Toenail fungus is something most people don’t like to think about, let alone deal with. But it is something that can happen, and some people seem to face it far more than others.
The reason may very well be their job. With some professions toenail fungus is an occupational hazard. Those who work in those fields need to be extra careful to take the proper precautions to keep their toenails healthy. Here’s a sampling of who needs to be extra careful.
Lifeguard
Whether they work at a public beach or at a pool, lifeguards do their job in swim gear. They end up stepping with wet feet in areas where many other people have walked as well. In these areas, germs and bacteria can grow and can result in athlete’s foot or toe fungus. Drying the feet on occasion and wearing some sort of sandals when possible can cut down the chance of developing toe fungus.
Maintenance Staff
You might call them janitors or custodial engineers. You can also call people in these professions toenail fungus prone. Unlike lifeguards, a maintenance worker’s feet tend to be a little too well protected.
These workers wear tight shoes that cause feet to get hot and sweaty — two conditions that toe fungi love. Add in stepping through a spilled mop bucket and there’s little wonder why toenail fungus appears.
There is little to do about the conditions themselves, but if you work in this area, you can take precautions. You might bring a couple extra pairs of clean socks to change a couple times a day. You can also put inserts into your work shoes and change them often to curtail any opportunities the fungi has to grow.
Combat Soldier/Military Personnel
When a person in in combat, whether for real or for training purposes, many do not think about what might be happening with their feet. Like maintenance staff, soldiers and others in the military have their feet in combat boots much of the time. They may be subject to various weather conditions that bring moisture from both inside the boot and outside.
In the moment, there may not be a lot a soldier can do about the dampness and bacteria. But some of this can me avoided by changing socks regularly, and wearing good quality socks that will wick away moisture and keep feet dry longer.
Farmers
Planting and Tending to crops in the field and livestock is not easy work, but it is work that farmers and migrant workers take pride in. Long hours in hot or rainy conditions go with the territory, making these professions toenail fungus prone. Once the workday is done, workers need to get out of their boots, and thoroughly clean and dry their feet.
Construction Workers
Construction workers often work seasonally, with longer hours on hot summer days. They may also work in the rain, and down in the sewer system. This makes construction workers also among the professions toenail fungus frequently finds.
For some in these professions toenail fungus may lead them to another vocation, but not everyone wants this. Instead, they can take precautions when they are off duty. For example, smoking can increase a person’s likelihood of developing toenail fungus. Those who use artificial nails are also more susceptible.
