Toenail fungal infections are unsightly and undermine your health and your self-confidence.
Many people go through costly and potentially harmful treatments trying to eliminate the fungus. However, they almost always seem to overlook one key cause of toenail fungus: their shoes.
People are now pulling out their favorite summer shoes without realizing they’re simply strapping fungoid time bombs to their feet. Here are some tips on storing shoes for winter that will help keep your feet healthy and fungus-free year round!
What’s wrong with the way I’m storing my shoes?
Usually when people put their summer shoes into storage, they simply kick off their shoes, put them in a cardboard box and call it a day. When this happens, several factors come into play that can boost fungal growth. These are:
• A moist, dark environment
• Controlled temperature
• Something for the fungus to grow on and spread to
• Places for the fungus to spread
Storing shoes for winter in a cardboard box is almost certain to encourage fungal growth during the cold months. Especially in a heated storage space such as a closet or attic. Fungi love cardboard because it is particularly vulnerable to humidity. It traps moisture inside and giving them a great environment for growth.
What should I be doing instead?
When storing shoes for winter, there are some simple steps you can take to prevent fungus from growing. This also works well for winter apparel such as ski boots during the summer!
• Give your shoes a little time to dry out after you wear them for the last time. 48-72 hours is usually a pretty good rule of thumb.
• Treat your shoes with an antifungal spray, like the kind used in bowling alleys.
• Once the spray dries, liberally dust the insides of your shoes with baking soda. This will help draw out any remaining moisture and also keeps your shoes from smelling.
• Do not use cardboard! Cardboard provides an ideal incubation environment for fungi. It is also prone to mold, which can cause mild to severe allergic reactions and health problems in your family.
Instead, use a plastic container or bin to store your shoes, such as those made by Rubbermaid. Or a purpose-built plastic shoe box with air holes.
• If possible, store your shoes in a cold place such as an unheated attic. Fungi hate the cold, and this will kill them quickly.
What if this doesn’t work?
Storing shoes for winter is not an exact science, and a number of factors could put all your care and hard work for naught. These include:
• The material your shoes are made from. Some strains of fungi grow better in certain materials.
• An unseasonably warm winter
• Improper storage
In the vast majority of cases, the precautions outlined above are enough. Closed-toed shoes are far worse about hosting fungal growths than sandals or other open-toed shoes. This is because of increased air circulation and exposure to light, both of which fungi hate.
If you find yourself with a recurring fungal infection you can’t seem to get rid of, it’s time to fight back. Treat all your footwear to prevent it from coming back. Then come to Clear Toes Clinic and see if a laser fungal treatment is right for you, so you can love your feet again!
