Onychomycosis Treatment Market

Market Overview

The global onychomycosis treatment market size was valued at USD 2.76 Billion in 2021. It is projected to reach USD 4.51 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.61% during the forecast period (2022-2030). 

A fungal illness called onychomycosis that affects the fingernails and toenails causes discomfort, ongoing agony, and ugliness. Onychomycosis comes in various forms, including proximal subungual, white superficial, and distal subungual. Athlete's foot patients frequently get this nail infection from multiple microorganisms, including dermatophytes, yeasts, and non-dermatophyte molds. The signs of onychomycosis include distorted nail shapes, an unpleasant odor, pale to yellow-brown discoloration, and brittle, ragged, and crumbly nail textures. Typically, nail clippings and biopsies are cultured, and potassium, oxygen, and hydrogen (KOH) tests are used to diagnose it. It can be treated with medicine, photodynamic treatments, laser therapy, and other methods.

Market Dynamics

Global Onychomycosis Treatment Market Drivers

Rising Prevalence of Onychomycosis Worldwide

Onychomycosis, sometimes referred to as tinea unguium, is a fungal infection of the fingernails or toenails that can affect the matrix, bed, or plate of the nail. This condition may lead to pain, discomfort, disfigurement, and significant problems that might lower one's quality of life. Different kinds of onychomycosis exist, including total dystrophic onychomycosis, endonyx onychomycosis, distal and lateral subungual onychomycosis, and proximal subungual onychomycosis. About one-third of all fungal skin diseases is onychomycosis.

Onychomycosis signs and symptoms include nail discoloration ranging from white to yellow-brown, thicker and twisted forms, brittle nails, crumbly or ragged nails, and a faintly unpleasant odor. Diabetes, circulatory issues, a compromised immune system, psoriasis, excessive sweating, decreased blood flow, long years of exposure to fungi, and slower-growing nails are some factors that can increase the chance of getting nail fungus. These factors are anticipated to drive global onychomycosis treatment market growth.

Growing Awareness about the Potential Threats of Onychomycosis

Onychomycosis is a significant health issue that can harm a person's quality of life by causing pain, discomfort, and physical impairment. In addition, onychomycosis-related psychological and social constraints may jeopardize one's ability to function in both the job and social worlds. A significant effort is underway to increase public awareness of the risks posed by onychomycosis on a national and international level. Increased awareness initiatives may also influence the growth of onychomycosis treatments.

The relative popularity of several terms related to fungus infections and treatments was assessed globally using Google Trends. This finding suggests that summertime is the busiest time for searches pertaining to onychomycosis, a toenail fungus, and its accompanying treatments. When a product is introduced, the focus of an advertising campaign or becomes more publicly accessible to the general public due to approval or reclassification, interest in specific treatments peaks.

Global Onychomycosis Treatment Market Restraint

Side Effects Associated with Onychomycosis Treatment Drugs

Onychomycosis therapies are frequently administered to patients; however, these drugs can have adverse effects in addition to being used to cure the illness. These adverse effects are often minor and transient. The most frequent side effects of topical treatments for onychomycosis include mild burning sensations, itching, and redness. Other adverse effects could include nausea, diarrhea, rash, altered taste, itching, and indigestion.

The two medications that are used the most frequently to treat this illness are Kerydin (Tavaborole Topical) and Lamisil (Terbinafine). However, the adverse effects of these medications are limiting market expansion. Additionally, it has been discovered that using fake drugs to treat fungi might have many negative side effects on the patient's body. Thus, the effects of the medications used to treat onychomycosis have limited the market's growth.

Global Onychomycosis Treatment Market Opportunities

Improvements in the Healthcare Infrastructure

One of the main drivers propelling the market's expansion is the rising frequency of chronic illnesses such as onychomycosis, HIV, diabetes, and peripheral artery disease (PAD). In addition, the growing elderly population, which is more susceptible to circulation problems and immune system deterioration, is fueling market expansion. Due to increased exposure to public swimming pools and tight, dirty, or filthy clothing, shoes, and socks, onychomycosis is also very common among millennials and adults.

Additionally, developing delivered, water-soluble antifungal treatment solutions boost the market growth. They help to stop the spread of fungal and secondary bacterial infections. It is projected that additional factors, such as the widespread use of topical nail lacquers and ointments to maintain nail hygiene and the notable advancements in the healthcare infrastructure, will propel the market toward growth.

