Healthy, beautiful nails are an integral part of a well-groomed person's image. During the greeting, the interlocutor pays attention to the trembling of the hands 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 for many days after application to the nail.
Depending on the severity of the disease and the location of the fungal infection, doctors recommend different tools and techniques that will cure the fungus in the shortest possible time in each specific case. At the initial stage of the infection, a good reaction was observed after using a special antifungal varnish. The active components of the composition penetrate deep into the nail plate and can even destroy 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 persists for seven days. The maximum concentration of the active ingredient is reached on the seventh day of using the varnish on the hands and on the fourteenth day on the legs.
The manufacturers of antimycotic varnishes produce their products under different names, but they all have the same principle of operation. 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 varnish can be alcohol or oil based. Regardless of the consistency, they are equally effective in inhibiting the spread of fungal infection. The most important thing is to find out in advance the type of pathogen in order to correctly choose the active component and its concentration. Only in this case, the use of varnish gives 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 exert their effect most effectively in the initial development stage of the fungal infection. Not only the fungal cells, but also their spores are destroyed. When dry, the composition covers the nail with an imperceptible film layer, which prevents the penetration of oxygen into the remaining spores, which makes their further reproduction impossible.
When caring for fungal nails, strictly unique tools must be used, which must be disinfected after each use. Otherwise, it may trigger a re-infection.
When treating toenail fungus, it must be taken into account that many times more medicinal substances can accumulate in toenails than in fingernails. It is also not desirable to use antifungal varnishes from different companies at the same time, because this leads to a decrease in the antifungal effect and a delay in the treatment process.
Advantages and disadvantages
Let's look at all the pros and cons of using nail polish against nail fungus. The treatment procedure itself requires preliminary preparation of the nails. Note that the fungus is most often diagnosed on the feet. The reason for this is that when wearing dirty, poor-quality or uncomfortable shoes, the feet are often exposed to a moist and warm environment, which in itself favors the development of fungus.
One of the most important disadvantages of antifungal varnish is its high price and lengthy preparation of the feet before using the product. Cheap drugs of this type may indicate a fake, so do not buy them.
During the treatment, foot care procedures (pedicure, varnishing, use of body lotions and creams) must be completely abandoned. These measures can cause increased growth of the fungus and exacerbation of the inflammatory process.
The positive aspects include the effectiveness of the product in the initial stages of the development of fungal diseases and the ease of application. An important advantage of this form of antimycotic drug is not only the simple application, but also the formation of a durable film that "fixes" the active ingredient in the affected area and prevents it from being washed off.
We can also add a full list of positive aspects of use:
- quickly fixes the nail;
- local effect without additional drugs;
- minimal toxicity;
- freely available;
- easy to handle;
- has a preventive effect;
- acts sparingly.
How to properly apply medicated lacquers
Before using any nail polish against nail 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 steam the nails in water with the addition of celandine or propolis tincture (for further disinfection).
After that, the surface of the nail must be disinfected, and the affected surface of the nail must be cleaned and its length shortened with the help of a special file included with the varnish. Only then 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 soap and soda solution.
Once the preparation of the infected nail is complete, an antifungal agent is applied. Experts recommend that the procedures be carried out at least once every 7 days. Before re-applying the varnish, the previous treatment layer must be removed with a standard solvent. Processing is carried out strictly according to the instructions attached to the kit, since each drug has its own nuances during use.
Which nail polish is better against nail fungus - a review of effective remedies
Very often, patients ask their doctor which antifungal varnish is considered the most effective. It is impossible to recommend the best varnish against nail fungus due to the individual characteristics of each person's body, the extent of the 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.
Lacquer with active ingredient Amorolfin
This is one of the cheapest drugs in the line of antifungal varnishes. The 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 one third. Otherwise, its use will be useless. During the application, a slight burning sensation can be felt in the treated areas.
Varnish with amorolfine hydrochloride active ingredient
The same colorless varnish, which is applied in a thin layer after removing the upper keratinized layer from the nail plate. The set with varnish includes disposable nail files (12 pcs), applicators, cleaning sticks and spatulas.
When used correctly, the drug inhibits the synthesis of ergosterol. As a result of such a failure, processes are initiated that have a destructive effect on the vital activity of fungal cells.
The varnish composition quickly penetrates the treated nail plate and reaches the maximum therapeutic effect after 24 hours. The active ingredient of the drug works for 10 days after the first use of the varnish. Lacquer works best in the early stages of the disease. After applying the medicine, wait until the varnish is completely absorbed with a spatula. It only takes a few minutes. Then wipe the spatula with an alcohol wipe (tampon) and fold it back into place.
Lacquer with amorolfine hydrochloride active ingredient - 64. 0 mg
This nail fungus varnish also works well in advanced cases of the disease. But you won't be able to please with its prices. You have to spend a lot of money to treat it with varnish. The active ingredient of amorolfine is effective in killing yeasts and molds. If you strictly follow the treatment regimen, the unpleasant symptoms will quickly disappear and the fungi will be completely destroyed.
This medicine is often recommended as the most effective varnish against nail fungus. At the same time, it has a pleasant smell, removes inflammation, which leads to a decrease in itching and peeling. The treatment process will be long, in advanced cases it can take up to 4-6 months or even a year.
The nail polish tube comes with all the necessary accessories: disinfectant wipes, applicators and nail files for single use. 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 on the nail plate.
Varnish with ciclopirox active ingredient
Before applying the medicated varnish, the nails must be pre-treated
The main active ingredient of ciclopirox has a broad spectrum of action and destroys the cells of different types of fungal pathogens. It can be used to treat molds, yeasts, dermatomycetes and other types of fungi and parasitic bacteria.
The preparation 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 of this varnish is slightly different from other varnishes. In the first month, the drug is used every other day. In the second month of treatment - twice a week. In the third month of treatment, one treatment per week is sufficient.
Before applying the varnish, the affected surface of the nail must be thoroughly cleaned and cut as long as possible with scissors. During the next application, the previous varnish layer is removed by scraping. The duration of treatment should not exceed six months. Nail polish against nail fungus is better to buy in a pharmacy. Do not trust dubious stalls and shops, so as not to buy fakes, buy all medicines only in reliable places.
Side effects and contraindications
Even the best varnish against nail fungus on toes and hands has contraindications and side effects, so carefully study this paragraph of the article. Antifungal varnish is a medical drug, therefore, like all drugs, it has many contraindications and possible side effects.
Contraindications include:
- preschool age;
- pregnancy and breastfeeding process;
- individual intolerance to the products that are part of the antifungal varnish;
Side effects include:
- unpleasant burning and redness at the site of application (it goes away on its own 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 surrounding ribs.
Reviews of varnishes
After reading the opinions of people who used varnishes on themselves to treat the fungus, they can advise which varnishes are better for the treatment of nail fungus, and which ones did not help them at all or caused additional discomfort. You should not blindly believe all the reviews, but you can draw some conclusions about the treatment process.