Nail fungus is an extremely unpleasant disease that is easy to catch: just go to the swimming pool, the beach, or put on someone else's slippers.But getting rid of the disease is not easy: fungal spores not only attack the nail plates, but also penetrate the deepest layers of the skin and become firmly anchored there.
In advanced cases, the fungus reaches a chronic stage and treatment is delayed for years.Therefore, it is very important to pay attention to the symptoms in a timely manner and start therapy with special medications, which also include special varnishes against nail fungus.
Why is fungus dangerous?
Fungal infections enter the body through microtears that occur in the skin for various reasons.For example, this can happen when a person walks barefoot on the beach or on the ground, puts on another person's shoes, or performs a pedicure using tools other than their own.If pathogens manage to gain a foothold, they gradually penetrate all layers of the skin and thus expand the territory.
The infection thrives in warm and humid conditions, making the toes an ideal place for fungus to develop, especially if someone sweats excessively.Self-medication in this case is useless and will not bring success.The only way out: the use of ointments, creams and medicated nail polishes.
The difficulty in treating the disease also lies in the fact that there are more than five hundred species of fungi that can harm human health (in total there are more than seventy thousand).Each species may only be treated with medication specially developed for it, otherwise even the best medicine will be ineffective.If you notice any suspicious symptoms, you must consult a dermatologist before starting treatment.
The fungus manifests itself through the following symptoms:
- Peeling between finger folds, burning, itching, redness;
- the appearance of suspicious spots on the skin;
- the formation of blisters is possible, which after a while burst and form cracks and ulcers;
- the nail begins to change its structure: it bends, wavy formations appear on the nail plate, it itself becomes thicker or thinner and begins to crumble;
- White or yellowish spots appear on the nails, which are untypical for healthy nails.
If you pay attention to the symptoms in a timely manner, notice problems with the skin on your feet and a deterioration in the condition of the nails, and immediately seek help, you can get rid of the disease in two months.Therapy usually includes ointments, creams and tablets.Recently, special preparations have appeared, which are medicinal nail polishes, the main purpose of which is to stop and destroy fungi that have affected the nail plate.
How does paint work against fungi?
Antifungal nail polish helps best in the first stage of disease development.The principle of operation is simple: after filing the top layer with a file and degreasing the plate with alcohol, apply the product to the nail.Subsequently, thanks to its liquid structure, the medicinal components included in its composition easily penetrate through the plate layer and begin to destroy pathogens.
After the varnish dries, air no longer penetrates to the fungal spores, for the development of which it is essential, which also blocks their vital activity.As a result, the mushrooms die when they are deprived of air and heavily exposed to the medicinal components contained in the varnish.
Antifungal nail polish dries in about three to four minutes.After completing the procedure, you must remember to carefully close the bottle and disinfect all tools used to treat the nail and the skin around it.
If the type of fungus was correctly identified and the right remedy was used, after some time it is possible to get rid of pathogenic microorganisms.Another point to note is that using varnish alone is not enough for an effective treatment, as fungal spores are also found in the skin around the nail.
In order for the therapy to be successful, the treatment must be comprehensive: in addition to varnish, accompanying creams and tablets must also be used.For example, a well-known company produces not only medicinal varnish against fungi, but also ointments that help the body cope with the disease.
Before choosing a remedy, you must carefully read the instructions and make sure that it is directed against the type of fungus found in the body (in principle, this should be done by a doctor, but it doesn't hurt to make sure for yourself).It is also worth paying attention to the number of healing components and their concentration.
When the disease is at the end of the second-third phase, the fungal spores are already quite strong, and when a weaker agent is used, they begin to fight it, develop immunity and become more resistant.Therefore, when treating any disease, it is necessary to choose stronger means.
Brands and their impact
Today there are a wide variety of antifungal varnishes, and since each case is individual, opinions about their effectiveness are different and often contradictory.According to reviews, they help some people, but not others.The second possibility is due to incorrect preparation of the nail plate or use of a varnish that is not suitable for the type of fungus that affects the nails.
Antifungal varnishes with the active ingredient amorolfine are particularly popular.They all have a wide spectrum of action and are designed to destroy the most important types of pathogenic microorganisms.Which remedy is better to choose largely depends on the type of fungus that has affected the nails.Therefore, they should be used only after tests have established the type of pathogens and the instructions for use of the drug indicate that the medical nail polish can cope with it.
French varnish against nail fungus is an expensive drug, the active ingredient of which is amorolfine, the principle of its action is based on the destruction of the cell membrane of the fungus.It not only destroys cells that have already formed, but also prevents spores from multiplying and spreading and conquering new territories.The duration of treatment with this drug, according to reviews, is from two months to two years, depending on the stage of the fungal infection.
Another product, a product from our manufacturer with formic acid in the composition, not only fights pathogens well, but can also be used as a prophylactic agent.The active ingredient of the drug is polyvinyl acetate;It contains Bacillus bacteria and therefore has biochemical activity.
A German varnish with the active ingredient ciclopiroxolamine, the active ingredient of which is cyclopyros, is considered effective.Opinions about this drug vary from extremely negative to positive.Many agree that varnishes containing amorolfine are better.This may be because, in contrast to previous application methods, the manufacturer allows the paint to be applied without filing the surface of the panel.
This is not the best application method as it makes it easier for the product to penetrate deeper into the treated nail.To make the varnish with ciclopiroxolamine more effective, it is better to file the nail plate.
How often you need to apply antifungal nail polishes largely depends on the condition and the treatment regimen prescribed by your doctor.It is recommended to use some products once a day, others twice a week.If signs of recovery are visible on the face, the interval between procedures can be increased.
Whatever drug is chosen for treatment, do not forget about the importance of comprehensive treatment and the need to comply with hygiene rules.When applying varnish, do not forget that the nail affected by the fungus must be treated with a separate tool: it is not advisable to file healthy and diseased nails with the same file or cut with the same scissors.
You may also not give your manicure tools to other people or take away tools for treating your nails from them.It is worth paying attention to strengthening immunity, taking vitamin and mineral complexes and maintaining proper nutrition.