Antifungal nail polish: the most effective drug

Properties and principle of action of varnishes against nail fungus

The development of a fungal infection occurs in favorable conditions, i.e., when pathogenic organisms enter the affected area and develop. To stop this process, it is necessary to protect the nail plate from bacterial invasion. It is these properties that the medicinal varnish for onychomycosis has. Thanks to its liquid form, the product, once on the nail, is absorbed into its structures, filling the smallest cracks. After drying, a protective film is formed on the surface, which prevents oxygen from penetrating into the nail structures and maintains the concentration of the active substance inside. Thus, the varnish performs two functions at once:

• prevents the penetration of new harmful organisms into the nail;
• stops the development of existing ones.

As an additional bonus, the patient receives not only relief from the fungus, but also healthy and strong nails. Unlike ointments and creams, varnishes do not wear off, which allows them to take precedence in the pursuit of healthy feet and nails. Oil- and alcohol-based products are available. Which nail varnish to choose for nail fungus depends on the stage of development of the disease. Oily ones are suitable for those whose mycosis is accompanied by increased dryness of the skin. Alcohol-containing preparations cure faster due to their burning effect on fungal spores.

The benefits of nail polish against nail fungus include:

• efficiency - the liquid structure helps to cope with pathogenic bacteria in the shortest possible time;
• protection - a film formed on the nail that can protect against all strains of fungi: dermatophytes, yeast-like, moldy, etc.;
• safety - anti-fungal varnish has virtually no contraindications or side effects;
• long-term effect - the number of uses of the varnish is 1-2 times a week. In the intervals between applications, the active substances continue to act;
• versatility - varnishes for onychomycosis can be used for both treatment and prevention.

A properly selected drug can show its effectiveness within a week after the first application. The only disadvantage that patients note is the high cost. Even the most inexpensive products can cost many times more than ointments.

Principle of operation

Fungal microorganisms die under a layer of varnish.
For fungal diseases of the nail plate, treatment consists of localizing the source of the disease as quickly as possible and eliminating harmful microorganisms. Antifungal nail polish does both things well. By covering the nail with a hard film, it prevents oxygen from reaching the fungus, which means it is effective in combating its growth and spread. Therapeutic varnish contains special substances that kill the fungus from the inside. The entire colony dies. The product is non-toxic: fungal varnish can be used to treat mycotic lesions in children and adults.

When using anti-fungal varnish, harmful organisms begin to die after 48 hours. The improvement in the condition of the nail is noticeable to the naked eye.

Indications for use in fungal nail infections

Nail polish for mycosis is effective in the first stage of the disease. The product acts only on the surface of the nail plate, therefore, if the disease has gone beyond its scope and the disease progresses, the use of varnish will be useless. Signs under which application of the product is possible are as follows:

• the appearance of dots and stripes on the surface, different in color from the color of the nail. The affected area is insignificant, no more than 60%;
• the nail plate has become yellowish or grayish;
• not all toenails are affected, but only three;
• burning sensation and mild itching;
• redness of the nail folds after the onset of the inflammatory process.

Fungus varnish is also prescribed to patients who have undergone surgical removal of the nail to prevent the development of remaining pathogens.

Medicinal varnish will be the best option when treating fingernails. Other local preparations run the risk of being erased from the surface; the varnish, in turn, will remain on it intact and unharmed. Treatment of fungus on the hands will remain hidden from prying eyes, because... the treated nail surface will look neat, just like with a regular transparent decorative coating.

Nail fungus and causes of infection

The spread of a dermatophyte fungus of the genus Trichophyton is called onychomycosis. This is a disease of public baths and water parks. The fungus survives outside the body and multiplies where it is warm and humid. Leather particles remain on unfinished wood surfaces, floors, rugs and other surfaces.

