Methods for treating fungal infections

1. A method of treating a mycotic infection of a nail of a subject in need thereof, comprising topically applying to a nail of said subject an effective antimycotic amount of a fungicidal compound of the formula

description="In-line Formulae" end="lead"R—(O—CH2—CH2)n—OH description="In-line Formulae" end="tail"

wherein

R is a C12-C18 alkyl and n is 1 to 24.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein R is CH3(CH2)11 and n is 4.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein R is CH3(CH2)11 and n is 23.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein R is CH3(CH2)15 and n is 20.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein R is CH3(CH2)17 and n is 2.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein R is CH3(CH2)17, and n is 20.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein R is a straight-chain saturated hydrocarbon.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said mycotic infection is onychomycosis.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said subject is a human subject.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said nail is selected from the group consisting of finger nails and toe nails.

11. A method of treating a mycotic infection of the nails of a subject in need thereof, comprising topically applying to the nails of said subject an antifungal composition consisting essentially of:

a fungicidal compound of the formula R—(O—CH2-CH12)n-OH, wherein R is C12-C18 alkyl and n is 1 to 24, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable topical carrier.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein R is CH3(CH2)11 and n is 4.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein R is CH3(CH2)11 and n is 23.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein R is CH3(CH2)15 and n is 20.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein R is CH3(CH2)17 and n is 2.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein R is CH3(CH2)17, and n is 20.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein R is a straight-chain saturated hydrocarbon.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein said mycotic infection is onychomycosis.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein said subject is a human subject.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein said nail is selected from the group consisting of finger nails and toe nails.

21. A method of treating a mycotic infection of the nails of a subject in need thereof, comprising topically applying to the nails of said subject an effective antimycotic amount of a composition, said composition comprising a fungicidal compound of the formula:

description="In-line Formulae" end="lead"R—(O—CH2—CH2),—OH description="In-line Formulae" end="tail"

wherein R is a C12-C18 alkyl and n is 1 to 24; and

said composition is devoid of other antimycotic compounds.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein said composition is devoid of other antimycotic compound selected from the group consisting imidazole derivative compounds, quaternary ammonium compounds, allylamine compounds, and benzylamine compounds.

23. A composition useful for treating a mycotic infection in the nail of a subject in need thereof, said composition comprising:

(a) an effective antimycotic amount of a fungicidal compound of the formula

description="In-line Formulae" end="lead"R—(O—CH2—CH2)n—OH description="In-line Formulae" end="tail"

wherein R is C12-C18 alkyl and n is 1 to 24;

(b) a nail moisturizer; and

(c) water.

24. A composition according to claim 23, wherein said nail moisturizer is selected from the group consisting of hyaluronic acid, alpha hydroxy acids, petroleum jelly, ceramide, and lanolin.

25. A composition according to claim 23, further comprising:

(d) a nail hardener.

26. A composition according to claim 25, wherein said nail hardener is selected from the group consisting of biotin and zinc.