Ava Monroe
Nail fungus, or onychomycosis, is a common and treatable condition that can affect the skin of the hands and feet, as well as the nails themselves. While nail polish doesn't directly cause nail fungus, it can create conditions that promote fungal growth, such as trapped moisture. This is especially true for gel polish, which stays on longer than regular polish, keeping nails covered and vulnerable to fungal growth. Additionally, nail polish can disguise the symptoms of nail fungus, delaying treatment. Treatment options for nail fungus include tablets, nail polishes, creams, ointments, and powders. While tablets are more effective, nail polishes and creams are available without a prescription.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Treatment of nail fungus | Tablets are more effective than nail polishes or creams |
| Nail polish and nail fungus | Nail polish can trap moisture and create conditions for fungus to grow and spread |
| Dark nail polish can make things worse as it blocks light, creating a perfect breeding ground | |
| Gel polish can trap moisture and make the infection worse | |
| Nail fungus treatment includes ointments, powders, and medicated nail polishes | |
| Nail polishes and creams are available in pharmacies without a prescription | |
| Ciclopirox nail polishes are water-soluble | |
| Kerydin (tavaborole) and Jublia (efinaconazole) are thought to be effective when applied with nail polish |
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What You'll Learn
- Gel polish can trap moisture, making the infection worse
- Treatment with gel polish can take up to a year
- Tablets are more effective than gel polish, but have more side effects
- Ciclopirox is a water-soluble treatment that can be applied daily
- Kerydin and Jublia are topical products that can be used with gel polish
Gel polish can trap moisture, making the infection worse
While nail polish doesn't directly cause toenail fungus, it creates conditions that help fungi grow and thrive. Trapped moisture, prolonged polish use, and shared polish bottles increase the risk of fungal infections.
Gel polish, in particular, can trap moisture and make the infection worse. This is because gel polish stays on longer than regular polish, keeping your nails covered for weeks. This extended coverage makes your nails more vulnerable to fungal growth as they are unable to breathe. Additionally, old or expired nail polish can worsen infections by carrying bacteria and fungal spores.
To prevent this, it is recommended to take breaks from wearing nail polish and to avoid leaving it on for too long. This allows your nails to breathe and stay healthy. If you have nail fungus, it is advisable to avoid gel polish and see a podiatrist or dermatologist for appropriate treatment options.
It is important to note that nail fungus can be persistent and challenging to treat. Treatment options include topical nail polishes, creams, and tablets. Tablets have been found to be more effective than topical treatments but may also have more side effects. Seeking professional advice is crucial to determine the most suitable treatment plan for your specific condition.
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Treatment with gel polish can take up to a year
It is important to note that nail polish does not directly cause fungus, but it can create an environment that promotes its growth. This is because nail polish can trap moisture under the nail, providing a perfect breeding ground for fungi, as they thrive in humid and warm conditions. Therefore, it is recommended to take a break from polish and allow nails to breathe and stay healthy.
If you are treating nail fungus, it is generally advised to avoid any type of nail treatment, including gel nail polish, as it could aggravate the condition. This is because gel polish can trap moisture and make the infection worse. Additionally, gel polish stays on longer than regular polish, keeping your nails covered for extended periods, which makes them more susceptible to fungal growth.
However, if you wish to continue wearing nail polish during the treatment, it is crucial to consult a dermatologist or podiatrist to determine suitable options. Some antifungal treatments, such as Penlac (ciclopirox) nail lacquer, are not recommended to be used with nail polish. On the other hand, certain topical products, like Kerydin (tavaborole) and Jublia (efinaconazole), are considered effective even when applied with nail polish.
Topical treatments with nail polish may take up to a year for the infection to clear. Ciclopirox polish, for instance, was found to be effective in about 22 out of 100 people after a year of treatment. However, the cosmetic results may vary, as only 7 out of 100 people reported healthy-looking nails after treatment.
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Tablets are more effective than gel polish, but have more side effects
While nail polish doesn't directly cause toenail fungus, it creates conditions that help fungi grow. Trapped moisture, prolonged polish use, and shared polish bottles increase the risk. Also, wearing nail polish without breaks can weaken your nails, and in some cases, nail polish causes fungus to develop over time. If you have nail fungus, take a break from polish, see a podiatrist, and follow good hygiene practices.
Gel polish can also increase your risk of toenail fungus. It stays on longer than regular polish, which means your nails remain covered for weeks. This coverage makes your nails more vulnerable to fungal growth. Old or expired nail polish causes fungus by carrying bacteria and fungal spores that worsen infections.
