Dispensing Pearl

Thymol in

Manish K. Shah Hon. Dermatologist, Bhatia General Hospital, Mumbai, India.

Address for correspondence: Dr. Manish K. Shah, 402, Sugan, 13, Cumballa Hill Lane, August Kranti Marg, Mumbai - 400036, India. E mail: [email protected]

Chronic paronychia is characterized by erythema and Thymol in chloroform in contemporary practice edema of the proximal nail fold and absence of the Patients with chronic paronychia should protect their cuticle generally in the fingernails of adult women. In cuticles from moisture for at least 3 months. Oral the majority of cases, Candida species can be isolated,1 fluconazole 150 mg once a week for a period of 12 but it appears that chronic paronychia represents a weeks is useful in eradicating the candidal . If contact reaction to irritants or allergens.2 Thymol (4%) edema or pain is associated, a topical corticosteroid in chloroform (or absolute ) is a very good cream for the first few days is helpful.3 Signs of acute adjunct in the treatment of chronic paronychia. inflammation are an indication for a course of an oral anti-staphylococcal antibiotic. THYMOL IN CHLOROFORM Along with these measures, 4% thymol in chloroform Thymol 1 ml topically works very well. It is a non-aqueous Chloroform to make 25 ml preparation that reaches the paronychial area by capillary action. It appears more logical to apply this Sig: Apply 2-3 times daily to the affected nail folds formulation since otherwise one asks the patient to restrict wet work, but apply antifungal preparations ROLE OF THE INGREDIENTS having an aqueous base.3 Absolute alcohol can be substituted for chloroform as a solvent. Some patients Thymol experience irritation and dryness, in which case the Thymol is an alkyl derivative of with bactericidal concentration of thymol can be reduced to 2%. and fungicidal properties.3 Although it is a more potent than phenol, its low water and REFERENCES irritancy tend to limit its use.4 1. Stone OJ, Mullins JF. Chronic paronychia: microbiology and Chloroform5 histopathology. Arch Dermatol 1962;86:324-7. Chloroform is a volatile fluid used as a solvent and for 2. Daniel CR III, Daniel MP, Daniel CM, Sullivan S, Ellis G. Chronic the preservation of mixtures and extracts. paronychia and onycholysis: a thirteen-year experience. Cutis 1996;58:397-401.

How to cite this article: Shah MK. Thymol in chloroform. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2004;70:129-30. Received: January, 2004. Accepted: February, 2004. Source of Support: Nil.

129 Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol March-April 2004 Vol 70 Issue 2 Shah MK: Thymol in chloroform

3. Arndt KA, Bowers KE. Manual of dermatologic therapeutics. Wilkinson/Ebling Textbook of dermatology. Oxford: Blackwell Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins; 2002. Science; 1998. 4. Griffiths WAD, Wilkinson JD. Topical therapy. In: Champion 5. Polano MK. Topical skin therapeutics. Edinburgh: Churchill RH, Burton JL, Burns DA, Breathnach SM, editors. Rook/ Livingstone; 1984.

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