Beautiful and healthy nails are an integral part of the image of a well-groomed person. During a greeting, the interlocutor pays attention to his hands when shaking 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 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 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, thus improving the penetration of the treatment. After drying, the concentration of the antifungal 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 applying the varnish to the hands and on the fourteenth day to 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 relapse of the disease. To prevent fungal infections, these agents are also used very effectively.
Nail fungus varnish can be alcohol- or oil-based. Regardless of consistency, they are equally effective in inhibiting the spread of fungal infections. The main thing is to know 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 every microcrack of the treated surface to obtain the most effective effect, even in the deepest layers of the nail plate. The active components of the varnish act 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, making their subsequent 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 provoke reinfection.
When treating nail fungus, it must 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 against nail fungus. The treatment procedure itself requires preliminary nail preparation. Please note that most often the fungus is diagnosed on the feet. This is due to the fact that when wearing dirty, low-quality or uncomfortable shoes, the feet are often exposed to a humid and hot environment, which in itself is favorable for the development of fungus.
Some of the most important disadvantages of antifungal nail polish are the high price and the time-consuming preparation of the feet before using the product. Cheap medicines of this kind may indicate counterfeiting, so you should not buy them.
During treatment, it is necessary to completely abandon foot care (pedicure, varnish, use of lotions and creams). These measures can increase the growth of the fungus and worsen 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 medication 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 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;
- it is for sale free of charge;
- easy to use;
- has a preventive effect;
- act with moderation.
How to apply medicinal varnishes correctly
Before using any nail polish for nail fungus, you need to prepare the infected surface. To do this, you need to wash your feet, preferably with washing powder, and dry your 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, it is necessary 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 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 carrying out procedures at least once every 7 days. Before reapplying the varnish, the previous treatment layer must be removed with common solvent. Processing is carried out strictly in accordance with the instructions that come with the kit, since each medicine has its own nuances in use.
Which nail polish is best for nail fungus - a review of effective remedies
Patients often ask their doctor which varnish against fungus is considered the most effective. It is impossible to recommend the best varnish for nail 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 medicine in different cases can manifest 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 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 the development of the fungus, 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 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 files (12 pieces), applicators, cleaning swabs and spatulas.
When used correctly, the medication works by inhibiting 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 the treated nail plate and after 24 hours it reaches the maximum therapeutic effect. The active ingredient of the medicine works 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 a cloth dipped in alcohol (cotton swab) and folded into place.
Varnish with active ingredient amorolfine hydrochloride - 64. 0 mg
This nail fungus varnish works well even in advanced cases of the disease. But he won't be able to please you with his prices. To carry out varnish treatment you have to spend a lot of money. The active ingredient amorolfine is effective in the process of destroying yeast and fungi. If you strictly follow the treatment regimen, the unpleasant symptoms will quickly disappear and the mushrooms 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, eliminates inflammation, which leads to a reduction in itching and peeling. The course of treatment will be long and in advanced cases it can last up to 4-6 months or even a year.
The tube of nail polish comes with all the necessary accessories: disinfectant wipes, 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 medicine, and applicators are used to carefully distribute the product over the nail plate.
Varnish with cyclopirox active ingredient
Before applying medicated varnish, nails must be pre-treated
The main active ingredient ciclopirox has a broad 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 begins to actively destroy the fungus a day after the first application.
The application pattern of this varnish is a little 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 the varnish, the affected surface of the nail must be thoroughly cleaned and its length trimmed 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 best to buy nail polish for nail fungus at a pharmacy. Do not trust shady stalls and stores, to avoid buying counterfeit products, buy all medicines only from trusted places.
Side effects and contraindications
Even the best varnish for fungus on toenails and fingernails has contraindications for use and adverse reactions, so you should carefully study this paragraph of the article. Antifungal varnish is a medical medicine, therefore, like all medicines, 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 antifungal varnish;
Adverse reactions include:
- unpleasant burning and redness at the site of application (disappears spontaneously in a short period of time);
- development of contact dermatitis. Such a reaction may occur due to inaccurate distribution of the aggressive medication and its interaction with the delicate skin of the cuticle and nail ridges.
Opinions about varnishes
After reading numerous reviews from people who used varnishes on themselves to treat fungus and can advise 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.