Leaving nail polish on for too long creates a dark, moist environment, which is why nail polish causes fungus to grow. Dark nail polish blocks out light and creates an ideal environment for fungus to thrive. Fungi thrive in humid and warm conditions.
Nail fungus can be very persistent. Topical treatment with nail polish may take up to one year. Tablets for treating fungal nail infections usually have to be taken for several weeks or months. They are much more effective than topical treatments, but they have more side effects. Brittle (crumbly) nails and a whitish-yellowish or brownish discoloration are typical signs of nail fungus. The nails may also become thicker and change shape. The affected part of the nail sometimes detaches from the nail bed.
Treatment options for nail fungus include nail polishes and creams as well as tablets. Nail polishes and creams are available in pharmacies without a prescription. Lots of people first try to treat nail fungus with a colorless nail polish. Before applying the nail polish, the affected nail has to be cut and filed down as much as possible. The nail polishes contain the growth-inhibiting and antifungal ingredients amorolfine or ciclopirox.
Tablets for the treatment of nail fungus have been tested in several studies. Overall, the study results showed that tablets are considerably more effective than nail polishes or creams. One year after a three-month treatment with terbinafine: About 17 out of 100 people who didn’t have this treatment no longer had a detectable fungal nail infection. About 76 out of 100 people who had this treatment no longer had a detectable fungal nail infection. Itraconazole also proved to be effective. After one year, 7 out of 100 people who didn’t have this treatment no longer had a detectable fungal nail infection. About 43 out of 100 people who had this treatment no longer had a detectable fungal nail infection.
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Ciclopirox is a water-soluble treatment that can be applied daily
If you have nail fungus, it is recommended to take a break from nail polish, as it can create a welcoming environment for the fungus to grow. Trapped moisture, prolonged polish use, and shared polish bottles increase the risk of fungal growth. Therefore, it is best to avoid nail polish during treatment.
Before starting treatment with ciclopirox, it is important to trim and properly clean your nails. Remove any loose nail material using nail clippers or a file. The solution should be applied evenly to all affected nails, including the underside of the nail and the surrounding skin. It is important to be careful and avoid getting the solution on other areas of the skin or in the eyes, nose, mouth, or vagina. After applying ciclopirox, let the solution dry for about 30 seconds before putting on socks or stockings.
During treatment with ciclopirox, it is important to keep your nails clean and dry. Do not wash the treated area for at least eight hours after application. Additionally, avoid swimming or taking a bath or shower for at least eight hours. It is also recommended to use different tools for infected and healthy nails to prevent the spread of the fungus.
Ciclopirox is generally well-tolerated, but some people may experience side effects such as burning, itching, redness, or swelling. It is important to discuss any concerns or questions about the treatment with your doctor or pharmacist.
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Kerydin and Jublia are topical products that can be used with gel polish
If you have nail fungus, wearing nail polish can be tricky. While nail polish does not directly cause toenail fungus, it creates conditions that help fungi grow. Trapped moisture, prolonged polish use, and shared polish bottles increase the risk. Therefore, it is recommended to take a break from polish and see a podiatrist if you have nail fungus.
However, Kerydin (tavaborole)/tacaborole and Jublia (efinaconazole) are topical products that can be used with nail polish to treat nail fungus. They are thought to be just as effective when applied with nail polish. According to some sources, Jublia has been found to make nail polish more tacky and damage its appearance. When Jublia was applied to painted nails, its applicator brush also changed colour as the nail polish colour was transferred to the brush.
Kerydin and Jublia are applied daily for 48 weeks and are evaluated after one full year. Jublia resulted in a complete cure of nail fungus in 15 to 18% of study subjects, while daily use of Kerydin resulted in a cure rate of 6.5 to 9% of study subjects. Both products have potential side effects such as redness, itching, swelling or irritation of the toes. One possible complication of Jublia is ingrown toenails, which occurred in 2.3% of those applying the drug.
It is important to note that the effectiveness of these treatments may vary, and other factors such as cost and availability should also be considered. For example, a 4 ml bottle of Jublia costs $629, and the treatment may require 16 bottles, resulting in a total cost of $10,064 without insurance.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it is not recommended to treat nail fungus with gel polish on. In fact, wearing gel polish can increase your risk of toenail fungus. Gel polish stays on longer than regular polish, which means your nails remain covered for weeks, creating a welcoming environment for fungus and other infectious agents to grow.
Treatment options for nail fungus include nail polishes, creams, and tablets. While nail polishes and creams are available in pharmacies without a prescription, tablets are considerably more effective.
Brittle (crumbly) nails and a whitish-yellowish or brownish discoloration are typical signs of nail fungus. The nails may also become thicker and change shape.
