Healthy, beautiful nails are an integral part of a well-groomed person's image. During the greeting, the interlocutor pays attention to the shaking hands and unconsciously assesses their condition. Therefore, it is recommended to use nail polish as a preventive and therapeutic tool against nail fungus.
The principle of action of antifungal varnishes
The treatment lasts for several days after application to the nail.
Depending on the severity of the disease and the location of the fungal infection, doctors recommend different means and methods that will treat the fungus in the shortest possible time in each specific case. A good response was noted after using a special antifungal varnish at the initial stage of infection. The active components of the composition penetrate deep into the nail plate and can even kill fungal spores.
When applied, the nail plate softens, thereby improving the penetration of the treatment. After drying, the concentration of the antifungal drug in the affected tissues increases by 20% and lasts for seven days. The maximum concentration of the active substance is reached on the hands on the seventh day of using the lacquer and on the feet on the fourteenth day.
Manufacturers of antimycotic varnishes produce their products under different names, but the working principle of each of them is the same. Therapeutic antifungal varnishes are actively used to get rid of onychomycosis and prevent relapse of the disease. Such agents are also used very effectively to prevent fungal infections.
Nail fungus polish can be either alcohol or oil based. Regardless of the sequence, they are equally effective in preventing the spread of fungal infection. The main thing is to find out the type of pathogen in advance in order to choose the active component and its concentration correctly. Only in this case, the use of varnish will give the expected result.
The liquid consistency allows the active components of the varnish to penetrate into every microcrack of the treated surface for the most effective effect, even in the deepest layers of the nail plate. The active components of the varnish work most effectively at the initial stage of the development of the fungal infection. They destroy not only fungal cells, but also their spores. When dry, the composition covers the nail with an invisible film, which prevents the possibility of oxygen penetrating the remaining spores, which makes it impossible for them to reproduce further.
When caring for nails affected by fungus, it is necessary to use strictly personal tools that must be disinfected after each use. Otherwise, you may cause re-infection.
When treating nail fungus, it should be taken into account that the toenails can accumulate several times more medicinal substances than nails. At the same time, it is undesirable to use antifungal varnishes of different companies, because this leads to a decrease in the antifungal effect and a delay in the treatment process.
The good and the bad
Let's take a look at all the pros and cons of using nail polish against nail fungus. The treatment procedure itself requires preliminary preparation of the nails. It should be noted that most of the fungus is diagnosed on the feet. This is due to the fact that when wearing dirty, poor-quality or uncomfortable shoes, the feet are often exposed to a moist and warm environment, which in itself is favorable for the development of fungi.
Some of the most significant disadvantages of anti-fungal varnish are its high cost and the long preparation of the feet before using the product. These types of cheap drugs may indicate that they are fake, so you should not buy them.
During the treatment, it is necessary to completely abandon foot care procedures (pedicure, varnish, lotions and creams). These measures can lead to increased fungal growth and aggravation of the inflammatory process.
The positive aspects include the effectiveness of the product at the initial stage of the development of fungal diseases and the ease of application. An important advantage of this form of antimycotic drug is not only the ease of application, but also the formation of a durable film that "fixes" the active substance in the affected area and prevents it from being washed away.
We can also add a complete list of the pros of using:
- fixes the nail quickly;
- local effect without additional drugs;
- minimal toxicity;
- is available for free;
- easy to use;
- has a preventive effect;
- moves cautiously.
How to apply medicated varnishes correctly
Before using any nail polish for toenail fungus, you should prepare the infected surface. To do this, you need to wash your feet, preferably using laundry soap, and dry the skin with a natural cloth. If necessary, you can steam your nails in water with the addition of celandine or propolis tincture (for additional disinfection).
After that, you need to disinfect the surface of the nails and, using a special file that comes with the varnish, clean the affected surface of the nail and shorten its length. Only then can varnish be applied.
For those who are afraid to clean the nail plate themselves or do not want to remove it, there is an easier way to prepare the nail - a hygienic bath with a solution of soap and soda.
After the preparation of the infected nail is completed, an antimycotic agent is applied. Experts recommend performing the procedures at least once every 7 days. Before re-applying the varnish, the previous processing layer must be removed using a common solvent. Processing is carried out strictly according to the instructions that come with the kit, because each drug has its own nuances when used.
