Healthy, 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 shaking and unconsciously assesses their condition. That is why it is recommended to use nail polish against nail fungus as a preventative 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 means and techniques that, in each specific case, will cure the fungus in the shortest possible time. 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.
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 substance is achieved 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 get rid of onychomycosis and prevent relapse of the disease. To prevent fungal infections, such agents are also used very effectively.
Nail fungus varnish can have either an alcohol or an oil base. Regardless of consistency, they are equally effective in inhibiting the spread of fungal infection. The main thing is to find out the type of pathogen in advance 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 every microcrack of the treated surface for the most 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 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 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 individual tools, which must be disinfected after each use. Otherwise, you can provoke re-infection.
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, because 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 against nail fungus. The treatment procedure itself requires preliminary preparation of the nails. Note that most often 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 damp and warm environment, which in itself is favorable for the development of fungus.
Some of the most important disadvantages of anti-fungal varnish are its high price and the lengthy preparation of feet before using the product. Inexpensive drugs of this type may indicate a counterfeit, so you should not purchase them.
During treatment, it is necessary to completely abandon foot care procedures (pedicure, varnish, use of lotions and creams). These measures can provoke increased growth of the fungus and aggravation of the inflammatory process.
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 fixes on the nail;
- local effect without additional medications;
- minimal toxicity;
- is on free sale;
- easy to use;
- has a preventive effect;
- acts sparingly.
How to properly apply medicinal varnishes
Before using any nail polish for toenail fungus, you need to 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).
Next, you need to disinfect the surface of the nails and, using a special file that comes with the varnish, clean off the affected surface of the nail and shorten its length. Only after this 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 soap and soda solution.
Once the preparation of the infected nail is complete, an antimycotic agent is applied. Experts recommend performing procedures at least once every 7 days. Before reapplying the varnish, the previous treatment layer must be removed using a regular 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
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 show itself in completely different ways. Below we present a list of the most effective drugs against nail fungus, but they should still be selected individually.
Varnish with the active ingredient amorolfine
This is one of the most inexpensive drugs in the line of anti-fungal 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 treatment areas.
Varnish with the active ingredient amorolfine hydrochloride
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 pieces), applicators, cleaning swabs and spatulas.
When used correctly, the drug works to inhibit 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 composition of the varnish quickly penetrates the treated nail plate, and after 24 hours reaches the maximum therapeutic effect. The active ingredient of the drug works for 10 days after the first use of the varnish. Varnish works best in the early stages of the disease. After applying the drug, using a spatula, you must wait until the varnish is completely absorbed. A few minutes are enough for this. Next, the spatula is wiped with an alcohol wipe (swab) and folded 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 he won’t be able to please you with his prices. To undergo treatment with varnish, you will have to spend a lot of money. The active ingredient amorolfine is effective in the process of destroying yeast and mold fungi. If you strictly adhere to the treatment regimen, the unpleasant symptoms will quickly disappear, and the mushrooms will be completely destroyed.
This drug is often recommended as the most effective varnish against nail fungus. At the same time, it smells pleasant, it removes inflammation, which leads to a reduction in itching and flaking. The course 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 a disinfectant, applicators and nail files for one-time 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 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 within a day after the first application.
The application pattern for this varnish is somewhat different from other varnishes. The first month the drug 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 the varnish, you must thoroughly clean the affected surface of the nail and trim its length as much as possible with scissors. During the next application, the previous layer of varnish is removed by scraping. The course of treatment should not exceed six months. It is better to buy nail polish for nail fungus at a pharmacy. Do not trust dubious stalls and shops, so as not to buy a fake, buy all medications only in trusted places.
Side effects and contraindications
Even the best varnish for nail fungus on the toes and hands has contraindications for use and adverse reactions, so you should carefully study this paragraph of the article. Antifungal varnish is a medical drug, therefore, like all drugs, it has a number of contraindications and possible adverse reactions.
Contraindications include:
- preschool age;
- pregnancy and lactation process;
- individual intolerance to products that are part of the anti-fungal varnish;
Adverse reactions include:
- unpleasant burning and redness at the site of application (goes away on its own within a short period of time);
- development of contact dermatitis. Such a reaction can occur due to inaccurate distribution of the aggressive drug and its interaction with the delicate skin of the cuticle and periungual ridges.
Opinions about varnishes
After reading several reviews of people who used varnishes on themselves to treat fungus and can advise which varnish for nail fungus is better, and which did not help them at all or caused additional inconvenience. You shouldn’t blindly believe all the reviews, but you can draw some conclusions about the treatment process.