Nail Fungus: Best-Practice Methods for Prevention

Nail fungus is typically a common condition for most people that involves discolouration and crumbling of the nail/s in question. It can be an embarrassing condition for many, as many people who end up with nail fungus refuse to go out or even remove their shoes — which could end up making the situation worse. Perhaps the worst thing for many, however, is that nail fungus is common enough that it could happen to anyone.

Fortunately, there is no need to worry for those who actively seek preventative measures against nail fungus. For those unfortunate enough to already have nail fungus, there are fungal nail tablets available that can help clear up the fungi before the condition can get any worse. Otherwise, here are a few best-practice methods for prevention.

Letting your feet breathe

It is no secret that fungi love to thrive in damp areas, and that can sometimes mean thriving in sweat. Those who happen to have sweaty feet do not have to worry, as there are sweat-absorbing socks available that can help your feet breathe. There are also many types of shoes made to air out the feet as much as possible. The reason why things can get worse for those too embarrassed to remove their shoes due to the fungus is that it could end up spreading due to the damp environment.

Keeping things clean and dry will practically eliminate the risk of developing any kind of nail fungus, whether on your hands or feet.

Be wary when using public locker rooms and pools

One of the most common ways of getting nail fungus (particularly on the toes) is to not wear any footwear when using public locker rooms and pools. Going barefoot in an area where many others do the same thing presents the perfect environment for the fungi to thrive. Thankfully, such an issue can be easy to resolve by wearing footwear when you enter such places. Whether you go to the gym or the public pool, keep in mind that your exposed feet could end up catching nail fungus if you are not careful.

On the topic of old shoes

If you’re the sentimental type that doesn’t want to get rid of old shoes, the best thing to do would be to work toward disinfecting the shoes regularly. If you still intend to use your shoes, keep in mind that the older the material, the easier it is for you to develop nail fungus when you use them. Taking the time to disinfect the shoes allows you to wear them as often as you would like without the risk.

How to trim your nails

Aside from damp areas, the odds of catching nail fungus increases if you have an ingrown nail. To help ensure that you mitigate the risk, ensure that you trim your nails cleanly across without getting too carried away with the side. If you trim the side too much, it could eventually cause an ingrown nail. It would also be smart to use a file and smoothen the edges, as well as part of the nail you might feel have gotten too thick.

Maintain healthy hygiene

While those with poor hygiene are not guaranteed to get nail fungus, such a scenario offers the ideal environment for a nail fungus to grow. The idea is to keep your hands and feet clean and keep them dry as often as possible. When going to the public gym, keep in mind that everyone gets a chance to use the same equipment, and sweat is commonplace. When finishing up, take a shower as soon as possible.

Don’t overdo it!

Perhaps one of the trickier parts of maintaining healthy hygiene is to ensure that you do not get carried away. If you tend to take a bath too many times in a day, it could cause your skin to dry out and crack. While a dry environment is good, when skin is too dry, it can cause wounds that are — once again — the ideal environment for fungal infections. There is no need to overdo it so long as you make use of the best-practice methods above. While it is a good idea to stay clean, there is such a thing as too clean, and your skin can only handle so much cleaning at a time.

While it is understandable to be worried about catching any kind of nail fungus, keep in mind that it is typically not a serious condition. Even if you end up catching a fungal infection, the aforementioned nail tablets can help clear things up quickly. Thankfully, the preventive best-practice methods above can help ensure that you never have to worry about nail fungus. The golden rule is to stay clean and stay dry. Give your feet a chance to breathe!