Where and when it occurs:

• in athletes, due to constant injuries to fingernails and toenails, athletes often use shared sports equipment, showers, and swimming pools in gyms;

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• people whose professions require them to use public showers. For example, military or miners;
• after an unsuccessful manicure or pedicure, when the nail is damaged or injured, when the instruments are not sufficiently disinfected;
• as a consequence of severe or chronic diseases, for example, diabetes, blood, vascular, and heart diseases;
• with poor blood circulation in the extremities, varicose veins;
• during long-term antibacterial therapy. Antibiotics kill not only harmful bacteria, but also beneficial ones. General immunity decreases, and mushrooms have room to roam;
• within a family, when people wear the same shoes, have common personal hygiene products, towels, washcloths, and do not clean the plumbing fixtures well.

Hot water softens the skin, nails, and scales open, making infection easier.

There are three types of onychomycosis:

• normotorphic. The only symptom is yellow spots and stripes on the nail, gradually the entire nail becomes yellow, the shine and thickness remain;
• hypertrophic. The nail no longer shines, the plate becomes thick, deformed on the sides and edges, and pain often appears when walking;
• atrophic. From the name it is clear that atrophy of the nail plate occurs, it separates from the skin, and before this the color changes to gray or brown.

The disease is also classified according to where the fungi spread. The fungus can capture the entire nail, this is total onychomycosis, or it can affect the side part (lateral), edges (distal), and base of the nail (proximal). In Russia, this classification is not popular, because the fungus grows quickly, these types of lesions quickly give way to the total form of the disease.

It is important to distinguish between nail fungus and plate deformation that has arisen for another reason. This can only be determined by a doctor in a laboratory setting.

In rare cases, nails are affected by fungi of the genus Microsporum, this disease is called microsporia, another name is “ringworm.” Animals, especially wild ones, carry the infection, usually in a latent form or the cure occurs on its own. It enters the external environment with particles of skin and hair. Children are more likely to get microsporia: they petted a street cat but did not wash their hands. The disease is common in large cities. In megacities, the air temperature is several degrees higher than outside the city, and there are a lot of wild animals due to available food and waste.

Usually this fungus affects the skin, less often the nails.

Elderly people over 65 years of age are more susceptible to onychomycosis than others. Onychomycosis is accompanied by other diseases of old age, weak blood vessels, varicose veins, and often diabetes mellitus.

Features and rules for using anti-fungal varnish

The use of varnish against mycosis, like other medications, should begin with a visit to the doctor. After examination and tests, he will determine the degree of infection and prescribe the correct treatment.

Before applying anti-fungal varnish, it is necessary to carry out preparatory measures. This will help the drug have a better effect on the affected area and contribute to a faster recovery.

1. Steam your feet in a bath using additional components. They can be salt and soda, herbal infusions, essential oils or regular laundry soap. The purpose of the procedure is to soften the nail plate and nearby skin;
2. Keep your feet in the bath for at least 15-20 minutes;
3. Dry the feet with a soft towel without applying friction to the sore area;
4. Using manicure scissors and a nail file, the rough dermis is removed, each diseased nail is cut short, and their top is processed with a nail file to obtain a rough surface;
5. The nail plate is wiped with a napkin soaked in alcohol for disinfection.

Before using nail fungus polish, you need to steam your feet.
This procedure must be performed before each application of the product. Now the nails are ready for further treatment. Apply the varnish to a dry nail plate in a thin layer and wait until it dries completely. Then you can apply another layer. In the instructions for use, the manufacturer usually provides information on exactly how to use the drug. Some are applied to all nails, including healthy ones. And others need to cover exclusively nails with mycosis.

Until the next procedure, the varnish should remain on the nail. Some drugs can be coated with decorative varnish over the medicinal one. Removal of the product is done using regular nail polish remover or a nail file. If the varnish coating is damaged during use, it must be reapplied to the peeled areas.

The average course of therapy is three months. For the first time, applying nail polish against nail fungus is done once every two days. In the second, use is reduced to 2 times a week, and in the third, one treatment per week will be sufficient. At the end of the course of treatment, dark spots may remain on the nail plate. This is not a sign of the disease, but its residual effects - waste products of fungal spores. After a medical pedicure, the problem will be solved.

How to prepare for application?

