Have you considered using fake toenails to cover fungus?
Here’s our complete guide to how you should be doing this.
One of the biggest problems with toenail fungus is the appearance it leaves behind: discolored and ugly are not very attractive traits in your feet, and it can be embarrassing to deal with.
In addition, such an infection can cause brittle nails and breakage.
This has lead some people to wonder how to hide toenail fungus with fake nails.
Using fake nails are a crafty way to hide fungus, avoid any further mangling of your toenails and open you up to the many treatment options available to handle your toenail fungus problem.
Here’s what you can do to treat the problem, as well as a how to use fake nails and nail polish to hide the damage already done.
Let’s take it away…
How to Hide Toenail Fungus With Fake Nails
Before you start using fake nails on toenail fungus, it’s best to actually start treating the problem at the source.
Realistically, when it comes to toenail fungus, the best treatment is prevention. If you have dealt with toenail fungus in the past and are considering use fake nails, you will want to ensure that your nails are applied in a healthy and clean manner.
If fake nails are applied improperly, they can trap moisture, which provides the perfect place for even more fungus to grow.
Stopping an infection from occurring is generally a lot easier than trying to cure an infection once it has started.
Topical Treatments
Many topical treatments can be purchased over the counter at your local pharmacy or drugstore.
These treatments are easy and usually not expensive because you won’t need a prescription for them.
You may want to research different brands of topical antifungal creams before you buy though to ensure the treatment won’t do any additional damage to your nail or the skin on the surrounding area of the toe.
Topical treatments for toenail fungus are not an immediate solution: bear in mind that they can take up to three months of daily treatments to fully clear up your fungus problem.
Of course, everyone has differing levels of success with topical treatments so they’re always worth using as a first line defense against fungus thanks to their low price and convenience of buying over the counter.
Oral Antifungal Medicine
If topical treatments do not do the trick, you may want to set up an appointment with your primary care physician or a podiatrist.
They can give you a prescription for an oral antifungal. Be sure to follow the instructions on the medication, as prescription medications can have harsh side effects if they are taken incorrectly.
Some people may understandably not want to resort to taking oral antifungals for their toenail fungus, in which case they often turn to…
Laser Treatment
Laser treatment for toenail fungus is the latest phenomenon and thanks to sites like Amazon, you’re even able to buy low-cost laser machines for home use instead of laying down serious money for costly spa visits.
These machines work by directing light energy directly at the fungus, which heats the toenail bed — killing off the fungus and any spores left behind.
Now you’ve started treating that toenail fungus at the source, it’s time to start thinking about covering it up with fake toenails.
Different Types of Fake Nails
Before you consider using fake nails to cover up issues due to fungus, you may want to double check with your doctor.
Sometimes it is simply best to wait until your nails have healed from the fungal infection before attempting to cover up the damage.
You may also want to consult and work with a nail technician, since they are well versed in how to apply nails in a clean and sanitary fashion.
But before you speak to the professionals, it’s worth knowing exactly what type of fake nails are on offer for toenail fungus sufferers.
Silk Wrap Nails
Pros
- Silk Wrap nails cause less damage to nails than the more conventional acrylics and they can actually help strengthen healthy broken nails.
- These type of fake nails are also more flexible and not as thick as acrylic nails, so they allow for a more breathable fit. Overall, they are gentler and less likely to harbor the moisture that leads to further fungus.
Cons
- Since this type of fake nail is thinner, it tends to lack the strength of an acrylic nail. They probably won’t last that long — especially if you walk a lot or are on your feet all day.
- It can also be difficult to find someone to apply this kind of toenail for you, as this technique is more often used on hands, not feet. Ask around!
Acrylic Nails
Pros
- Acrylic nails look lovely long term, they are sturdy and long lasting, and generally they will continue to look nice for a few months.
- Here’s a good video on building a fake nail over a toenail that’s been lost to toenail fungus:
Cons
Though it may be tempting to go to the nail salon and get a full set of acrylic toenails, you may want to use some caution before jumping to that option.
Because acrylic nails are worn for long amounts of time, generally a few months, they can actually cause additional damage and trap moisture in the nail bed.
This moisture and nail damage can cause the nail fungus to grow further.
There are many ways to minimize these potential hazards.
- Hygiene is really key if you want to prevent the spread of fungus, so you ensure that you keep your toes, nails, and nail beds clean.
- If you plan to use fake toenails to cover damaged or discolored toenails, you will want to change your nails frequently, even as often as every two weeks.
- You may also want to consider going to the salon for any kind of nail treatment, and you will want to ensure that the salon you visit is up to date on their sanitary practices.
Other Options to Cover Toenail Fungus
If you have decided that fake nails aren’t the right route for you but still want to cover up the effects of fungus, consider using nail polishes that have been specifically created to combat fungus.
You can use anti-fungal polishes even if you’re embarrassed by wearing polish — or if you’re male! There are transparent polishes that will help cover up signs of fungus and decay.
But don’t try to use a normal polish, it can actually do more harm than good — nail polish actually contributes to greater moisture build-up in the nail bed, which will only fuel the fire of your fungus.
Plus, fungal spores could easily become attached to the brush and then be reapplied to your toes every time you put it back on. Ideally you should be washing the brushes with acetone every time you apply.
Final Thoughts on Covering Nail Fungus
If you are hoping to use fake toenails for covering fungus, you may want to wait until you have completed treatment and are fungus free.
Fake nails can be a great way to hide unattractive damage, but it’s best to check with your doctor so you can make sure your toenails heal and remain healthy.
Have you tried using fake nails to cover up toenail fungus?
