What Is The Outlook For Someone With Toenail Fungus
While toenail fungus is common, its usually not harmful. Symptoms mostly affect the look of your toenail.
Toenail fungus may spread to the skin between your toes or other areas of your body. When getting dressed, put your socks on first to reduce the chance of spread.
Treating toenail fungus takes a long time, and it doesnt always work. Even then, toenail fungus often returns. Discuss the pros and cons of treating toenail fungus with your provider to determine whats best for you.
Practicing good hygiene and foot care reduces the chance toenail fungus will come back. If you have diabetes, getting regular foot exams may help you address foot problems before they get serious.
What Is Foot Fungus
The fungal infection is a common skin problem that usually begins between the toes, and it frequently occurs in people whose feet become more sweaty in tight-fitting shoes or while wearing socks.
The fungus can make your nails look yellow, thick, and cracked, and they might hurt when you try to wear shoes. There is a chance that it might lead to more serious infections. Also, it causes an itchy rash with a painful, flaming sensation that is extremely uncomfortable.
Can Toenail Fungus Spread Through Bed Sheets
If you share a bed with someone, the fungus may spread to them via shared linens.
Though its not as likely to spread via sheets as it is to spread from other surfaces, such as a floor mat in a locker room, the fungus can live on bed sheets for several days.
This means that if your partner or flatmate has athletes foot then theres a good chance that youll be exposed to the fungus if you sleep on the same sheets.
Read Also: What Kind Of Doctor Do I See For Nail Fungus
How To Kill Fungus In Old Shoes
There are several ways to kill fungus in your old shoes and get better-smelling feet. The best way is to spray your shoe with a deodorizing spray that also helps to kill bacteria and fungus. Continue utilizing this method and your shoes will be fungus free in no time. One of the best sprays that kill bacteria and fungus in shoes is 10 Seconds Shoe Deodorizer and Disinfection. Its one of the most effective spray used all over in the gym and even in the hospital to make sure things are properly clean.
How To Prevent The Spread Of Athlete’s Foot In Laundry
- Separate infected socks, towels, and other exposed laundry from other items until they can be washed. This can be done with a mesh bag for holding laundry, which can be thrown into the washer to be cleaned with each load. If using a plastic basket or hamper to separate fungus-exposed laundry, wipe it down with a diluted solution of chlorine bleach and water while each load is in the washer.
- Disinfect gym bags and backpacks regularly. If they cannot be washed in hot water, use disinfectant wipes or a cloth dipped in diluted chlorine bleach and water for a thorough inside cleaning. Allow to air dry completely before using it again.
- Clean and disinfect shoes after each wearing, if possible. Allow at least 24 hours between wearings to allow shoes to dry completely.
- Use hot water and your regular detergent for infected laundry. Lower temperatures will not kill the fungus and can transfer spores to other fabrics in the same load.
- For white cotton socks, you can use chlorine bleach along with hot water to disinfect the fabric.
- For colored socks and clothes that cannot be washed in hot water and should not be exposed to chlorine bleach, use a non-chlorine disinfecting method.
- For wool socks that cannot be washed at a high temperature, disinfect using a non-chlorine disinfectant and cold water wash.
- Dry athlete’s foot fungusexposed fabrics on the highest suggested temperature in a tumble dryer to ensure further that the fungus is dead.
Also Check: How To Treat Nail Fungus From Gel Nails
Should I Wear Socks If I Have Athletes Foot
The fungus that causes athletes foot thrives in dark, damp places. Wet shoes and socks are the perfect habitat for these little critters. Your feet are safe inside shoes or socks as long as you keep them dry. Otherwise, let those toes out in the air.
Here Is How To Disinfect Shoes From Athlete’s Foot
Disinfecting your feet before putting your shoes on can help keep an athletes foot at bay. But you will not be risk-free.
At one simple stroll to the store, you will be able to find cleaning agents that disinfect and deodorize.
The usual banal shoe disinfectant or antibacterial spray will remove the spores and kill off the infection, removing the smell in the process.
But there are many other solutions!
Don’t Miss: How Do You Know If You Have Foot Fungus
Switch Up Your Footwear
If you wear the same pair of shoes, it increases your chances of acquiring fungus. Moisture is usually caused by sweat on your foot, and fungus lives in damp environments. Buy a few more pairs of shoes and use them with the others to allow them to dry. Wear comfortable shoes! Dont wear the same shoes!