In order for the nail polish against nail fungus to work quickly and effectively, you need to wash and dry your nails well, then apply a thin layer of the product. There are preparations on top of which decorative varnishes can be applied, but there is also antifungal varnish that requires you not to use other nail care products during the treatment period. When choosing the best varnish, you need to remember that the remedy for nail fungus does not come in color. It is always transparent or white. Colored nail polish with healing properties is a myth. All products are intended for individual use. You cannot use two or more fungal preparations at the same time, this can lead to an allergic reaction and dermatitis.

Criteria for choosing the best nail polish for nail fungus

Which nail varnish to choose for nail fungus depends on the type of fungus that caused onychomycosis. A bacterial analysis of the affected area will help determine the type. It is not recommended to use drugs from several manufacturers at once. Their components may contradict each other, the effectiveness of treatment will decrease, and fungal bacteria will develop resistance to the active substances. Before purchasing, carefully read the instructions, paying special attention to the section on contraindications and side effects.

A specialist will help you decide on the brand of varnish for toenail fungus and fingernail fungus, as well as the duration of treatment. The criteria for choosing a good varnish are as follows:

• pay attention to well-known and trusted brands;
• the further the stage of development of the disease is from the initial one, the more active components should be present in the drug;
• a rapidly progressing disease requires an active substance concentration of at least 8%;
• products that come with a special tool for easier application.

When choosing a nail polish for nail fungus, pay attention to well-known and trusted brands.
Always pay attention to prices. The well-known and best nail polish for nail fungus will cost accordingly. If they offer you the same product, but at a much lower price, this indicates a fake that will not give the desired result.

How to identify and correctly diagnose nail fungus

Symptoms of the fungus are observed in several diseases, especially at the initial stage. You can make a mistake when diagnosing yourself, so it is better to have it diagnosed at a clinic. Eczema, psoriasis, lichen or keratoderma are disguised as onychomycosis.

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Keratoderma is a skin disease that causes dry lumps to form on the feet and palms. The furrows on the skin deepen, cracks appear, which hurt and bleed. Treatment of keratoderma is long and complex, the disease is inherited through the male line

The best and most reliable studies for suspected onychomycosis:

• bacterial culture. This analysis is needed to identify the type of fungus in order to select the correct drugs for treatment;
• Wood's lamp examination. It was invented by the American Wood in 1903; ultraviolet rays are used to diagnose the type of pathogen. Lichens have green reflections of different shades, and can be bluish in the hair. Mushrooms of other subspecies glow in shades of the red spectrum. During such a study, it is not prohibited to wash or wipe the affected area.

You can diagnose fungus at home, but you cannot rely entirely on the accuracy of this method.

Hands or feet are placed in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for 10 minutes. If the nails are healthy, under the influence of crystals they will become dark in color. If it is still a fungus, staining will not occur.

Iodine will also help identify shingles. If the infected area is treated with an alcohol solution of iodine, the areas with the fungus will darken much more than healthy skin and nails.

TOP 5 most effective nail polishes for foot fungus

Modern pharmacology offers many remedies for the treatment of mycosis, including nail polishes. Knowing the characteristics of a particular product, you can easily decide on what you need.

