One of the most stressful parts about nail fungus is how commonplace it can be. One moment you’re doing just fine, and the next one of your toenails is suffering from discolouration and unusual thickness. The trouble is that the people who end up with a fungal infection feel embarrassed and anxious about the situation, afraid they might spread it to others.
While it can be a troublesome scenario for most, there is no reason to worry about nail fungus — especially if you make use of a few essential methods for prevention. Even if you do end up with nail fungus, there are tablets for fungal nail infection available to help clear the affected area. That said, here are ways to avoid nail fungus without the stress.
Due to the presence of sweat in a damp environment, it can be much easier than usual to catch a fungal infection in a public changing room or gym. To help ensure that you avoid potentially catching anything, it would be best not to go barefoot around public locker rooms or pool areas. If you have to take a shower at the gym, ensure that your feet are nice and dry before leaving the shower.
The best way to avoid catching anything would be to avoid public changing rooms in general, though some people have no choice. Fortunately, awareness and a mindset toward prevention can go a long way.
While the idea of giving up nail polish or artificial nails might be too much for some, such methods can often cause nail infections that could eventually lead to a problem with fungi. For those that are adamant about nail polish or artificial nails, ensure that you choose a salon that is religious about sterilizing their equipment. You can never be too careful.
If you are the type to enjoy workouts, it is not a good idea to wear the same footwear you wore yesterday to the gym. It is a better idea to cycle footwear to lower the risk of the shoes developing a damp environment ripe for fungal infections. Allowing your shoes to air out between the days is an essential tip for anyone wanting to avoid fungal infections without stress. Considering that most workouts involve alternating days, ensuring that you only wear one pair of footwear for workouts is a good rule of thumb.
Last but certainly not least, if you end up getting a fungal infection, there is nothing to be embarrassed about. It’s something that can happen to anyone, even those that make a habit to stay on top of their hygiene. The only thing anyone can do is to make sure their feet can breathe and to keep both their hands and feet dry — while avoiding going barefoot in public spaces. The best part is with the right treatment, fungal infections won’t take very long to clear.