Treatment For Athlete’s Foot From A Gp
The GP may:
- send a small scraping of skin from your feet to a laboratory to check you have athlete’s foot
- prescribe a steroid cream to use alongside antifungal cream
- prescribe antifungal tablets you might need to take these for several weeks
- refer you to a skin specialist for more tests and treatment if needed
Also Check: Is There Anything That Really Works For Toenail Fungus
I Would Highly Recommend This Doctor For Any And All Foot Issues
Prior to having my bunion removed , boy was I nervous. But to tell the truth, Dr. Patel put me at ease with everything from start to finish. My foot healed exactly as he said, and I wondered why I put it off so long. Susans nurse/office staff took care of all the paperwork and working with my insurance always on hand to assist with all my questions.
When the time came for my other foot, well it was a no-brainer. Dr. Patel is my only choice! I would highly recommend this doctor for any and all foot issuesnothing to be afraid of -take care of those feet.Sincerely,
Donna C. Hamden. CT
Use Of The Disinfectant Foot Powder
Foot powder weakens the cell membranes of the fungi, giving them little chance to multiply and spread. Sprinkle enough amount of foot powder in your shoes, and in your feet also as well especially if youre going to wear them right away. Dont forget to do the same thing to your shoes after you take them off.
Here are some disinfectant foot powder products available in the market today:
Don’t Miss: Does Tea Tree Oil Help With Nail Fungus
How You Get Athlete’s Foot
You can catch athlete’s foot from other people with the infection.
You can get it by:
- walking barefoot in places where someone else has athlete’s foot especially changing rooms and showers
- touching the affected skin of someone with athlete’s foot
You’re more likely to get it if you have wet or sweaty feet, or if the skin on your feet is damaged.
Page last reviewed: 08 June 2021 Next review due: 08 June 2024
Softening And Scraping Away The Nail
As it can take a long time for antifungal medication to work, some people may prefer to use a treatment that involves softening and removing infected parts of nail over a few weeks.
Treatment kits are available from pharmacies that contain a 40% urea paste, plasters and a scraping device. The paste softens the infected parts of the nail, allowing them to be scraped away so they can be gradually replaced with healthy nail.
To use the treatment:
Also Check: What Causes Nail Fungus On Feet
How To Prevent Toenail Fungus From Growing Inside My Shoes
Preventing toenail fungus may not be one of the main things on your to-do list, but it should be. Prevention is always better than cure and toenail fungus is pretty easy to get, so here few tips to keep your feet and shoes infection free:
When Should I Call The Doctor
In rare cases, toenail fungus can cause an infection called cellulitis. Without prompt treatment, cellulitis may pose a serious danger to your health.
You should seek treatment guidance from a trusted healthcare provider if you have:
- Circulation problems.
- Redness, pain or pus near the toenail.
- Weakened immune system.
You May Like: How To Cure Fungus Under Nail
A Pharmacist Can Help With Fungal Nail Infections
Speak to a pharmacist if the look of your nail bothers you or it’s painful.
They may suggest:
- antifungal nail cream it can take up to 12 months to cure the infection and does not always work
- nail-softening cream it’s used for 2 weeks to soften the nail so the infected part can be scraped off
The infection is cured when you see healthy nail growing back at the base.
Prevention Is The Best Treatment
Keep your feet clean and dry. Here’s how:
- Wash feet with soap and water daily.
- Change socks daily or twice a day if feet sweat a lot.
- Wear socks that absorb moisture. Cotton is best avoid wearing synthetic materials for extended periods.
- Dry feet thoroughly after a bath or shower use a hair dryer if necessary.
- Sprinkle talcum powder to absorb moisture.
- Wash socks and towels in hot water.
- Let feet breathe. Wear open shoes or sandals when possible.
- Dont go barefoot in public showers or near swimming pools or hot tubs.
Don’t Miss: Can Dermatologist Treat Toenail Fungus
Why Do I Keep Getting Toenail Fungus
Fungal nail infection can develop in people at any age, but its more common in older adults. As the nail ages, it can become brittle and dry. The resulting cracks in the nails allow fungi to enter. Other factors such as reduced blood circulation to the feet and a weakened immune system also may play a role.
How To Avoid Spreading Nail Fungus To Your Family
The thickened, yellowish, and ugly looking nails that result from a fungal infection of the nail bed can cause a lot of frustration and embarrassment. They can also cause a bit of fearfear that you might have to show those nails in public, yes, but also fear from your family or housemates that you might pass the condition on to them as well.
Fungal toenails are not nearly as contagious a cold or flu, but it can be transferred from person to person under certain circumstances. And the penalty for transmission is high, since the condition wont simply go away in a few days. Indeed, fungal toenails can last indefinitely if not treated, so while they make their home in your feet, its best toat the very leastkeep them to yourself!
Here are some steps you can take to contain the fungus and reduce the risk of transmission:
These steps can protect your family during an ongoing infection, but the best long-term prevention strategy is treatment. If you only live with an active fungal infection for a few months, the risk of spreading it is relatively low. If you ignore your fungal nails for years , each new day is a new opportunity to infect others.