1. Oflomil. Anti-fungal varnish 5% with the active substance - amorolfine, is available in glass bottles, has a transparent or light yellow color. A drug with fungistatic and fungicidal properties neutralizes the effect of infectious agents and slows down the development of the disease. Effective against yeast, mold, dimorphic fungi, dermatophytes, actinomycetes in case of damage to no more than 2/3 of the nail plate. The product quickly penetrates the nail plate, then into the nail bed, providing a therapeutic effect. Apply up to 2 times a week.
2. Loceril. An analogue of Oflomil with the same active substance. Available in bottles of 2.5 and 5 ml. It is active against various types of mycosis, disrupts the synthesis of fungal sterols, and also stops the development of the disease at an advanced stage. Used for 6-12 months 2 times a week. The maximum concentration is achieved a week after regular use. Loceryl is a varnish against a fungus that has affected the nail no more than 60-65%. The kit includes special blades for application, nail files and cotton swabs soaked in an alcohol solution.
3. Exoderil. The drug 1% is available in 10 ml bottles. The active ingredient is naftifine. Exoderil is a fungal varnish with a powerful fungicidal effect that inhibits the proliferation of bacteria by destroying their protein compounds. Used for lesions of nails and interdigital spaces. The course of therapy is up to 6 months. The varnish can be used under colored decorative coating.
4. Batrafen. Sold in 3 and 6 g doses. Penetrating into the deepest layers of the nail plate, it destroys fungal spores. In addition, Batrafen is a nail fungus varnish that relieves inflammation and has a calming and cooling effect. The versatility of the drug allows it to be used at different stages of onychomycosis development in combination with other drugs. The varnish has a pleasant smell and is used on both feet and hands. Apply a thin layer every other day for a month. Applications are further reduced to twice and once per week in the second and third months, respectively.
5. Demicten. Budget version nail fungus varnish. Available in 35 ml jars. It looks like glue. The kit includes an applicator for applying the product. Demicten gives results in the early and chronic stages of the disease. Prescribed for inflammatory processes and the addition of a bacterial infection. Effectively fights unpleasant odor and swelling. Apply daily. After treatment, a film is formed within 3 minutes, which is subsequently easily removed. The first results are noticeable after 2 weeks, but complete recovery occurs after six months of use. Demicten can also be used for prophylaxis before each visit to public beaches and swimming pools, as well as to soften the cuticle during trimmed manicure and pedicure.

Oflomil nail fungus varnish
Use varnishes with caution during pregnancy, breastfeeding and if you have an individual intolerance to the components. May cause itching and redness of the skin. obvious contraindications are infancy.

The first and most important rule in treating nail fungus is to notice the symptoms in time and consult a specialist. Treatment in the early stages will quickly give positive results, while an advanced form of the disease will lead to long and expensive therapy.

Which antifungal nail polish is best: list

The modern market provides a huge selection of medicinal nail coatings that are aimed at destroying the fungus and its mycelium.
In order to choose the best one, you need to know the strain of the fungus that provoked the development of mycosis, the stage of the disease, and also rely on the expressed symptoms. In order for the treatment to bring positive results, and the money for the drug not to be “thrown away,” it is worth consulting with an experienced specialist.

List of the best antifungal varnishes:

1. Oflomil. The active substance is amorolfine. Its purpose is to destroy many types of fungus (disturbs its biosynthesis). Relieves symptoms of the disease at any stage. It causes virtually no side effects, works quickly and is inexpensive.
2. Gazebo. The composition includes coral extracts, vitamins, silicon. An antibacterial drug that is recommended to be used only at the initial stage or for prevention. If the infection spreads, then treatment is supplemented with more tablets.
3. Lamisil. Terbinafine is an active substance that is aimed at destroying infection and inhibiting the proliferation of fungus. The oily base creates a film that stops the access of oxygen to the nail plate. The medicine is effective at the very beginning of the development of the fungus.
4. Mikozan. This is an antimycotic that has a plant base. Allowed for children and pregnant women. Its main effect is considered to increase the density of the structure of the nail plate and reduce permeability to pathogenic microflora.
5. Demicten. Formic aldehyde is the basis of this medicinal coating. After application, the product forms a durable protective surface on the nails, which prevents the spread of infection.
6. Exorolfinlac. A drug based on a substance such as amorpholine. The varnish is toxic, so it should not be used by pregnant women and children. Helps with advanced fungus of any type. Due to toxicity, it only needs to be applied once a week.
7. Batrafen. Eliminates many types of fungus that cause fungal infections on the fingernails and toenails. Ciclopirox is the active ingredient. Capable of destroying fungal mycelium in all layers of the nail.

Antifungal varnishes should be used according to the instructions or recommendations of a doctor. The duration of therapy lasts until the healthy nail plate grows completely.

The treatment coating should be applied only after the nail has been treated. To do this, the affected areas need to be steamed and the top layer removed with a nail file.

Which varnish is better to choose

Many forums are filled with questions about which varnish is best for dealing with fungus, which one will give the fastest effect? I would like to answer everything right away: the best drug is the one the doctor prescribes! Many problems with the use of antifungal varnish in people are associated with the fact that they independently select the drug for themselves and begin treatment. But for effective therapy, you need to get tested and find out the type of fungus; only then can you choose the appropriate varnish and auxiliary medications that will give results.

