Clinisept+ combats fungal nails. It empowers podiatrists in the treatment of fungal skin(tinea pedis) and nail disease (onychomycosis). Clinisept+ is the brand name for an advanced solution of hypochlorous acid(HOCL). It is widely used in a medical setting as an effective cleansing and antimicrobial agent. More recently the benefits of Clinisept+ have been lauded by podiatrists e.g. Ivan Bristow, in the battle against fungal skin and nail dermatophytes. It has an fungicidal and sporicidal effect. Clinisept+ has anecdotally been demonstrated in clinic by Compleet Feet, to significantly help in the battle against low to high grade fungal nail infections.
So, what is Hypochlorous Acid?
Hypochlorous acid was identified as a chemical entity over 150 years ago. It is a form of chlorine bleach; sodium hypochlorite(NaOCl). When bleach is dissolved in water it forms hypochlorous acid – HOCl. Hypochlorous acid is an oxidizing agent that attacks and destroys molecules in bacteria and viruses. Hypochlorous acid inactivates viruses, bacteria, endospores, and fungi. It is safe for human tissues and environmentally benign leaving no toxic waste.
So, why is Clinisept safe and effective for skin infections?
The active ingredient in Clinisept+ is sodium hypochlorite, but manufactured in a purer formulation. It is safe for application on human skin unlike bleach. It has no unwanted side-effects. It is bio-compatible with the body. HOCL is produced within white blood cells as part of the immune system, as an anti-oxidant in the fight against infections. HOCL is a by-product of hydrogen peroxide( H2O2 ), which is produced as a consequence of cellular mitochondrial activity. Both hypochlorous acid and hydrogen peroxide in their separate forms have an antimicrobial cleansing effect. In it’s purer form HOCL is pH6. This isn’t optimal for wound healing. It needs to be more acidic. Skin’s pH is between 4.5 -5. Clinisept+ is formulated with phosphoric acid, a weak acid to reduce it to pH3.5 – 5.
How is Clinisept+ helping in the fight against nail fungus?
Clinisept+ works on an extrinsic and intrinsic level in the fight against fungal dermatophytes. Externally applied targets surface dermatophytes and spores on the nail and surrounding skin. Intrinsically when the nail has been removed at a deeper cellular level on entrenched spores and dermatophytes. HOCL post operatively help to prevent, weaken and eradicate treatment resistant biofilms. Biofilms are extracellular microscopic films made of microbes which can trap dormant spores thus making them treatment resistant. The presence of a fungal biofilm impedes treatment efficacy.
Clinisept when applied to infected mycotic nails and left to soak in where possible will weaken presenting dermatophytes. This coupled with antifungal agents and other fungal nail treatment modalities e.g. Lunula laser and Clearanail micro-nail penetration, will increase treatment efficacy.
Older more chronically infected nails with deeper entrenched treatment resistant biofilms require more of a push. Surgical removal of nail plate is often considered the best line of attack when treating nails like this. Clinisept+ will not eradicate biofilms on it’s own, but as part of a treatment programme it will increase treatment efficacy. When a nail has been removed it will significantly accelerate healing outcomes and reach deep seated trapped spores within the nail bed and folds. Clinisept+ will also ensure no secondary bacterial infections.
Clinisept+ can also be used to sanitise footwear and socks. When sprayed copiously into shoes it will weaken presenting fungal spores. The shoes should be aired to dry out, preferably in sunlight. Dermatophytes get inhibited by UV light. As Clinisept+ is water based and does not leave a residue it should not damage footwear in the short term. Socks could be given a light spray when worn to help minimise cross infection. Clinisept+ as a specially formulated form of HOCL does not have a strong bleaching action like hydrogen peroxide.
Is Clinisept+ better than Hydrogen Peroxide?
Hydrogen peroxide does have an antiseptic and antifungal effect, but is less stable than Clinisept+. It has a shorter shelf life, degrades with the presence of UV light, air and water. A formulation of Clinsept+ will last longer than H2O2 .
As previously mentioned white cells produce small amounts of hydrogen peroxide. Levels of intracellular hyrodgen peroxide and hypochlorous acid can be boosted by the application of low level laser therapy(3LT). At Compleet Feet as part of a fungal nail treatment plan the Lunula low level laser is integrated. The Lunula laser directly targets 2 therapeutic wavelengths onto diseased nails to weaken the fungus and boost the immune system. Science | Lunula Laser . Safe absorption of it’s blue 405nm wavelength stimulates an increase in localised cellular hydrogen peroxide production by up to 30%. This gets absorbed into the nail unit therefor repeated doses of the laser over several weeks the ( H2O2 ) produced will incrementally weaken the dermatophytes. This cellular intrinsic antifungal action is enhanced by external application of the Clinisept+. More is more!
Conclusion
Treating fungal nail disease is a challenge. The emergence of treatment resistant biofilms and difficult to reach spores makes it increasingly hard. Impacts directly on success rates. Compleet Feet is constantly looking for new solutions to increase treatment effectiveness. Clinisept+ has clinically proven to help improve treatment efficacy. This simple, but complex solution is a spore and dermatophyte buster. Applying Clinisept+ daily as part of a treatment regime enhances results. Low grade fungal infections can resolve quickly, whilst higher grade infections can be weakened considerably as part of treatment programme. Clinisept+ can be used post operatively to speed up healing and used as a preventive measure to minimise fungal re-infection. Being that it is non-sensitising due to it’s skin biocompatibility, it is a safe product to for longer durations of application.
