Nail fungus varnish, its types and effectiveness

Healthy, beautiful nails are an integral part of the image of a well-groomed person. During a greeting, the interlocutor pays attention to shaking hands and unconsciously assesses their condition. That is why it is recommended to use varnish against nail fungus as a preventive and therapeutic agent.

The principle of action of antifungal varnishes

nail polish against fungus

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 various means and techniques, which in each specific case will cure the fungus in the shortest possible time. In the initial stage of infection, a good reaction is 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, thus improving the penetration of the treatment. After drying, the concentration of the antifungal drug in the affected tissues increases by 20% and lasts 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 antifungal varnishes produce their products under different names, but the principle of action of each of them is identical. Therapeutic antifungal varnishes are actively used to get rid of onychomycosis and prevent recurrence of the disease. To prevent fungal infections, such means are also used very effectively.

Nail fungus polish can be alcohol or oil based. Regardless of the consistency, they are equally effective in inhibiting the spread of a fungal infection. The main thing is to understand the type of pathogen in advance in order to correctly choose the active component and its concentration. Only in this case, the use of varnish will 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 in the initial stage of the development of a fungal infection. They destroy not only fungal cells, but also their spores. When it dries, the composition covers the nail with an imperceptible film that blocks the possibility of oxygen penetrating the remaining spores, making it impossible for them to reproduce further.

When caring for nails affected by fungus, it is necessary to use strictly individual tools that must be disinfected after each use. Otherwise, you can provoke a re-infection.

When treating nail fungus, it should be borne in mind 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 look at all the positives and negatives of using nail polish against nail fungus. The treatment procedure itself requires preliminary preparation of the nails. Keep in mind 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 moist and warm environment, which in itself is favorable for the development of fungi.

Some of the most important disadvantages of the anti-fungal varnish are its high price and the long preparation of the feet before using the product. Cheap drugs of this type may indicate a fake, so you should not buy them.

During the treatment, it is necessary to completely abandon foot care procedures (pedicure, varnishing, use of lotions and creams). These measures can provoke increased growth of fungi and worsening of the inflammatory process.

Positive aspects include the effectiveness of the product in the initial stage of development of fungal diseases and ease of application. An important advantage of this form of antimycotic drug is not only the ease of application, but also the formation of a permanent film that "fixes" the active substance in the affected area and prevents it from being washed away.

We can also add a whole list of positive aspects of use:

  • quickly fixed on the nail;
  • local effect without additional drugs;
  • minimal toxicity;
  • is freely available;
  • easy to use;
  • has a preventive effect;
  • act sparingly.

How to properly apply medical varnishes

Before using nail polish for nail fungus, you need to prepare the infected surface. To do this, you should wash your feet, preferably with laundry soap, and dry the skin with a natural towel. If necessary, you can steam your nails in water with the addition of tincture of celandine or propolis (for additional disinfection).

After that, you need to disinfect the surface of the nails and with the help of a special file that comes with the varnish, clean the affected surface of the nail and shorten its length. Only then 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 a solution of soap and soda.

Once the preparation of the infected nail is complete, an antifungal agent is applied. Experts recommend that the procedures be performed at least once every 7 days. Before re-applying the varnish, the previously treated layer must be removed with a common solvent. Processing is carried out strictly in accordance with the instructions attached to the kit, since each drug has its own nuances when used.

Which varnish is better for nail fungus - a review of effective means

Very often, patients ask their doctor which anti-fungal varnish is considered the most effective. It is impossible to recommend the best polish 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 drug 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.

Lacquer 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 is manifested only in 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 one third. Otherwise, its use will be useless. During application, a slight burning sensation may be felt in the treated areas.

Lacquer 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 nail polish set includes disposable nail files (12 pieces), applicators, cleaning pads and spatulas.

When used correctly, the drug works to inhibit the synthesis of ergosterol. As a result of such a failure, processes are started 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 it reaches the maximum therapeutic effect. The active ingredient of the drug works 10 days after the first use of the varnish. Lacquer works best in the early stages of the disease. After applying the medicine, using a spatula, you need to wait until the varnish is completely absorbed. A few minutes are enough for this. The spatula is then wiped with an alcohol wipe (tampon) and folded into place.

Lacquer with active ingredient amorolfine hydrochloride - 64. 0 mg

This nail polish 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 varnish treatment, you will have to spend a lot of money. The active ingredient amorolfine is effective in the process of destroying yeasts and molds. If you strictly follow the treatment regimen, the unpleasant symptoms will quickly disappear, and the fungi will be completely destroyed.

This drug is often recommended as the most effective nail polish against nail fungus. At the same time, it smells nice, removes inflammation, which leads to a reduction in itching and peeling. The course of treatment will be long and in advanced cases may last up to 4-6 months or even up to a year.

The nail polish tube comes with all the necessary accessories: wipes soaked in disinfectant, applicators and disposable 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 on the nail plate.

Varnish with active ingredient ciclopirox

how to use nail polishes against fungus

Before applying the healing varnish, the nails must be pre-treated

The main active ingredient ciclopirox has a wide spectrum of action and destroys the cells of various types of fungal pathogens. It can be used to treat molds, yeasts, 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 scheme of this varnish is slightly different from other varnishes. During the first month, the drug is administered every two days. In the second month of treatment - twice a week. For the third month of treatment, one procedure per week is sufficient.

Before applying the varnish, you should thoroughly 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 removed by scraping. The course of treatment should not exceed six months. It is better to buy nail polish from the fungus at the pharmacy. Do not trust dubious stalls and shops, so as not to buy a fake, buy all medicines only in reliable places.

Side effects and contraindications

Even the best toenail fungus varnish has contraindications for use and side effects, so you should carefully study this paragraph of the article. Antifungal varnish is a medical drug, therefore, like all drugs, there are a number of contraindications and possible side effects.

Contraindications include:

  • preschool age;
  • pregnancy and breastfeeding process;
  • individual intolerance to products that are part of the antifungal varnish;

Side effects include:

  • unpleasant burning and redness at the site of application (disappears by itself in a short period of time);
  • development of contact dermatitis. Such a reaction can occur due to improper distribution of the aggressive drug and its interaction with the delicate skin of the cuticle and peri-nail edges.

Opinions about varnishes

After reading several reviews of people who have used nail fungus nail polishes and can advise which nail fungus nail polish is better and which one didn't help them at all or caused additional inconvenience. You should not blindly trust all reviews, but you can draw some conclusions about the treatment process.