Toenail fungus is so common that almost half of all Americans will experience it before they are 70-years-old. It’s simply an infection of your toenails that can cause them to become discolored, form a thick coating, split or become disfigured. Sometimes this can be uncomfortable.
Causes Of Toenail Fungus
There are quite a few ways in which you can contract toenail fungus including:
- Environmental causes of toenail fungus include walking barefoot in public places such as fitness centers and their shower area. Public swimming pools are another good gathering spot for fungi.
- Sharing nail polish with someone who has toenail fungus. In fact, you shouldn’t even wear nail polish if you have toenail fungus because this will prevent it from healing properly. It could even make the situation worse.
Preventing Toenail Fungus
The best way to prevent toenail fungus is to stop it from happening in the first place. This is especially important if you’re prone to these types of infections. In either case you should:
- Keep your feet washed, clean, and dried
- Make sure that your shoes fit your properly and that they’re not too tight or uncomfortable.
Toenail Fungus In War Times
As a war veteran it’s particularly difficult to take proper care of your feet. Nevertheless, they are your most important tool. Since you have to wear a specific type type of boot or shoe whenever you’re in the military and go on missions in swampy and marshy areas that allow this dirty water to seep into your footwear it can be difficult to take care of your feet properly. Of course, it also doesn’t help that you’re constantly using your feet and thus they often suffer damage due to the amount of wear and tear that they are exposed to.
Seeking Help
There are numerous causes of toenail fungus. However, with proper care and treatment you can win the battle. Sometimes you may need to seek medical attention though. Oftentimes, the fungal condition can be cured with the oral or topical medications that they will prescribe. There are also more modern methods such as laser treatment that have a 90% effectiveness. Before the problem worsens, it’s always best to seek professional help.
