Abstract: Fungal nail infections are treated by depriving aerobic fungi of oxygen by forming an oxygen barrier over the exposed surface of an infected nail. Conveniently, the oxygen barriers are formed by applying a liquid film-forming carrier comprising an oxygen-scavenging substance, such as transition metal chelate or complex of salicylic acid or a salicylate, an oxidizable organic acid or alcohol in combination with a catalyzing agent, or a polycarboxylic acid chelate or complex of a transition metal or transition metal salt.

Abstract: An oxygen scavenging composition of a carrier, such as a polymer, which is permeable to both oxygen and water or water vapor and an oxygen scavenging compound of an organic compound or salt thereof dispersed relatively uniformly throughout the polymer in an amount effective to act as an oxygen scavenger. The oxygen scavenging compound is a salicylic acid chelate or complex of a transition metal or a salt thereof. The oxygen scavenging composition is activated for scavenging oxygen by contact with water or water vapor which permeates into or through the carrier. A reducing agent of an ascorbate compound may be added to enhance the performance of the salicylic acid chelate or complex. The oxygen scavenging compound may be added to the composition in a dry state, and is inactive until activated for oxygen scavenging by contact with water or water vapor.