Healthy, beautiful nails are an integral part of the image of a well-groomed person.When greeting, the interlocutor pays attention to the hands during handshake and unconsciously assesses their condition.That is why it is recommended to use varnishes against nail fungus as a preventive and therapeutic agent.
How anti-mildew varnish works
Depending on the severity of the disease and the location of the fungal infection, doctors will recommend different methods and techniques to cure the fungus in the shortest possible time, depending on each specific situation.In the early stages of infection, it responds well to the application of a special antifungal varnish.The active ingredients of this composition penetrate deeply into the nail plate and even kill fungal spores.
When applied, the nail plate softens, thus improving the penetration of the treatment.After drying, the concentration of antifungal drugs in the affected tissue increased by 20% and continued for 7 days.The maximum concentration of active substances is reached on the seventh day of application of varnish on hands and on the fourteenth day of application of varnish on feet.
Antifungal varnish manufacturers produce their products under different names, but the principle of operation of each product is the same.Therapeutic antifungal varnishes are actively used to eliminate onychomycosis and prevent recurrence of the disease.To prevent fungal infections, the use of such agents is also very effective.
Nail fungus varnish can have an alcohol or oil base.Regardless of consistency, they are equally effective at inhibiting the spread of fungal infections.The main thing is to find out the type of pathogen in advance so that the active ingredient and its concentration can be selected correctly.Only in this case, the use of varnish will achieve the desired effect.
The liquid consistency allows the varnish's active ingredients to penetrate into every micro-crack of the surface being treated, creating maximum effective impact on even the deepest layers of the nail plate.The active ingredients of varnish are most effective during the initial stages of the development of fungal infections.They destroy not only fungal cells but also their spores.Once dry, the composition coats the nails with an imperceptible film that blocks the possibility of oxygen penetrating the remaining spores, thus rendering them unable to reproduce further.
When caring for fungal-infected nails, separate tools must be strictly used and must be disinfected after each use.Otherwise, reinfection may occur.
When treating onychomycosis, it should be taken into account that toenails accumulate many times more pharmaceutical substances than fingernails.It is also not advisable to use antifungal varnishes from different companies at the same time, as this leads to a decrease in antifungal effect and delays the treatment process.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Let’s consider all the positive and negative aspects of using nail polish to fight nail fungus.The treatment process itself requires initial preparation of the nails.Note that most often the fungus is diagnosed on the feet.This is because when wearing dirty, low-quality, or uncomfortable shoes, the feet are constantly exposed to moist, warm conditions, which in itself is conducive to fungal growth.
Some of the most important disadvantages of antifungal varnish are their price and the lengthy foot preparation required before using the product.Cheap medications of this type may indicate that they are counterfeit, so you should not purchase them.
During treatment, it is necessary to completely abandon the foot care routine (pedicure, nail polish, use of lotions and creams).These measures can exacerbate fungal growth and exacerbate the inflammatory process.
Positive aspects include the product's effectiveness and ease of use in the early stages of fungal disease development.An important advantage of this form of antifungal medication is not only its ease of use, but also the ability to form a durable film that "fixes" the active substance to the affected area and prevents it from being washed away.
We can also add a full list of positive aspects of use:
- Quickly attaches to nails;
- Local effect, no additional medication required;
- Minimal toxicity;
- free sale;
- Ease of use;
- Has a preventive effect;
- Exercise caution.
The correct way to use medicinal varnish
Before using any nail polish to treat 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 steam your nails in water mixed with celandine or propolis tincture (for additional disinfection).
Next, you need to disinfect the nail surface and use a special file that comes with the varnish to clean the affected nail surface and shorten its length.Only after this can the varnish be applied.
For those who are afraid of cleaning the nail plate themselves or do not want to remove it, there is an easier way to prepare the nails - a hygienic bath with a solution of soap and soda.
Once preparation of the infected nail is complete, an antifungal agent can be applied.Experts recommend performing the procedure at least every seven days.Before reapplying varnish, the previous treatment layer must be removed using conventional solvents.The processing is carried out strictly according to the instructions provided with the kit, since each drug has its own nuances when used.
Which Nail Polish Is Best for Onychomycosis – Review of Effective Remedies
Many times, patients ask their doctors which varnish is most effective against fungi.Due to the individual characteristics of each person's body, the degree of infection, and the type of fungus causing it, it is impossible to recommend the best varnish for treating toenail fungus.Therefore, the same drug can behave completely differently in different situations.Below we have listed the most effective medications for fighting onychomycosis, but they should still be chosen individually.
Amorolfine based
These are among the cheapest products in the range of antifungal varnishes.The therapeutic effect of varnish appears only in the initial stages of fungal development, when the nail has not yet lost its normal structure and more than one third of the nail plate is not affected.Otherwise, its use will be useless.During use, you may feel a slight burning sensation in the treatment area.
Based on ciclopirox
The main active ingredient, ciclopirox, has a broad spectrum of action and can destroy cells of various fungal pathogens.Can be used to treat mold, yeast, dermatophytes and other types of fungi and 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 is slightly different than other varnishes.Use the medication every two days for the first month.In the second month of treatment - twice a week.During the third month of treatment, one treatment per week is sufficient.
Before applying nail polish, the affected nail surface must be thoroughly cleaned and trimmed to as long as possible with scissors.On the next application, remove the previous layer of varnish by scraping.The course of treatment should not exceed six months.It is best to go to the drug store to buy nail polish for onychomycosis.Do not trust dubious stalls and shops to avoid buying fake medicines, buy all medicines only from trustworthy places.
Side effects and contraindications
Even the best varnishes for treating onychomycosis on toes and hands have contraindications and adverse effects, so you should study this section of the article carefully.Antifungal varnish is a medical drug, therefore, like all drugs, it has many contraindications and possible adverse reactions.
Contraindications include:
- preschool age;
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding processes;
- Personal intolerance to the products in antifungal varnishes;
Adverse reactions include:
- Unpleasant burning sensation and redness at the application site (which will disappear on its own after a short period of time);
- Development of contact dermatitis.This reaction may occur due to inaccurate distribution of the offending drug and its interaction with the delicate skin of the stratum corneum and periungual ridges.
Comment
After reading several reviews of people who themselves have used varnishes to treat fungus, can one suggest which varnish is better for nail fungus and which varnish did not help them at all or caused additional inconvenience.You shouldn't blindly believe all reviews, but you can draw some conclusions about the treatment process.
- Female, 32 years old: "My husband, who plays professional sports, has been suffering from onychomycosis for a long time. He was treated with antifungal drugs, but it was not completely cured. Recently I noticed that the large nails on my feet became cloudy and started to chip after being cut. I immediately went to the dermatologist and received a disappointing diagnosis - onychomycosis. The doctor recommended that I try an inexpensive onychomycosis varnish. (Compared to others), the treatment started working quickly and I noticed new healthy, shiny nails growing, which couldn't help but make me happy!"
- Female, 28 years old: "I often go to the swimming pool. After I injured my big toe, I found that the color was unnatural. After seeing a dermatologist, I found that in addition to the injury, I was also infected with fungus in the swimming pool. Fortunately, I discovered the problem early, and the doctor said that local treatment would be enough. The expert recommended that I buy onychomycosis lotion. Price of the medicineIt turned out to be quite high, but health was still more important, so I had to spend money on nail polish, and it didn't take long for my nails to grow back and look brand new. Now I think I will still wear nail polish when I go to the pool as a precaution to prevent my nails from getting fungal again.