Wear dry socks that absorb moisture. Don't go barefoot in public places. Use a spray or powder that fights fungus on your feet and in your shoes. Don't pick at the skin around your nails.
Wear clean, breathable socks to bed.
Wearing clean socks to bed and washing sheets regularly minimizes transmission risk.
If an individual has a fungal infection, they might notice discoloration on the affected toenail. One critical way in which a person can prevent a toenail fungus from developing is by consistently wearing clean socks and shoes.
Wear socks made of synthetic fiber that “wicks” moisture away from your feet faster than cotton or wool socks do. Disinfect instruments used to cut nails.
Fungal infections can be spread from person to person by touching. Keep the fungal infection covered until it has been treated. Don't cover the area too tightly. It's important to keep the area dry and cool as you treat the foot fungus.
Don't go barefoot in public places. Use a spray or powder that fights fungus on your feet and in your shoes. Don't pick at the skin around your nails. Don't use nail polish or fake nails on your nails.
There are multiple treatments for toenail fungus, though some are faster than others. The fastest way to eliminate the infection is through toenail laser treatment.
If you just finished treating nail fungus, throw away shoes, boots, skates, and other footwear that you wore before you started treatment. Put on a clean pair of socks every day and whenever your socks get sweaty. Wear shoes that: Alternate shoes.
They can also live in socks, shoes, and towels, all of which have a tendency to remain moist. Someone with athlete's foot should never share shoes or socks as the infection can spread easily.
Nail polish traps in moisture from your nailbed (the tissue below your toenail). Because fungi thrive in moist environments, wearing nail polish may make a fungal infection worse.
But remember, simply washing your socks on a regular (40-60 degree) wash cycle will do nada to nuke fungal spores. Communal showers are a breeding ground for fungus.
Best Overall
We chose the Lamisil Terbinafine Hydrochloride Antifungal Cream as our top pick because it works to address a variety of infections, including toenail fungus. The prescription-strength cream comes highly recommended by Dr. Lipner because it can treat athlete's foot before it spreads to the toenails.
Your spouse is also at risk when sharing bed sheets, socks and shoes. As fungal spores can stay dormant but viable for up to three months in their favoured environments, your family may still remain vulnerable long after you've started covering up your feet or taking other protective measures.
Runners and Toenail Fungus
And sweaty socks and tight running shoes create the perfect moist environment for the growth of toenail fungus. Try using special socks that wick away moisture to keep feet dry.
Soaking your feet and toes in a bath containing Epsom salts can help dry out fungal infections by killing fungal spores. Add 1–2 cups of Epsom salt to a footbath of warm water and soak for 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can add 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt to 2 cups of water and soak a cotton ball in it.
This could lead to toenail and foot fungus. For example, 100% cotton socks that hold moisture in can lead to smelly feet and toenail fungus.
Yes, toenail fungus is contagious. Typically toenail fungus spreads through: Direct contact with the infected person. Common household objects, such as towels or clothing.
Carefully dry the feet, especially between the toes, after bathing. Avoid wearing socks made from wool or synthetic materials (eg, rayon or nylon). Instead, wear clean, cotton socks and change them daily or more often if your feet sweat freely. Wear well-ventilated shoes (eg, shoes with holes) or sandals.
"I like clotrimazole, which is available over-the-counter in Lotrimin AF and some other athlete's foot medications," says Dr. Scanlon. If you can, let it air dry for 15 minutes before putting on your socks and shoes, Dr. Scanlon says.
Distinct Difference Between Healthy and Infected Nail Appears. One of the final stages of toenail fungus healing is when you can see a clear distinction between the new healthy nail and the old infected nail. This means that the new growth is coming along well and the fungal infection is all but over.
Regular nail paint may look beautiful when used to hide diseased toenails, but doing so might exacerbate infections. It is wet and dark where fungus thrives. Fungus can flourish in environments created by nail polish. Antifungal nail polish can be covered with non-medicated nail polish.
Nail Removal Sometimes completely removing the toenail is seen as a treatment option for toenail fungus, says Sundling. There are two ways to do it: Permanently, so it never grows back (and then you won't have a toenail anymore), or you can let it grow back in.
We know topical terbinafine works and is safe to use so it is the active agent used in Clearanail to kill toenail fungus instantly.
Antifungal pills also work more quickly than medicine applied to the nails. Taking antifungal pills for two months can cure an infection under the fingernails. Usually three months of treatment cures a toenail fungal infection.
The infection is hard to treat due to the makeup of the nail, which is a tough, close-knit protein known as keratin. Some of the topical creams and liquids available at your local drug store can make the nail look better.