Keep Nail Equipment Clean
When I first got my first pair of Nail Clippers, I was astonished at how simple it was to use and how easy it was to keep the tools clean. The first thing I did was put them in the dryer for a few minutes to loosen up any dirt or debris on the wheels.
A natural cleaning agent was applied to the soft plastic handle of each item to make it easier to manipulate. Then, each tool is placed in the pad where they would be inserted into the toenail. I even found out later that there are a variety of available pads that were made especially for the purposes of providing protection from the sun.
After making sure that the toenails were ready for insertion, I first started by putting a firm, flat and smooth surface on the footwear to keep the surfaces of the nails against the body of the shoes. You can use a toothpick, felt tip pen, cardboard, toilet paper, or anything that will fit in the shoe. Depending on your nails, you may have to do this several times during the day.
As you are inserting the nail, you will find that there are a number of different ways to do this. Some people prefer to poke it with a tweezers and others may use a plastic stick to slide into the groove. When using a stick to slip into the grooves, make sure to make an angled force that prevents the stick from cutting the root of the nail. This will help to keep it from growing and infecting the toenail as well as the body.
Tips To Help Prevent Toenail Fungus
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Warm, sweaty feet are a breeding ground for a toenail fungal infection. Find out how you can sidestep this threat and keep your feet healthy.
Preventing toenail fungus may not be at the top of your to-do list, but perhaps it should be. Fungi are nearly everywhere in our environment, and they particularly love dark, moist, warm places, like inside your shoes. That makes it relatively easy to stumble upon a toenail fungal infection .
As many as half of all nail disorders are due to toenail fungal infection, and the condition affects about 14 percent of the population, according to a study published an an issue of The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology.
How Toenail Fungal Infections DevelopToenail fungal infections are most often caused by microscopic organisms called dermatophytes. These organisms feed on keratin, the protein found in nails and hair.
There are several factors that increase your risk of developing a toenail fungal infection. Most people contract toenail fungus from a fungal skin infection such as athletes foot that transfers to the nail, says Jane E. Andersen, DPM, a podiatrist at Chapel Hill Foot and Ankle Associates in North Carolina and a spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association. The wrong footwear can also take a toll on your toes. If toenails are traumatized by pressure from ill-fitting shoes, for instance, theyre weakened and more susceptible to fungus, she says.
What Causes Athletes Foot
Athletes foot breeds in warm, wet places such as locker rooms, gyms, swimming pool decks and changing rooms, or any place that is high in humidity and foot traffic. Unsterilized equipment used at a commercial salon or at home can also lead to infection.
Athletes foot is highly contagious, spreading through the touch of toes or feet of an infected person or by walking barefoot on contaminated surfaces such as swimming pools or shower rooms. Upon infection and if left untreated, the fungi continue to grow in your shoes where airflow is limited.
If you have athletes foot, treat it immediately to minimize further infection.
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When To See A Doctor About Toenail Fungus
If you are experiencing persistent toenail fungus or pain is present, you may need to see a specialist. A dermatologist or podiatrist may be able to assess your symptoms and send a small sample of the affected toenail or flesh to a laboratory to be analyzed as there are various types of fungi and yeasts that cause onychomycosis. Knowing the specific cause of your foot fungus can help identify what route to take to treat your condition.
Nail changes can also be caused by underlying conditions, like psoriasis and diabetes, so its important to seek professional medical advice if your condition persists or worsens. Bacterial and fungal infection of skin in diabetes patients often result in hospital admissions, and in severe cases, can result in amputations. If you are at a higher risk for infection, you should skip home remedies and seek professional medical treatment.
The Danger Of Waiting To Treat The Fungus
The greatest danger of not treating the foot or toenail fungus is that it can spread to other parts of the body, such as the hands and groin.
If for some reason you cant treat your toenails or your feet right away, at least use an antifungal topical cream on the surrounding skin, Dr. Ng says. That will help keep it from spreading and keep the skin intact.
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Question 3question 3 Of : How Long Does It Take To Get Rid Of Foot Fungus
Keep The Shower Shoes
The shower shoes are essential in summers if you wish to stay safe from toenail fungus. People often visit pools and water parks in the summers, but they should walk barefoot there. Do not make this mistake. The wet floors are more likely to have fungal spores.
To minimize the risk, you need some excellent-quality shower shoes. These shoes are pretty effective in keeping your toenails safe.
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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.
by Tom Truong, DPM | Feb 7, 2017 | Toenail Fungus
Families spend a lot of time close together. This can be great for having fun, sharing meals, and generally enjoying each others company. However, it does put family members at a higher risk for sharing unpleasant things, like illnesses and infections. The more contagious something is, like fungal nails, the more likely it will spread through a family. Fortunately, there are ways you can help protect your family from toenail fungus.
Toenail fungus is a highly-contagious, easy-to-spread, hard-to-treat infection. It thrives in warm, damp environments, like pools, locker rooms, and even showers. It transfers to other surfaces on contact, like your feet or things like towels and footwear. Preventing the infection is much better for your family than trying to treat it.
How To Prevent Toenail Fungus
Posted by Laura | Oct 31, 2020 | Skin Fungus, Treatment | 0 |
Its not always possible to prevent toenail fungus, but often it is. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and its better to prevent nail fungus than to have to try to treat it. Well tell you what you can do, but well also tell you what to do if all your efforts at toenail fungus prevention dont work and you end up with an infection anyway.
