When many people first hear about nail fungus, they assume it is just like the more common athlete’s foot fungus that we have all had a time or two. They assume that there is a cream or spray you can get at the local drug store that will clear up the condition in just a few days or weeks. In reality, it is incredibly difficult to treat and can even require the removal of your toenails completely. The easiest thing you can do is to follow the steps laid out before for how you can avoid getting it in the first place.
Believe it or not, your best weapon against toenail fungus might just be your diet. Just like any other part of your body, your immune system can go through cycles where it is in tip top shape and in need of help. If you eat a diet rich in vitamins, minerals, fresh vegetables and fruit, you can be sure that you are doing everything you can to maximize the health of your immune system so that it never gets a toe hold in your system. We truly are what we eat, and it is up to you to fill your body with the foods that can fend off an attack from fingernail fungus.
If you are in high school or if you simply enjoy borrowing other people’s things, you could be putting yourself at a higher risk of becoming infected with a variety of fungus. When you borrow other people’s socks or shoes, you are introducing your feet into an environment that is likely filled with bacteria your feet aren’t used to dealing with. If you are currently in the borrowing mood, go with something that won’t lead to an infection you could carry for the rest of your life.
You may not realize it, but our shoe sizes change over time. It is important to be sure that you are always wearing shoes that fit you properly since loose fitting shoes or shoes that are too tight can assist in bacterial growth and provide a more fertile environment for fungus to grow. Shoes that are too tight will often cause feet to sweat far more than normal, and loose fitting shoes can cause scuffs and tears in the skin of the feet, which can significantly increase the chance of infection. Have the size of your feet rechecked every few years to ensure that you are buying the right sizes.
Finally, make sure that the shower mat in your home is washed at least once per week. Often times, we forget about the small throw rugs that dot our apartment or home, but these little rugs can cause big problems down the road. Keep your feet clean and dry as much as possible and don’t be afraid to use medicated powder to keep your feet dry during the middle of the day. A dry foot often results in a far less germ filled environment.
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