Objective: Patients with onychomycosis may use nail polish to camouflage affected nails, despite potential interactions between nail polish use and topical onychomycosis treatments. Our objective was to review available data on nail polish use concurrent with topical efinaconazole 10% solution for the treatment of onychomycosis.
Methods: We conducted a PubMed search and narrative review of data on effects of nail polish on penetration of efinaconazole and clinical studies of efinaconazole in the treatment of toenail onychomycosis concurrent with nail polish use, including results of an investigator-initiated study of gel nail polish pedicures.
Results: In vitro, penetration of efinaconazole through cadaverous nails coated with traditional nail polish was similar to penetration through uncoated nails. In a 52-week clinical study, efinaconazole treatment was associated with similar improvements in onychomycosis severity and clear toenail growth between participants who used traditional nail polish and those who did not use nail polish. In a second clinical study, participants received efinaconazole treatment concurrent with monthly gel nail polish pedicures. After 6 months, 100% of participants tested negative for fungal infection and all experienced visible improvements in treated toenails. Efinaconazole application was associated with degradation of traditional nail polish texture/appearance. In contrast, efinaconazole did not affect the duration, quality, or texture of gel polish.
Limitations: Only four small studies have assessed nail penetration and efficacy of efinaconazole 10% solution with concurrent nail polish use.
Conclusion: Efinaconazole 10% solution demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of toenail onychomycosis among participants concurrently using toenail polish, with no visible impact on gel-polished nails.
Keywords: dermatophyte; efinaconazole; nail polish; onychomycosis; toenail; topical.
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