Congratulations, you successfully treated your toenail fungus. The last thing you want is to have it come back. To help to greatly reduce or even eliminate the possibility of an unsightly re-occurrence, take the time to read the following tips.
Practice Proper Foot Care
Many professionals recommend that you wash and thoroughly dry your feet, right before bedtime. However, as long as you do it once a day, the actual timing is up to you.
Keep your nails trimmed as short as possible. This shorter the nail, the less space for fungus to thrive. Cut each nail straight across, taking extra care not to cut the cuticle.
Sanitize Grooming Tools to Avoid Toenail Fungus
It is extremely important to sanitize grooming tools, such as clippers and scissors, after use. This is especially crucial if you share grooming tools with family members.
There are several ways to do this. They include the use of:
-Rubbing alcohol
-Bleach
-UV light
-Hospital-grade disinfectant
Say No to Bare Feet
Many people love the freedom and comfort of going barefooted. If you fall into this category, there are certain instances where you simply shouldn’t do so. Always wear flip-flops when you visit the spa, gym, beach or public swimming pool.
Fungal spores live and thrive in moist places. So, all of these areas are perfect breeding grounds, for fungal nail infection. You’ll never know where it’s lurking, waiting to come home with you.
Wear Comfortable Shoes to Avoid Toenail Fungus
It’s highly recommended that you stay away from pointy-toed shoes. Not only can these styles cause actual damage to your toes, they typically cause your feet to sweat more because they provide no room for adequate movement.
Square-toed shoes are the type of footwear that you should consider. Buy shoes that are constructed out of mesh or leather. They give your feet more “breathing” room, so they stay cooler and drier. Fungus doesn’t grow in cool, dry, places.
If your feet do sweat, allow your shoes to dry out for at least 24 hours before wearing them again. As an added precaution, sprinkle foot powder in each one.
Avoid the Use of Nail Polish
Avoid, or at least limit, the use of nail polish. Yes, the color is pretty. However, using it traps moisture between your nail and the polish itself. Moisture is the last thing you want on or near your toes.
As you can see, there are several things that you can do to help prevent the re-occurrence of a fungal nail infection. Unfortunately, if you don’t follow these tips, you have just as much chance of fungus coming back, as the original onset. It’s up to you to take the steps to keep your feet toenail fungus free.
