You shouldn’t have to worry about hiding unsightly toenail fungus when shopping for summer shoes, but it’s hard to feel comfortable when fungal infections in your toenails cause nail thickening, discoloration, and even crumbling. Fortunately, this common condition, known as “onychomycosis,” is relatively easy to treat and prevent.
The team at A to Z Dermatology is here to help new and existing patients with toenail fungus problems. You can prevent toenail fungus with a few simple habits. And we offer effective treatment options for toenail fungus, including antifungal products, from our five locations in Mesa, Gold Canyon, Chandler, Sun City, and Casa Grande, Arizona.
With this guide from the foot health experts at A to Z Dermatology, you’ll have no problem clearing up toenail fungus outbreaks and preventing foot fungus issues in the first place. Here are our top tips for handling toenail fungus.
Fungi love warm and moist environments, and toenail and foot fungi are very contagious. So, if you’re going to be in a place where toenail fungus could flourish, take steps to protect your feet.
Don’t go barefoot in public areas like pools and showers — use flip-flops or shower shoes instead. You can also end up with toenail fungus if you share a shower with someone with a case or if you share socks with someone infected.
You can keep your feet from being a hospitable environment for fungi by ensuring they stay clean and dry. Wash your feet regularly with soap and water.
If you tend to have sweaty feet, it’s worth taking some extra time to prevent fungal issues. Always wash your feet with soap and water after you’ve worn sweaty shoes, and let your shoes dry completely before putting them back on. Switch to clean socks after working out for another degree of fungus protection.
Also, trim your toenails. Neatly-trimmed toenails with the nail cut straight across don’t leave much space for dirt and debris to build up. Longer toenails provide shelter for fungal infections to take root.
If you start to notice symptoms of toenail fungus, don’t delay treating the problem.
If you’ve had toenail fungus before, you may benefit from over-the-counter products containing the active antifungal ingredients terbinafine and clotrimazole.
We can also prescribe medications or topical creams and nail lacquer to heal the infected nail.
You may need to continue using prescription medication for several months to totally eliminate the toenail fungus.
It’s important to completely address toenail fungus problems, as the infection can spread to your other nails and even your fingernails.
In severe cases, surgical treatment may be needed for toenail fungus infection. So, don’t let it get to that point. Follow our recommendations for toenail fungus prevention, and enjoy the summer sandal season fungus-free.
Contact the A to Z Dermatology team today for professional nail fungus treatment or prevention advice. Schedule your appointment by calling now or booking online.
