About Toenail Fungus
Toenail Fungus—What Is It?
Onychomycosis, or more commonly known as toenail fungus, is a condition that damages the nails on your toes. Often times, this affects the big and little toenails and can cause a really uncomfortable and embarrassing situation.
The culprit to this condition is fungi, which grow in warm, moist, and damp environments, like your shoes. The fungi will feed on the keratin, the protein substance that makes up the nails, and then spread on the whole nail.
When in worsened condition, toenail fungi can spread on the other nails on the feet as well. This can be easily acquired; it means it spreads easily not only from nail to nail but from person to person.
One can easily get toenail fungus, especially those who frequently use public lockers and shower rooms; those who use other people’s shoes. In addition, wearing very tight shoes can increase the chances of developing toenail fungus.
People who have a chronic disorder that affects blood circulation like diabetes and HIV have a very good chance of getting fungal infection on the nails.
Who gets toenail fungus?
Toenail fungus can affect anyone. This means you are not safe from it. But generally, it affects adults; it is very rare in children.
The chances of acquiring fungal infection increase as a person grows older. As a matter of fact, about 48% of adults in the United States have or will have experienced toenail fungus by the time they reach the age of 70.
How to avoid toenail fungus
There is no question about it: toenail fungus is something no one should have. It needs to be avoided at all cost. So how do you prevent toenail fungus from affecting you?
Though there are various ways to treat toenail fungus, it doesn’t end there. You can use all medications all you want, but if you don’t make sure you practice proper habits, you will not be totally free from fungal infection.
Prevention, as most people say, is always the best cure.
Here are some ways on how you can keep toenail fungus outside your door:
- Don’t wear tight-fitting shoes. Make sure you wear comfortable footwear all the time. Also, wear new socks each day and always dry your shoes after wearing.
- Whenever you are in public locker or shower rooms, make sure you don’t walk around barefooted. Wear slippers or sandals.
- Always wash your feet and dry them completely before wearing socks.
- It would help to use foot powder before you put on your socks.
- For women, don’t apply too much layers of nail polish.
- Keep your toenails trimmed all the time and make sure you cut them straight across.
- Don’t store your shoes in a locker or the trunks of your vehicles because they will accumulate moisture; keep them instead in a well-ventilated place.
- Always keep your house, most especially your shower area, clean. Use bleach when cleaning to kill fungi which thrives in dirty areas.
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