Toenail fungus is common and preventable, though many people who have it do not notice its presence right away. This is because it is painless at first. Not until it starts to take over the toenail does the pain start, by which time the problem is serious and you may lose your nail.
What the Fungus Looks Like
A fungus on the nail, when it first starts, is just a white mark. Later, a toenail thickens and changes color slightly. Eventually, the entire nail might start to come off.
4 Tips for Toenail Fungus Prevention
Keeping fungus at bay is not as hard as it may sound. Prevention is the key.
1) First of all, wear shoes that fit properly. They should not cram your toes. Choose materials for shoes and socks that allow feet to breathe, and also keep your skin dry. Damp conditions are ideal for fungus to survive and breed.
2) If your feet sweat a lot, change your socks at least once during the day. This is especially important if you cannot air out your feet or you plan to go for a long walk during lunch hour and will not have time to wash your toes.
3) Trim your nails. This prevents dirt and germs from finding a home. Do not pick your skin, giving bacteria inroads to cause infection.
4) Make sure you keep your feet, toes, and between toes clean and dry. After you wash them, dry thoroughly between and around toes. Public places like pools and hot tubs are notorious breeding grounds for germs of all kinds, including toe fungi. If possible, do not go barefoot into these places, but wear aqua shoes to protect your skin. Wash your feet as soon as you get home.
Toenail Fungus Treatment
If, in spite of all your efforts at prevention, fungus manages to crop up, there is a simple treatment to try during the initial stage of development. You can attempt to file away those first white spots. Make sure you file the entire white spot away, and also throw away the file or clean it thoroughly if it is not disposable.
If the fungus is beyond filing, a recommended method is laser treatment. The Astanza Revolution laser is a safe and effective option that is FDA cleared, and when used by professionals like Clear Toes Clinic in Houston, the results are very effective. Dealing with toenail fungus doesn’t have to hurt or take a long time, so a laser designed to treat this condition is an attractive opportunity.
