Questions
Questions & Answers
Q. What is the maximum number of nails I can treat?
A. There is no limit to the number of nails which may be treated (hence the generous 10ml pack!). What is important is the severity of the infection. If the nail matrix is affected, then it is unlikely that any topical treatment will be affective and you should consult your physician.
Q. What is the minimum age at which Abicin 30% Resin Lacquer may be used?
A. There is no minimum age specified where Abicin may not be used. Fungal nail infections are not common in children, so you may wish to take medical advice if your child is affected.
Q. Have you any further tips for the use of the product?
A. Yes.
- Abicin should be used regularly, so why not set up a recurring alarm on your phone diary to remind you that today is an application day.
- Roughen the nail surface with a file before application. This helps to improve absorption of the product into the nail plate. If you are going to re-use a nail file, make sure that you disinfect it thoroughly before the next use.
- Always make sure you close the bottle tightly. This will ensure that the contents do not evaporate!
Q. Should I keep my nails trimmed short?
A. Yes. As the nail grows, always be sure to trim off the infected part of the nail which has grown out. Be careful to dispose of the clippings carefully as these may still have spores in them which could spread.
Q. Can you catch a fungal nail infection if you have other infections like athletes foot?
A. Yes. In the majority of cases, a fungal nail infection is secondary to another fungal infection of the skin. It is always important that these infections are treated effectively.
Q. How does Abicin 30% Resin Lacquer compare to other topical antifungal treatments for fungal nail infection?
A. Abicin 30% Resin Lacquer has been compared to Amorolfine 5% Lacquer in a clinical trial in the British Journal of Dermatology. Abicin was shown to be at least as effective as Amorolfine (marketed as Loceryl ® Curanail ® ) at treating dermatophyte fungal nail infections.
Q. What Paronychia?
A. Paronychia is the name given to inflammation of the nail cuticles. When the skin around the nail plate is damaged, it is easy for bacteria to get in and infect the cuticle itself. This usually causes redness and discomfort and is quite common in association with fungal nail infections. Abicin 30% Resin Lacquer is also antibacterial and has been shown to also treat the paronychia. Simply apply the lacquer to the affected nail cuticles at the same time you apply to the nails and this should go away within a few days. If it gets worse, it would be advisable to visit your GP as there may be a need for antibiotics to clear it.
Q. What happens if the fungal nail infection seems to be getting worse?
A. If you have been using Abicin 30% Resin Lacquer correctly, but the nail infection seems to be continuing to spread, you should discontinue treatment and visit a podiatrist or your GP.
Q. Are fungal nails contagious?
A. Yes. If you leave a fungal nail untreated, you may find that it spreads to another nail. This is because microscopic fungal spores can fall out from under the nail and spread within the sock or onto the floors of changing rooms etc. Other people may also pick these spores up on their feet and the process will start again with them. Always treat as early as possible.
Q. What side-effects are associated with Abicin?
A. The only known side-effect is an allergic reaction to the spruce resin. This is not a common reaction, but if you notice redness and irritation, you should discontinue use. The redness and irritation should subside within a few hours.
Q. I’m diabetic. Can I use Abicin?
A. There is nothing in Abicin 30% Resin Lacquer which is going to interfere with other treatments you may be taking, so there is no reason why it may not be used. Some people suffering with diabetes may not be able to take antifungal tablets, so topical treatments may be the only way forward.