6 Quick Tips for Preventing Fungal Toenails

Some people might think of a fungal toenail infection as being “not a big deal,” but perhaps they haven’t experienced the embarrassment of not wanting to go swimming or wear sandals (or open-toed shoes) on account of discolored, unsightly nail tissue. If you have a case of toenail fungus, you may wish you had known tips for preventing fungal toenails before contracting the infection!

At The Kansas Foot Center, we offer treatment for fungal nails—including safe and effective laser therapy—but we’d prefer to help you avoid developing the condition in the first place. With that in mind, here are 6 quick prevention tips:

1. Wash feet daily. Using soap and warm water in the morning shower or bath is certainly helpful, but a second washing at night, followed by a thorough drying and the application of a topical antifungal product, twice a week can be even more effective.
2. Avoid going barefoot in public places. The fungus responsible for the infection is commonly contracted in public places where other people are walking barefoot, including gym locker rooms, showering areas, and indoor pool decks. Instead of going barefoot, protect your feet with shower shoes or sandals in these areas.
3. Wear breathable socks and shoes. Fungus needs moisture to survive, and feet use sweat glands to keep skin moist and not let it dry out. This can be a bad combination, so help disperse the amount of foot sweat your body produces by wearing moisture-wicking socks and breathable footwear.
4. Trim toenails correctly. When toenails become ingrown, they open the door for possible infection to set in. The main issues with nail clipping practices is cutting them too short and/or rounded. Trim your nails straight and keep them even with the edge of the foot to decrease your risk!
5. Alternate shoes. Deprive the offensive fungus of the moisture it needs by switching between two different pairs of shoes every other day. This gives each pair 24 hours to dry out before they are worn again.
6. Use an antifungal spray on a regular basis. In addition to letting footwear dry out, give them a quick spray each night with an over-the-counter antifungal spray.

These tips will certainly reduce your risk of developing a fungal infection in your toenails, but it can be tricky to completely eliminate all risk. When toenail fungus does strike, you want to make sure the condition is handled by professionals who use state-of-the-art treatment for optimal results.

Fortunately, The Kansas Foot Center is pleased to offer our patients effective fungal nail care administered by skilled, experienced podiatrists. Contact us today and find out about our highly-effective laser treatment for fungal nails. Give us a call at (866) 222-5177 for more information, or simply schedule a consultation at any of our four offices—Wichita, Newton, or Emporia, KS—online.