The danger with keeping your nail polish on too long is that the pigment in the nail polish can soak into the top few layers of the nail and dry it out, Dr. Rowland says. When that happens, fungus, yeast, bacteria, mold and mildew can develop underneath the nail plate, which can lead to long-term problems.
They absorb a great deal of chemicals that are found in nail polish. In fact, they are even more permeable than skin. It is for this reason that when toenails are left painted for long periods of time and then the polish is removed, the nails are left with a yellowed, chalky, stained appearance and are brittle and dry.
Contaminated nail polish can lead to a fungal infection, yes. Anyone who used it on toes that were already infected would have transferred the nail fungus to the brush and into the solution. Often polish seals the tissue and can encourage fungus-friendly environment as well.
It's a good idea to remove your toenail polish every two months or so for up to three weeks.
Nail polish traps in moisture from your nailbed (the tissue below your toenail). Because fungi thrive in moist environments, wearing nail polish may make a fungal infection worse.
If you've noticed some discoloration or disfiguration of your toenails, you might be tempted to cover it up with bright red nail polish so nobody will notice. We hate to break it to you, but that's not a great idea. The reasons are that nail fungus grows in moist, dark environments, and can spread through nail polish.
Official answer. If you have nail fungus (onychomycosis), you should check with your dermatologist before wearing nail polish to see if it is suitable for you to wear while receiving treatment, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD).
"Leaving your nail polish on for too long can dry out the nails, leaving them brittle," says Dr. Curry. "Thin, brittle nails pose a health hazard because the nail is a barrier to keep out bacteria and fungus."
If after removing your toenail polish, you see these white chalky patches then in most cases it is a condition called keratin granulation. These occur from constant polish wearing. This is not a fungus but can look much like it and can trigger a fungus so it is important to treat it.
Your nail has become dehydrated and the white spots you see are actually called Keratin Granulations. Nail polish can contain harsh chemicals such as acetone, which can dry out your nails leading to this appearance when your nail polish comes off.
Fungal nail infections typically don't go away on their own, and the best treatment is usually prescription antifungal pills taken by mouth. In severe cases, a healthcare professional might remove the nail completely. It can take several months to a year for the infection to go away.
Risk factors
Wearing shoes that make your feet sweat heavily. Having had athlete's foot in the past. Walking barefoot in damp public areas, such as swimming pools, gyms and shower rooms. Having a minor skin or nail injury.
It can take between 6 and 18 months for the appearance of the affected nail to return to normal, and in some cases the nail may not look the same as before the infection. If the treatment is working, you should see a new healthy nail start to grow from the base of nail over the course of a few months.
Fingernails take an average of four to six months to grow out completely from the cuticle to the tip. “For natural nails, a three- to four-week break usually will be sufficient to allow discoloration to fade, whether nails are yellow-orange or have white patches,” said Batra.
Wipe the new polish off quickly.
While many people typically use cotton balls when using nail polish remover, you should avoid cotton balls when using this method. They are likely to break apart or get stuck to the wet polish, leaving the polish stuck on.
Jin Soon, a NYC-based manicurist, recommends up to three coats of nail polish for full color coverage and a smooth, finished look. "If you apply more than three coats in one sitting, the application will be prone to clumping off in one piece, almost like a shell" she says.
White chalky patches on the nail can simply be a result of excessive dehydration of the keratin molecules on the nail surface, causing keratin granulations.
In short, the answer is no. But there are caveats. Nails don't need surface access to air because they get oxygen and nutrients from your blood. Keeping nails hydrated is important if yours are prone to breakage, and a pause in polishing to moisturize would help.
Don't go barefoot in public.
Fungus loves to grow in warm, wet places. It also spreads easily from person to person. That's why it's key to wear shower shoes or flip flops around public pools, locker rooms, and showers.
Yes it can. Hybrid gels (e.g. Shellac, Gelish, Axxium) can cause significant weakness in the nails as well as leave you prone to fungal infections, onycholysis (lifting of the nails) and tearing. This year i have seen a number of shellac related nails problems.
Sometimes untreated toenail fungus can spread to the surrounding skin on the foot. This may result in athlete's foot, a condition marked by itchy, red, cracked skin.