How to prevent and treat nail fungus Wear flip flops or swim sandals when walking in hot and humid areas, such as gyms, changing rooms, spas, public showers, and swimming pools. If you go somewhere with wet floors, such as swimming pools and gym changing rooms, keep your feet in place.
A pair of flip flops or lightweight slides may be just the barrier you need against toenail fungus.
All of these measures can help you avoid toenail fungus. But if you do end up with an infection, don't hesitate to call Vittori's foot and ankle specialist or schedule an appointment online today. We can provide you with the treatment you need to get rid of the fungus as quickly as possible.Wearing sandals helps keep your feet dry and cool and protects the soles of your feet, which can help minimize nail fungus of the feet. Toenail fungal infections usually stem from athlete's foot that has spread to the nail, says Dina Strachan, M. If you have toenail fungus and wear shoes barefoot, you can transfer the fungus to your nails after you've treated it. Fungal infections can affect both fingernails and toenails, but toenail fungus is harder to treat because toenails grow more slowly.
Toenail fungus can be contracted in humid areas, such as public gyms, showers, or swimming pools, and can be transmitted between family members. Even though the sandal season is coming to an end, there isn't a good time of year to combat toenail fungus. Once the fungi have disappeared and your new nail has grown, you may want to have the treatment on a regular basis as a preventive measure, as the fungi can reappear. Prevention methods include wearing protective shoes or sandals in public showers, pool areas, and gyms, and avoiding sharing shoes, socks, or towels with someone who has toenail fungus.
A very small study showed that applying a pea-sized amount of Vicks VapoRub to the nail once a day helped treat (or at least improve) toenail fungus. Although laser treatment for nail fungus has gained popular attention, there is limited reliable research on its true effectiveness. If you suspect toenail fungus (or know you're suffering from an infection), Olansky Dermatology & Aesthetics can provide you with personalized care. Over-the-counter products Sometimes, you can treat a mild case of toenail fungus with over-the-counter antifungal creams, ointments, or nail polish.
However, more clinical tests are needed to determine if any of these (or other) home remedies actually treat nail fungus from the feet. Toenail fungus symptoms include swelling, yellowing, thickening or crumbling of the nail, stretch marks or blemishes on the sides of the nail, and even total nail loss.
