please help me figure this out! - Nail Problems Message Board

myboysmom · 08-20-2007, 12:01 PM

Hello all! As most of you know I am currently treating 3 toenails for fungus with vinegar. Going pretty well. I've only been at it about 3 months so I have a ways to go. Well my problem is I love to paint my fingernails but I'm too paranoid to do it now because I am afraid I am going to spread this fungus to my fingernails and if they are covered up with polish I might not be able to catch it. Am I being silly. I do not use the same files or clippers on my fingernails as toes and I have had this fungus on toes several years and never spread it to fingers but my self esteem is just so shot right now due to my toes that I just don't want to make it worse by having it on fingernails too.Can I spread this just by touching my toes when I treat them or by wiping my hands on the same towel? Do you think it would be ok to polish fingernails as long as I take it off every few days or would it be better to just leave it off? I have been putting a little of the vinegar on my fingernails as well just in case.I s this necessary or could I just put some under the tips when the are polished. I know I'm probably making this more of a big deal than it is but please give your advice!

Marti · 08-21-2007, 06:14 AM

Leave teh polish off! Polish will allow for extra moisture to build up in the nails and that is just what fungus needs to grow - excess moisture.

myboysmom · 08-21-2007, 02:26 PM

I am not polishing my toes ehere the fungus is. It is my fingernails that I am refering to. I do not have fungus on fingernails I am just afraid of it spreading there. My question was not about polishing my toenails but my fingernails. Do you think it is likely to spread nail fungus from toenails to fingernails? Do I need totreat my fingernails as a preventitive even though they have no fungus? Sorry if this sounds weird. I just wanted to make sure we were talking about the same thing. I was not sure if you understood my question. I am not putting polish on my fungused toenails.

Marti · 08-21-2007, 07:32 PM

Okay! Yes, you can polish your fingernails as long as you do not use that same polish on your toenails as the fungal spores can live for a short period in the polish. Just be sure to alwyas apply a good quality base coat, two thin coats of color and one thin layer of topcoat. Thin layers dry better as well as adhere better. To prevent the polish from peeling, wipe the nails with straight alcohol or pure acetone just prior to applying the base coat. This will temporarily dehydrate the nail plate surface to allow for better adhesion.

myboysmom · 08-21-2007, 08:42 PM

Thanks Marti! Do I need to do anything else special to keep any fungus from spreading from toenails to fingernails or can this only happen through using the same files or clippers which I do not do?