Healthy and beautiful nails are an integral part of the image of a well-groomed person. During a greeting, the interlocutor pays attention to the hands when they tremble and unconsciously assesses their condition. That is why it is recommended to use nail polish against nail fungus as a preventive and therapeutic agent.
The principle of action of antifungal varnishes
The treatment lasts 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 techniques that, in each specific case, will cure the fungus as soon as possible. At the initial stage of infection, a good reaction was noted after using a special antifungal varnish. The active components of the composition penetrate deep into the nail plate and can even kill fungal spores.
During application, the nail plate softens, improving the penetration of the treatment. After drying, the concentration of the antifungal drug in the affected tissues increases by 20% and persists for seven days. The maximum concentration of the active substance is reached on the seventh day of using the varnish on the hands and on the fourteenth day on the feet.
Manufacturers of antimycotic varnishes produce their products under different names, but the principle of operation of each of them is identical. Therapeutic antifungal varnishes are actively used to eliminate onychomycosis and prevent relapses of the disease. To prevent fungal infections, these agents are also used very effectively.
Anti-fungal nail polish can be alcohol or oil based. Regardless of their consistency, they are equally effective in inhibiting the spread of fungal infections. The main thing is to know in advance the type of pathogen in order to correctly select the active component and its concentration. Only in this case will the use of varnish give the expected result.
The liquid consistency allows the active components of the varnish to penetrate into each microcrack of the treated surface for a more effective effect even on the deepest layers of the nail plate. The active components of the varnish work most effectively at the initial stage of the development of a fungal infection. They destroy not only fungal cells, but also their spores. When dry, the composition covers the nail with an imperceptible film, which blocks the possibility of oxygen penetration into the remaining spores, making their further reproduction impossible.
When caring for nails affected by fungus, it is necessary to use strictly individual tools, which must be disinfected after each use. Otherwise, you can cause reinfection.
When treating nail fungus, it should be taken into account that toenails can accumulate several times more medicinal substances than fingernails. It is also undesirable to use antifungal varnishes from different companies at the same time, as this leads to a decrease in the antifungal effect and a delay in the treatment process.
Advantages and disadvantages
Let's consider all the positive and negative aspects of using nail polish for nail fungus. The treatment procedure itself requires preliminary preparation of the nails. Note that the fungus is most often 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 humid and warm environment, which in itself is favorable for the development of fungus.
Some of the most significant disadvantages of antifungal varnish are its high price and the long preparation of the feet before using the product. Cheap drugs of this type may indicate counterfeiting, so you should not buy them.
During treatment, it is necessary to completely abandon foot care procedures (pedicure, varnish, use of lotions and creams). These measures can cause increased growth of the fungus and worsening of the inflammatory process.
The positive aspects include the effectiveness of the product at the initial stage of development of fungal diseases and ease of application. An important advantage of this form of antimycotic drug is not only 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 off.
We can also add a whole list of positive aspects of use:
- quickly attaches to the nail;
- local effect without additional drugs;
- minimal toxicity;
- is over the counter;
- easy to use;
- has a preventive effect;
- act sparingly.
How to properly apply medicinal varnishes
Before using nail polish for toenail fungus, you need to prepare the infected surface. To do this, you need to wash your feet, preferably with laundry soap, and dry the skin with a natural cloth. If necessary, you can spray your nails in water with the addition of celandine tincture or propolis (for additional disinfection).
Next, 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 after this can the 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.
Once preparation of the infected nail is complete, an anti-mycotic agent is applied. Experts recommend carrying out the procedures at least once every 7 days. Before reapplying the varnish, the previous treatment layer must be removed using a regular solvent. Treatment is carried out strictly according to the instructions supplied with the kit, since each drug has its own nuances when used.
Which nail polish is best for nail fungus - a review of effective remedies
Very often, patients ask their doctor which varnish against fungus is considered the most effective. It is impossible to recommend the best varnish for toenail fungus due to the individual characteristics of each person's body, the degree of infection and the type of fungus that causes it. Therefore, the same drug in different cases can manifest itself in completely different ways. Below we present a list of the most effective drugs for nail fungus, but they should still be selected individually.
Varnish with the active ingredient amorolfine
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 appears only at the initial stage of fungal development, when the nail has not lost its normal structure and the nail plate is not affected by more than a third. Otherwise, its use will be useless. During application, a slight burning sensation may be felt in the areas to be treated.
Varnish with the active ingredient amorolfine hydrochloride
The same colorless varnish, which is applied in a thin layer after removing the upper keratinized layer of the nail plate. The polish set includes disposable nail files (12 pieces), applicators, cleaning pads and spatulas.
When used correctly, the drug inhibits the synthesis of ergosterol. As a result of such a failure, processes are launched that have a destructive effect on the vital activity of fungal cells.
The varnish composition quickly penetrates into the treated nail plate and after 24 hours reaches the maximum therapeutic effect. The active ingredient of the drug acts for 10 days after the first use of the varnish. Varnish works best in the early stages of the disease. After applying the medicine, using a spatula, you must wait until the varnish is completely absorbed. A few minutes are enough for this. Then the spatula is wiped with an alcohol swab (stem) and bent into place.
Varnish with the active ingredient amorolfine hydrochloride - 64. 0 mg
This varnish against toenail fungus works well even in advanced cases of the disease. But it will not please you with its prices. To undergo varnish treatment, you will have to spend a lot of money. The active ingredient amorolfine is effective in the process of destroying yeast and mold. If you strictly adhere to the treatment regimen, the unpleasant symptoms will quickly disappear and the fungi will be completely destroyed.
This medication is often recommended as the most effective polish for nail fungus. At the same time it smells good, it relieves inflammation, which leads to a reduction in itching and flaking. The duration of treatment will be long and, in advanced cases, can last up to 4-6 months or even up to a year.
The tube of varnish comes with all the necessary accessories: wipes soaked in disinfectant, applicators and single-use nail files. The affected area of the nail is removed with a file, the surface is degreased with a napkin before applying the drug and applicators are used to carefully distribute the product over the nail plate.
Varnish with the active ingredient ciclopirox
Before applying medicated varnish, nails must be pre-treated
The main active ingredient, ciclopirox, has a wide spectrum of action and destroys 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 actively begins to destroy the fungus a day after the first application.
The application pattern of this varnish is somewhat different from other varnishes. The first month the medicine is applied every other day. During 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 carefully clean the affected surface of the nail and cut its length as much as possible with scissors. During the next application, the previous layer of varnish is scraped off. The duration of treatment should not exceed six months. It is best to buy nail polish against nail fungus at the pharmacy. Do not trust dubious stalls and stores, so as not to buy fakes, buy all medicines only in trusted places.
Side effects and contraindications
Even the best varnish against nail fungus on toes and hands has contraindications for use and side effects, so you should carefully study this paragraph of the article. Antifungal varnish is a medical medicine. Therefore, like all medications, it has a number of contraindications and possible side effects.
Contraindications include:
- preschool age;
- pregnancy and breastfeeding process;
- individual intolerance to products used in the composition of antifungal varnish;
Side effects include:
- unpleasant burning sensation and redness at the site of application (disappear on their own in a short time);
- development of contact dermatitis. Such a reaction may occur due to inaccurate distribution of the aggressive drug and its interaction with the delicate skin of the cuticle and periungual ridges.
Opinions on varnishes
After reading several reviews of people who used varnishes on themselves to treat fungus, we can advise you which varnish for nail fungus is better and which one did not help them at all or caused additional inconvenience. You should not blindly believe all reviews, but you can draw some conclusions about the treatment process.