Regional Analysis

The global onychomycosis treatment market is bifurcated into four regions, namely North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.

North America Dominates the Global Market

North America is the most significant revenue contributor in the global onychomycosis treatment market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.11% during the forecast period. Due to the rising elderly population, onychomycosis prevalence, significant market participants, and the increasing frequency of other conditions that can contribute to onychomycosis, the United States is predicted to dominate the global market for onychomycosis therapy over the forecast period. In the United States, diabetes is a severe condition that is becoming more prevalent. Patients with diabetes frequently experience foot issues due to neuropathy, vascular insufficiency, and other related illnesses. Due to significantly lowered immune levels, people with persistent diabetes-related diseases can quickly develop fungal infections on their toenails.

Some of the world's largest academic and research institutions, pharmaceutical firms, and universities are in the United States. There will be a rise in demand for onychomycosis treatment alternatives as businesses invest more money in the R&D of their products. In addition, the Canadian market is well-established and has both local and international competitors. The nation boasts an improved healthcare system that offers top-notch services. The prevalence of onychomycosis is rising, especially among young, old, and diabetic patients, according to the study "Toenail Onychomycosis-A Canadian Approach," which involved a sizable sample of Canadian onychomycosis patients who visited podiatrist and chiropodist clinics.

Europe is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.24%, generating USD 1,256.76 million during the forecast period. In addition to rising onychomycosis prevalence, the German onychomycosis treatment market is expanding due to increased R&D efforts, supportive pharmaceutical legislation, and other factors. The nation also boasts many healthcare-related businesses, a high prevalence of diabetes cases, and a sizable elderly population. The onychomycosis treatment market share is expanding quickly because the United Kingdom has a robust healthcare system and an expanding pharmaceutical sector. The country's huge older population, high prevalence of diabetes, and the abundance of clinics and hospitals that provide treatment alternatives all contribute to the market's increased profitability.

Numerous businesses and clinics in the UK provide onychomycosis treatment alternatives. To treat fungal nail disorders such as onychomycosis, the Hampshire, United Kingdom-based business Compleet Feet began selling laser technology in March 2020. It provides several different alternatives for treating the illness. Additionally, laser treatments for onychomycosis have been made available by the UK-based A&A Podiatrists. It treats patients with two other lasers: the PinPointe FootLaser and the Lunula. It is anticipated that businesses like these will provide treatment choices that will accelerate market expansion over the forecast period.

Asia-Pacific is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period. The epidemiological characteristics of fungal infections have experienced significant changes worldwide, particularly in China, due to the rise in immunocompromised hosts. Onychomycosis was most common in Eastern and Southern China, according to Min Chen's analysis of the epidemiology of fungal diseases in China. In addition, T. rubrum was the most frequent fungus responsible for onychomycosis in most of China. The two-stage Long-pulsed Nd: YAG 1064-nm laser treatment for onychomycosis was highly effective, with both mycological clearance and clinical efficacy significantly increased. Such efficacy studies promote treatment demand in China, hence accelerating market expansion.

Future projections indicate that Australia's senior population will grow, increasing the burden of onychomycosis infections and the need for their treatment. The International Diabetes Federation estimates that there will be around 1,288,300 cases of adult diabetes in Australia in 2020, representing a prevalence of 7.3%. The danger of getting this fungus infection rises as the number of people with diabetes rises, propelling market expansion.

A paper titled "Extensive onychomycosis in a patient with Good Syndrome," published in Ghadah AlHammad of King Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia presented a patient with Good Syndrome who had been diagnosed with extensive candidal onychomycosis. The patient had myasthenia gravis and a history of thymoma removal. Additionally, laboratory tests revealed extremely low B-cells, CD4 helper T-cells, and decreased CD4/CD8, all of which were consistent with the anomalies associated with Good Syndrome described in the literature. Onychomycosis with extreme variations is unusual in that it may be a sign of immunodeficiency.