We can help with that, of course! As a matter of fact, we offer advanced laser therapy for fungal toenails, which has proven significantly more effective than drug-based treatments. To schedule your appointment with Dr. Sanjay Patel in either Milford or Hamden, CT, give us a call today at .
Don’t Miss: Does Apple Cider Vinegar Get Rid Of Toenail Fungus
Treating Fungal Nail Infection
Treatment may not be necessary in mild cases of fungal nail infection. For more severe or troublesome cases, antifungal medication may be recommended.
A fungal nail infection is unlikely to get better without treatment, but if you’re not bothered by it you might decide it’s not worth treating because treatment can take a long time, may cause side effects, and isn’t always effective.
Whether or not you decide to have treatment, you should still follow the self-help advice below to help stop the condition getting worse or spreading to others.
Does Going Barefoot Help Toenail Fungus
Shoes keep germs away from your feet. However when you go barefoot, your feet are able to breathe and ventilate, which is beneficial for their health.
If you wear closed toe shoes too often, it might be difficult for your toenail fungus to dry out and heal.
Take the time to walk barefoot along dirt paths or in grassy areas regularly. This can help to expedite the healing process of your foot fungus infection.
However, for the purposes of public areas, it is important to wear shoes to decrease the risk of fungal problems spreading to others.
How do you clean shoes with toenail fungus?
Shoes that you wear every day should be cleaned and disinfected regularly in order to prevent the growth of fungus.
Fungus thrives in moist and warm environments, so its important to keep your shoes clean and dry in order to prevent the spread of infection.
Heres how you should clean your shoe-
1. Use a stiff brush to clean the inside of your shoes, paying particular attention to areas where you are most likely to sweat.
2. Remove the shoelaces and use an old toothbrush to scrub them too. This will help get rid of any fungus that might be growing in these areas.
3. Coton balls are also great for getting into the inside of your shoes and cleaning out any dirt or debris that might be present.
4. After youve removed all visible traces of grime from the outside and inside of your shoes, wipe down with rubbing alcohol to kill any remaining fungus in these areas.
Read Also: How Common Is Toenail Fungus
Toenail Fungus Is Catchy And Not In A Good Way Learn How To Avoid Getting Infected
Clip. Clip. Clip. Most of your toenails are smooth and the nail-beds are light pink and easy to cut. But one toenail is thicker than the others, its a dull yellowish color, and it curls inward. Theres debris underneath and a slight smell. You have toenail fungus! Its an embarrassing condition that takes a long time to cure. And we bet you are wondering how you even got it in the first place.
Toenail fungus, also known as onychomycosis, is the same type of fungus that causes athletes foot. Its spread through spores and its quite contagious. Somewhere along the line you picked up some fungal spores and the keratin in your nails is their tasty treat.
How Long Does Fungus Live In Shoes Things You Should Know
Getting toenail fungus out of your shoes can be a long process if not done correctly. Toenail fungus tends to grow in dark, moist, warm places, so living in your shoes is the perfect place for a fungal infection. Toenail fungus not only thrives in shoes but its also extremely contagious. That why we highly recommend treating your toenail fungus infection as soon as possible to be on the safe side.
If toenail fungus is left untreated, fungi in shoes can lead to even more problems such as jock itch, ringworm and fingernail fungus. But you dont have to worry! Below we outline exactly how long does fungus live in shoes and how to prevent a fungal infection from spreading to other parts of your body.
Continue reading below to learn more about fungus in shoes.
Recommended Reading: What Spice Helps Toenail Fungus
What Is Toenail Fungus
Toenail fungus is a widespread fungal infection that affects the toenails. Less commonly, nail fungus infects the fingernails. Nail fungus is also called onychomycosis.
Toenail fungus happens when fungi get between the toenail and the toenail bed . This usually happens through a crack or cut in your toe.
Check Your Nails To Find Early Signs Of Infection
Following these precautions will reduce your risk of getting another infection. Fungal infection, however, are very common. You can get another one. Early treatment delivers the best outcome.
You can find signs of an early fungal infection by checking your nails and the skin around them at least once a month. You want to look for:
-
Changes in nail color, such as a white spot or brown or yellow streak
-
Changes to the texture of your nails
-
Soreness or swelling around a nail
-
Dry, itchy skin
If you notice any signs of infection, make an appointment to see your dermatologist.
ImageGetty Images
ReferenceGold LFS and Rosen T. Onychomycosis: Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies. Dermatology News . March 2016:2-15.
Recommended Reading: What Essential Oils Are Good For Toe Fungus