You could not notice the appearance of fungus, if you don’t pay much attention to your nails or if you wear a lot of bright nail paint.

However, when a fungus nail infection begins to spread, there are clear indicators. Your nails could become thick and tinted yellow, brown, or chalky white. They could also start to fracture or get brittle and crumbly.

It takes a lot of work by a podiatrist at wound care Orange County to get rid of a fungal nail infection. Therefore, learning how to avoid one altogether is a good idea.

According to a study printed in the July 2014 issue of The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, roughly 14% of people have toenail fungal infection, which accounts for up to half of all nail diseases. You must visit a Podiatrist in Orange County wound care for proper treatment.

Healthy habits for preventing toenail fungus

Maintaining good hygiene is essential for healthy feet, thus it is crucial to keep your toes dry and clean.

To avoid a toenail fungal infection, remember these recommendations:

1.      Clip your toenails correctly

Use nail scissors or clippers that have been properly cleaned to trim your toenails, and make sure to cut them across the middle. Using a nail file to lightly file any sharp edges is acceptable.

2.      Wear flip-flops/shower sandals

While moving in warm, damp places like swimming pools, gyms, locker rooms, and spas prefer flip flops or shower sandals, which help you from developing athlete’s foot and nail fungus.

3.      Choose breathable footwear

Your feet will be drier and less prone to toenail fungus the more air that can circulate about them, as per the American College of Foot and Ankle Orthopedics and Medicine. Your best chances are shoes composed of breathable materials like leather or canvas.

4.      Alternate shoes

Fungi flourish in moist environments, such as wet shoes. Give shoes 24 hours to dry out before wearing them again to stop this growth.

5.      Never share nail clippers/shoes/skates/towels

Sharing a personal object puts you at risk of contracting a fungus. By sharing personal belongings, people can also contract ringworm and athlete’s foot, both of which are fungal skin infections.

6.      Sprinkle antifungal powder on the shoes

These products can help keep fungus from forming in your shoes, but they cannot treat fungal nail infection.

7.      Put on a clean pair of socks every day

Change your socks whenever they become sweaty. This hinders the development of fungus. Additionally, using moisture-wicking socks helps reduce the frequency of sock changes.

8.      Sanitize your nail clipper

Always clean and wash your nail clipper with soap and water before wiping it down with rubbing alcohol before using it.

9.      Protect against injury

The fungus can grow when the skin around your nails or the nail bed becomes damaged. Never bite your nails or rip off a hangnail.

10.  Keep your feet dry and clean

Keep your feet dry and spotless. Every day, give your feet a thorough wash with soap and water, making sure to get in between your toes. Following a good wash, thoroughly dry your feet.

Visit any foot and ankle specialist Orange County to seek more bits of advice.