In the Middle East and Africa, Mundipharma and Moberg Pharma have a contract in place for the commercialization of Emtrix, the leading treatment for nail fungus, including onychomycosis and nail psoriasis. The market is expected to develop over the forecast due to continuous research, rising awareness, increased immunocompromised patients, and partnerships. Onychomycosis treatment demand is predicted to expand at a healthy rate in Argentina due to increasing rates of diabetes, onychomycosis prevalence, and the aging population. The market is anticipated to grow as more people are projected to get onychomycosis, increasing demand for treatment choices at the abovementioned clinics.

Segmental Analysis

The global onychomycosis treatment market is segmented by treatment type and type.

Based on treatment type, the global market is bifurcated into drugs, laser therapy, and photodynamic therapy.

The drugs segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.43% during the forecast period. The products' highly effective and widespread availability is expected to cause them to exhibit a similar pattern during the projection period. Terbinafine, ciclopirox, Jublia, fluconazole, Penlac, Ciclodan, ketoconazole, Sporanox, itraconazole, Kerydin, efinaconazole, griseofulvin, and other medications are some of those that are available to treat onychomycosis. Due to their consistently high success rate, medicines continue to hold a significant market share for the treatment of onychomycosis.

Additionally, the segmental growth is projected to benefit from drug approval and strategic measures taken by significant market competitors to treat onychomycosis. For Instance, DongKoo is given exclusive rights under the agreement to promote and distribute MOB-015 in the Republic of Korea. Moberg Pharma created and sold a leading OTC medication for onychomycosis, which served as the basis for the domestically produced topical terbinafine formulation MOB-015. The primary driving forces in the medicines market are the rise in product approvals, the expansion of treatment choices for the ailment, and the rising public awareness of the disease's early detection.

In laser treatment, coherent light energy of a specific wavelength and a suitable power is produced by lasers. When projected into the tissue, this energy is differently absorbed by the target material, creating heat and ultimately damaging tissues. Laser therapy has fewer adverse effects than topical and oral treatments, making it a more viable option for treating the illness in people with diabetes, elderly individuals with drug intolerance, and people with liver and kidney disorders. The treatment influences the structural integrity of the fungus strain and improves immune system functions. Short pulse Nd: YAG lasers, Long pulse Nd: YAG lasers, Q-switched lasers, Dual Wavelength Diode lasers, Solid State Lasers, and Fractional CO2 Lasers are just a few of the laser types utilized to treat onychomycosis.

Based on type, the global market is bifurcated into distal subungual onychomycosis, white superficial onychomycosis, proximal subungual onychomycosis, and other types.

The distal subungual onychomycosis segment owns the highest market share and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.69% during the forecast period. The proximal edge of the onycholysis region is jagged in distal subungual onychomycosis, and yellow-white spikes protrude into the proximal nail plate. The presence of yellow patches and dermatophytosis is more prominent, and proximal advancement can be more accurately determined. A green discoloration indicates subsequent colonization with pseudomonas.

Melanin-producing fungi produce nails with uniform brownish pigmentation that lacks longitudinal streaks and melanin granules. Trichophyton rubrum, which enters the nail bed and the bottom of the nail plate, starting at the hyponychium and moving proximally via the underlying nail matrix, is typically the culprit behind the infection. Toenails, fingernails or both may become infected with distal subungual onychomycosis. Distal superficial onychomycosis susceptibility may run in families in an autosomal dominant form. According to "Cutaneous and subcutaneous mycoses," a research article published in the journal ScienceDirect, the most prevalent kind of onychomycosis, accounting for 58–85% of all cases worldwide, is distal subungual onychomycosis.

In the case of white superficial onychomycosis (WSO), the nail plate serves as the predominant site of invasion. The nail bed and hyponychium are next affected by the infection. T. mentagrophytes, which have the enzymes necessary to break down and infiltrate the nail plate immediately, is the primary culprit and the most commonly responsible for this condition in toenails.

Both C. Albicans and Microsporum Versicolor can occasionally cause an infection in children. Nondermatophyte molds, such as Aspergillus terreus, Fusarium oxysporum, or Acremonium species, may potentially be the source of WSO. This type of T. rubrum presentation in youngsters has been documented. The nail becomes brittle, fragile, and inflexible in those ill. Patients with immunosuppression (such as those with AIDS) or young toddlers with fragile toe plates are more likely to have it. Treatment for this kind of WSO entails mechanically removing the white plaque and applying topical antifungal medications until the patient is clinically and mycologically cured.

Recent Developments

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