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While toenail fungus might be hard to treat, there are 5 important ways to fight off and prevent this condition. Shop solutions for discolored toenails here: http://goo.gl/tn7Ke0
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FOOT HEALTH RESOURCE CENTER
5 Ways to Treat + Prevent Toenail Fungus
TOENAIL FUNGUS
While thick yellow toenails look unappealing,
you shouldn’t just view this condition by how
your toenails look.
That’s because another culprit behind this
condition is often fungi—and the laws of how
fungi normally grow can also apply to your
toenails.
As you know, it’s easy to crack a toenail when
running, playing tennis, or simply just banging
or stubbing your toe.
A toenail crack gives fungi an opening and a
place to live.
Once inside your toenail, it’s extremely hard to
get rid of a fungus. That’s because your
toenail—almost like an adhesive bandage or
cast—keeps the fungus in place.
With nowhere for the fungus to escape or get
naturally cleaned out, it stays…and grows.
While toenail fungus might be hard to treat,
there are 5 important ways to fight off and
prevent this condition.
1. Avoid injury to your toenails.
Since a crack in your toenail is one of the
most common ways that a nail fungus begins
to take root, lessen any activities that risk
toenail damage (or at least make sure your
feet are well-protected).
Wearing well-fitting shoes also helps you
avoid toenail injury. Make sure plenty of
space exists between the end of your shoe and
the tip of your longest toe. This extra space
helps prevent damage to your toenails caused
by any shock or impact.
2. Keep your feet dry
by changing your socks if they become wet
or damp.
Also keep your feet dry by:• Leaving your shoes out in dry places when
you're not wearing them.• Avoiding shoes or boots that trap and retain
moisture, such as rubber boots.
3. Use thongs or flip-flops in public places
to avoid contact with fungi. To be especially
careful, you may want to avoid walking
barefoot anywhere, even around your house
or yard.
4. Spray your shoes
with an over-the-counter topical anti-fungal
spray. Fungal spores that remain in your shoes
can reinfect your nails if you're not careful.
You can use sprays with solutions such as
Lamisil or Tinactin, although places like
bowling alleys often use Lysol to effectively
prevent fungi in shoes.
Avoid antifungal powders, since they tend to
deteriorate the soles of shoes rather quickly.
5. Use topical liquid or cream treatments
that contain over-the-counter antifungal
medicines such as Tolnaftate.
If the fungus persists despite your own
treatment attempts, we recommend that
you see a podiatrist for additional
treatment.
Your podiatrist may run some tests, more
accurately diagnose your condition, and
prescribe a stronger medication to fight off
the fungus.
FOOT HEALTH RESOURCE CENTER
For more information about treating and preventing toenail fungus from the experts at FootSmart and the Podiatry Institute, visit www.footsmart.com/Foot-Health-Resource-Center.