If you notice symptoms of foot fungus: an unpleasant odor, yellowing and softening of the nail plate, inflammation of the skin around it, you should immediately contact a dermatologist. He will be able to choose the right drug that will not only help kill microorganisms, but also will not cause allergies.

Anti-nail fungus varnish is a convenient and effective remedy for treatment and prevention. This product dries quickly, kills fungi and protects the nail plate from new spores. In pharmacies you can find many different varnishes that promise to get rid of fungal infections quickly and for a long time, but it is better to entrust the choice of therapy to a doctor. Remember that nail polish is not suitable for those with deep or subungual fungus.

Drying and disinfecting ointments

When treating nail fungus on the hands, it is important not only to influence the source of the disease, but also to provide a favorable environment for a speedy cure. Moisture promotes the development of fungus, so it is necessary to use products to dry and disinfect the surface of the diseased fingernail. Otherwise, the drugs used will not produce visible results.

In this case, drug therapy can be supplemented with traditional medicine. The cheapest and most effective medications can be made independently or purchased at a pharmacy. The components used are:

• Celandine. Treat your hands with the strained decoction before applying the medicine.
• Apple cider vinegar or lemon juice. Dilute with water in a ratio of 1:8 and make hand baths for 20 minutes.
• Garlic. You can rub your nails with a clove of garlic or apply the paste overnight.
• Ginger. Treat your nails and the skin of your hands around them with ginger oil 2 times a day.
• Salt, soda. Dissolve 1-2 tablespoons of soda and salt in 1 liter of water and make hand baths (up to 20 minutes).
• Hydrogen peroxide. Soak a cotton pad in the solution and treat the nail plates.

Subtleties of application

For pool lovers or people who are in close contact with people with nail fungus, varnish will be the optimal solution to prevent fungal spores from affecting the extremities.

Is it possible to use medicinal varnishes together with decorative ones? Some manufacturers prohibit using them under regular varnish, some simply “do not recommend”. But you can also find anti-fungal nail polishes that are allowed to be used as cosmetics.

They are most useful in the early stages of the disease. If onychomycosis has been progressing for a long time, then simultaneous treatment with other antimycotic drugs prescribed by the mycologist is necessary.

Effective varnishes

We have collected the data in a table for the most objective comparison; as always, there are options for every taste and budget:

* - Loceryl is available in 2.5 or 5 ml bottles, we are considering only 5 ml, because it's more profitable.

** — The indicated price is the result of monitoring online pharmacies.

Results:

Onyhelp wins in price and packaging, the product is new, presumably the manufacturer set such a price to bring it to the market and this should be used. Whether this price will always be there is unknown.

Oflomil is most beneficial if you purchase 2.5 ml and are confident that this will be enough. The area of ​​the nail and the degree of damage are different for everyone, but on average 5 ml are spent on the big toe.

European-made drugs ( Batrafen, Exorolfinlac and Lotseril ) are more expensive than Eastern European or Indian ones, this is quite natural. Whether they have the same quality is not at all necessary. Who is too lazy to read - in different countries there are different norms and laws regulating pharmaceuticals and industry in general, and different levels of corruption, for example. Therefore, there is more trust in European goods.

Ciclopirox has proven itself well, but all new drugs are produced on the basis of Amorolfine. Amorolfine has a slightly wider spectrum of action than Ciclopirox, for example it is effective against cryptococcosis of the nails or against Hendersonula. To be fair, these infections are extremely rare.

How to apply antifungal medicinal varnish

Preliminary preparation is required before application. To achieve this, the following activities are carried out:

1. Steam your nails. To do this, make baths with antiseptic agents. To make the fight against fungus more effective, various ingredients are added to the baths. We have prepared a list of the most popular bath recipes for you in this article.
2. Dry your nails thoroughly: wipe them with a cotton pad or special swabs included in the kit.
3. Nails are trimmed.
4. Degrease the diseased surface with a 50% alcohol-water solution, iodine or a special swab.
5. Sand with a file, trying to remove dead particles as much as possible.
6. Upon completion, all instruments are disinfected.