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Nail Removal Home Remedies And Laser Treatment
In the most serious instances of toenail fungus infection, the toenail may be removed surgically or dissolved with acid. This can be done to just a portion of the nail in the hope that the remaining nail will grow back healthy. In cases where the entire toenail has to be removed, artificial nails and products using light-cured resins to form a temporary covering can be used to protect the underlying tissue until the nail grows back.
If you prefer to go the home-remedy route, such as applying tea tree oil or Vicks VapoRub to your nails, keep in mind that the effectiveness of these products for treating toenail fungus hasnât been well studied, and they are not recommended by podiatrists.
Finally, the Food and Drug Administration has approved several laser devices for temporary increase in clear nails in patients with onychomycosis. But while laser treatments are vigorously marketed, clinical trials of lasers have reported mixed results, and the treatments may not be covered by health insurance. If you wish to try laser treatment of toenail fungus, speak to your doctor about what to expect from the treatment, and call your insurance carrier to find out whether the treatment will be covered.
Additional reporting by Susan Jara.
How To Prevent Athlete’s Foot
How to prevent athlete’s foot
Athlete’s foot is a common fungal infection that most people get from walking barefoot in moist public places, like a swimming pool deck or locker room.
To reduce the chance of catching athlete’s foot, board-certified dermatologists recommend that you take the following precautions.
Despite the name, athletes foot can happen to anyone. It can result in flaky skin, cracking, and itchiness on the soles of the foot and between the toes.
To reduce the chance of catching athletes foot, dermatologists recommend that you take the following precautions:
Wear shower shoes, flip-flops, or sandals when walking around pools, gyms, shower or locker areas, and hotel rooms. The fungus that causes athletes foot may be on the floor. Even when taking a shower in a gym, it is important to wear shower shoes or flip flops.
Even if you have not gone barefoot in public areas, keep your feet dry. This fungus thrives in warm, moist areas such as the one created inside hot, sweaty shoes. Wearing sandals or flip-flops helps when its hot outside. Shoes that are made from synthetic materials like plastic and rubber are more likely to cause sweating.
Wash your feet every day with soap and completely dry them after washing.
Wear socks made of natural fabrics or fabrics that dry quickly or wick moisture away from the skin. Also, be sure to change your socks every day and more often when your socks get wet.
Related AAD resources
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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 .
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.
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Athlete’s Foot: How To Prevent Irritating Foot Fungus
Athlete’s foot is one of the most common fungal infections of the skin and is frequently seen in our office. Whether you’ve had it or not, it’s important to understand how you can avoid and treat this highly contagious infection if you do contract it. The fungus that causes athlete’s foot thrives in damp, moist environments and often grows in warm, humid climates, such as locker rooms, showers and public pools hence the name “athlete’s foot. ” This infection can itch and burn causing the skin on your feet and between your toes to crack and peel.
How Contagious Is Toenail Fungus
Toenail fungus is a contagious fungal skin infection that can be spread directly or indirectly. It is most commonly spread in warm, moist environments. These locations typically include public swimming pools, communal showers, gyms, and locker rooms. To help prevent obtaining a fungal infection, it may be beneficial to wear appropriate footwear when you are in these locations. Some symptoms of this condition may include discoloration of the affected toenail, thickening of the toenail, and in more severe cases, the toenail may become brittle and begin to break off. In order to safely treat a toenail fungal infection, its suggested that you consult with a podiatrist for professional care and advice.
If left untreated, toenail fungus may spread to other toenails, skin, or even fingernails. If you suspect you have toenail fungus it is important to seek treatment right away. For more information about treatment, contact Dr. Manx D. Quayle of Aurora Foot and Ankle Surgical Specialists. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Symptoms
- Buildup of bits and pieces of nail fragments under the nail
- Brittle, broken, thickened nail
Treatment
If self-care strategies and over-the-counter medications does not help your fungus, your podiatrist may give you a prescription drug instead. Even if you find relief from your toenail fungus symptoms, you may experience a repeat infection in the future.
Prevention
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What Foods Should You Avoid To Prevent Toenail Fungus
Do you love carbs? If you do, then you have one thing in common with those pesky fungi. They easily metabolize most carbohydrates, which causes them to multiply faster than you can munch down that glazed doughnut.
You dont need to go on a totally carb-free diet, but you can cut down on the following:
- Sugary foods and sweetened drinks. Its okay to indulge your sweet tooth every once in a while. But if youre especially prone to fungal infections, or if youve had one before, you might want to think twice before getting that extra slice of chocolate cake or supersizing that soda.
- Refined carbohydrates. Also known as bad carbs, some examples of these are white rice, white pasta, pancakes, waffles, and any kind of bread that isnt whole grain. What sets these apart from the so-called good carbs is the refining or milling process. This eliminates all the good stuff from whole grains such as dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals.
- Alcohol.Aside from the fact that some alcoholic drinks have more sugar than you might think, alcohol can also weaken your immune system. This makes you more prone to fungal overgrowth and thus lead to toe nail fungus, among other kinds of fungal infections.
You Can Avoid A Foot Fungus Infection With These 3 Simple Tips:
If you are experiencing itchy, smelly foot fungus, see your foot doctor for the proper care. At Your Next Step, our team of board-certified podiatrists has access to advanced technologies, along with years of experience, to help diagnose and treat a variety of foot and ankle problems, including sports injuries, joint pain, toe deformities, nail fungus, chronic tendon pain, and skin problems. Dr. Eric Ricefield, Dr. Mark Yagodich, and Dr. Aliza V. Eisen provide high-quality foot and ankle care to patients in the greater Philadelphia area at our offices conveniently located in Ardmore, Paoli, and Downingtown, PA. Please contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment.
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