Nail fungus (onychomycosis) is a fairly common disease. They suffer about 3% of the population, and it's easy enough to get infected. You can pick up the fungus when sharing shoes, in the pool, even outdoors, if you have injuries and microcracks on your legs.
Many are concerned first of all with the aesthetic aspect of the question, since with a fungus the nail thickens, exfoliates, changes color. But do not forget that this skin disease can spread from the nails to the skin, cause redness, itching, cracking of the skin. In this case, fungi require a long systematic treatment, which can take from several weeks (at the initial stage) to a year or more.
Most fungus is observed on the nails of the legs , but it is possible that it appears on the hands.
Antifungal nail polish
Treatment of fungus on the nails is usually complex and determined by a dermatologist. Of the drugs used, well-known, especially in the early stages, special varnishes against the nail fungus. Such drugs have an antifungal effect, disrupting the synthesis of certain components of the cell membrane of the fungus. They are effective only if the disease is not neglected (no more than 2/3 of the nail plate is affected). If the nail is completely affected or the disease has passed to the skin, then the varnish against the fungus is used as an auxiliary. The main method of treatment in this case are special drugs (antimycotics) - such as lamilicol and its analogs.
Use of nail polish from a nail fungus
Previously, to fight the fungus used drugs based on iodine, vinegar, acids and the treatment could last up to 3-4 years. Modern drugs can significantly reduce this time, although no immediate effect should be expected. Treatment of fungus is a long procedure.
Before you start using a varnish, you need to get rid of the affected areas of the nail. To do this, they need to be removed using a nail file or other manicure or pedicure tools. For damaged nails, you need to use a separate nail file, and in no case do not use it for filing healthy nails - otherwise you can make yourself an additional infection.
Before applying the nail polish, degrease with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. Apply a varnish usually with a special spatula-spatula. The agent is typed for each nail separately. Excess varnish does not wipe off the neck of the bottle, and after it is applied to the nail, the spatula is wiped with alcohol. Also, before closing the vial, it is recommended to wipe with alcohol and neck. The varnish is applied sufficiently thick and allowed to dry. From the use of decorative varnishes and false nails should be refrained.
What kind of nail polish to choose from?
At the moment, two antifungal drugs in the form of lacquer are widely used: Lorecil and Batrafen. Both varnishes are broad-spectrum drugs that affect most fungal infections. Which lacquer to use against the fungus in each specific case should determine
- Loreciel . The active substance is amolorfin. Manufacturer - Switzerland. It is available in the form of 5% nail polish in 2.5-5 ml vials. It is applied to the affected surface 1-2 times a week. The duration of treatment is from two months to a year.
- Batrafen . The active substance is cyclopyroxolamine. The manufacturer is Germany. Produced in the form of 8% lacquer, in vials of 3 or 6 ml. The drug is applied 3 times a week in the first month of treatment, 2 times in the second, 1 time in the third. The duration of use of the drug should not exceed six months.