Which nail polish is better for nail fungus - a review of effective remedies
Often, patients ask their doctors which varnish is most effective against fungi. It is impossible to recommend the best varnish for nail fungus, depending on the individual characteristics of each person's body, the degree of infection and the type of fungus that causes it. Therefore, the same drug can manifest itself in completely different ways in different cases. Below is a list of the most effective drugs against nail fungus, but they should still be selected individually.
Cover with varnish with the active ingredient amorolfin
This is one of the cheapest drugs in the line of antifungal varnishes. Its price depends on the place of purchase. The therapeutic effect of this varnish is visible only at the initial stage of fungal development, when the nail has not lost its normal structure and does not affect more than one third of the nail plate. Otherwise, its use will be useless. A slight burning sensation may occur in the treatment areas during application.
Varnish with the active ingredient amorolfin hydrochloride
The same colorless varnish applied in a thin layer after removing the upper keratinized layer from the nail plate. The lacquer kit contains disposable nail files (12 pieces), applicators, cleaning pads and spatulas.
When used correctly, the drug inhibits ergosterol synthesis. As a result of such a failure, processes that have a destructive effect on the vital activity of fungal cells are started.
The varnish composition quickly penetrates the treated nail plate and reaches the maximum therapeutic effect after 24 hours. The active substance of the drug works within 10 days after the first use of the varnish. Lacquer works best in the early stages of the disease. After applying the drug, you should wait until the varnish is completely absorbed using a spatula. It only takes a few minutes. Next, the spatula is wiped with an alcohol wipe and folded into place.
Varnish with the active ingredient amorolfin hydrochloride - 64. 0 mg
This varnish against toenail fungus works well even in advanced cases of the disease. But he will not be able to please you with his prices. You will have to spend a lot of money to treat it with varnish. The active ingredient amorolfin is effective in the process of destroying yeast and mold fungi. If you strictly follow the treatment regimen, unpleasant symptoms will quickly disappear and the fungus will be completely destroyed.
This drug is often recommended as the most effective varnish against nail fungus. At the same time, it gives a pleasant smell, relieves inflammation, which leads to a decrease in itching and peeling. The course of treatment will be long and in advanced cases may last 4-6 months or even a year.
The nail polish tube comes with all the necessary accessories: wipes soaked in disinfectant, applicators and disposable nail files. The affected area of the nail is removed with a file, the surface is lubricated with a napkin before applying the drug, and applicators are used to carefully spread the product on the nail plate.
Lacquer with ciclopirox, the active ingredient
Before applying medicated varnish, it is necessary to pre-treat the nails
The main active substance ciclopirox has a wide spectrum of action and destroys the cells of various types of fungal pathogens. It can be used to treat mold, yeast, dermatomycetes and other types of fungi, parasitic bacteria.
The composition quickly penetrates into the deepest layers of the nail plate and nail bed and begins to actively destroy the fungus within a day of the first application.
The application pattern for this varnish is slightly different from other varnishes. In the first month, the medicine is applied every two days. In the second month of treatment - twice a week. For the third month of treatment, one treatment per week is sufficient.
Before applying varnish, you should thoroughly clean the affected surface of the nail and cut its length as much as possible with scissors. During the next application, the previous varnish layer is scraped off. The course of treatment should not exceed six months. For nail fungus, it is better to buy nail polish at the drugstore. In order not to buy fakes, do not trust dubious kiosks and stores, buy all medicines only in reliable places.
Side effects and contraindications
Even the best varnish for nail fungus on toes and hands has contraindications and negative reactions for use, so you should carefully study this section of the article. Antifungal varnish is a medical drug, therefore, like all drugs, it has a number of contraindications and possible negative reactions.
Contraindications include:
- preschool age;
- pregnancy and lactation process;
- individual intolerance to products that are part of antifungal varnish;
Adverse reactions include:
- unpleasant burning and redness at the application site (disappears by itself in a short time);
- development of contact dermatitis. Such a reaction can occur due to the imprecise distribution of the aggressive drug and its interaction with the delicate skin of the cuticle and periungual ridges.
Thoughts on varnishes
After reading a few reviews of people who have used varnishes to treat fungus, you can tell which varnish is better for nail fungus and which one does not help them at all or causes additional discomfort. You should not blindly believe all the reviews, but you can draw some conclusions about the treatment process.