There are many causes of nail fungus: You can get infected in the swimming pool or in public showers, a weak immune system can promote the formation and you can also get athlete’s foot from cutting your nails. If you break the skin on your feet, germs can get in and lead to nail fungus.
Luckily, if caught early, nail fungus can be treated effectively. The best way to recognize nail fungus is by the discoloration of the nail and white stripes and spots on the nail. This is because the nail fungus can dissolve the substance of the nail. If left untreated, that’s exactly what happens.
Treat nail fungus
There are special nail polishes and ointments to take effective action against nail fungus. ÖKO-TEST (issue 6/2022) tested 19 non-prescription, pharmacy-only remedies against nail fungus for the effectiveness and questionable auxiliary substances.
The result is impressive: All nail polishes in the test achieved the top rating of “very good”, the only ointment in the test achieved “good”. The reason: the laboratory found aromatic mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOAH) in the Canesten Extra nail set ointment. These are suspected of being carcinogenic and mutagenic and of influencing the hormone system. The many test winners also include well-known manufacturers such as Stada, Ratiopharm, Heumann, Acis and Co.
The right foot care
In addition to remedies against nail fungus, ÖKO-TEST also examined 18 cosmetic nail oils, including seven certified natural cosmetics. You should care for and harden the nails. And can also protect against infections. Because: hygiene and care are the best ways to prevent a fungal infection.
The nail oils in the test vary greatly in price: While expensive branded products cost up to 13 euros per 10 ml, there are also much cheaper alternatives from 1.60 euros per 10 ml.
And above all the result is surprising, because, as so often, is expensive not necessarily better. The expensive nail oil just mentioned for 13 euros, the Artdeco Green Philosophy Intensive Nail Treatment care oil, does not pass the test with a grade of 6. Another oil, the Anny Miracle Smoothie Nail Oil from ICB, failed with the rating “insufficient”. In both, the laboratory found isoeugenol, a highly potent allergen. Other critical ingredients such as PEG/PEG derivatives and questionable UV filters are also responsible for the poor rating.
The Trend it up Nail Repair Oil from dm, on the other hand, is the cheapest nail oil in the test at 1.60 euros per 10 ml and scores “very well”. The experts have nothing to complain about when it comes to the ingredients. Other cheap winners are Essence 10 Sec Nail Oil, Balea Nail Care Oil, Terra Naturi Nail Care Oil, Alverde Nail Care Oil and Alterra Nail Care Oil from Rossmann.
You can read the detailed test report for a fee at ÖKO-TEST.