighted a partnership between the University of Cincinnati and the Adams County Health Department that is aiming to provide better support for teen mothers in the county.