While it doesn’t get nearly as much press as other common ailments, toenail fungus is one of the most bothersome and long lasting infections in today’s world. There are very few conditions that you can contract today and then find yourself with years from now. As troublesome as the common cold might be, in a few weeks, it will be gone and it likely won’t leave the slightest bit of scarring behind, but it needs a ton of medication that is rife with side effects you don’t even want to think about. Here are a few common sense tips you can follow to keep your feet and hands fingernail fungus free.
Care for your nails
Many of us spend far more time every month trimming and taking care of our fingernails than we do our toenails, but if you want to keep your feet fungus free, you may want to consider shining a brighter light on your toenails. Keep your toenails short and neat but make sure you don’t clip them too short. If you do, you will likely create small cuts or abrasions in and around the skin nearest to your toenails and this can increase the likelihood of a fungal infection.
Dry is dandy
We all know that a dry, clean foot has less bacteria on it but it is also more likely to stay fungus free, as well. If you want to, you can monitor the amount that your feet sweat during the day and change your socks or shoes accordingly. Nail fungus will thrive in the dampest conditions, so do what you can to dry out your feet, either with powders or with fresh socks and shoes. Be careful your coworkers don’t see you, however, you may develop a reputation for being a bit obsessive compulsive.
What’s yours is yours
Be sure that anything that touches your feet remains yours. Most people know enough not to borrow fingernail clippers or nail files from another person, but it is a good idea to not even borrow these items from your wife or kids. Have a cheap set of foot care products for every person in your home, that way, if one person does come down with nail fungus, you don’t have everyone in the house coming down with it in a matter of days. Nail fungus can stay on instruments for long periods of time unless they are sanitized.
Avoid public spaces
Many folks who join public gyms enjoy a hot shower after a long workout so they don’t end up smelling up their car on the way home. If you must shower in a public place, make sure your feet are protected from toe nail fungus. Wear a pair of shower sandals or some other kind of protective foot covering to ensure that your feet have no contact whatsoever with the shower itself. Better yet, wait until you get home and you can use your home shower which is likely much cleaner.
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