Are your toenails turning yellow and curling inwards? Do they appear thickened and brittle? Is the skin between your toes itchy or cracked? Maybe it’s a fungal invasion. Fungi lurk everywhere in our environment, and they are especially attracted to moist, dark, warm places – like the insides of your shoes!
According to a survey published in the July 2014 edition of The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 14% of the population suffers from toenail fungus. Read on to learn how to prevent – and if necessary, treat – foot fungus.
- Keep your feet dry
The fungi that cause athlete’s foot (a fungal infection of the skin of the foot) thrive in damp, dark places like moist socks and sweaty shoes. Athlete’s foot can spread to the toenails, causing a fungal nail infection that can become difficult to treat, not to mention gruesome to look at. So, make sure to dry your feet thoroughly after every shower or bath. Sprinkle your feet and the insides of your shoes with antifungal powder to absorb moisture and prevent the growth of fungal spores. You could even consider placing tissues between your toes during the day to help absorb moisture
2. Minimize your exposure
If you go for a pedicure, make sure the salon you select is scrupulously clean and that staff disinfect all tools in between clients. Never walk barefoot in public areas. This includes public swimming pools, the showers at the gym or at your hotel and the steam room. These high-traffic, damp, moist areas are likely to be teeming with the foot fungi of hundreds of people. Always wear flip-flops. And even at home, make sure to regularly disinfect your bath and shower. And spray the insides of your shoes with antibacterial spray every now and then.
3. Try the FUNGUCEPT NAIL SOLUTION kit The FUNGUCEPT kit consists of two all-natural, non-toxic products that have been clinically proven to kill 99.99% of all nail fungi, in as little as four weeks of daily use. Step 1 is a brush-on solution containing extra virgin olive oil, organic wild oregano oil, organic almond oil, organic tea tree oil, organic calendula and organic avocado oil. Step 2 consists of soft-gels containing organic wild oregano and extra virgin olive oil, to be taken orally.
4. Buy new shoes!
Ill-fitting shoes can damage and weaken your toenails, making them more susceptible to a fungal invasion. Selecting a shoe made from a breathable material, like real leather or canvas will allow air to circulate around your feet, keeping them dry and, hopefully, fungus-free. Finally, you need to rotate your footwear. Wearing the same sweaty shoes every day increases your chances of developing a fungal infection on your feet or toes. Shoes need days off too, to dry out between wearings.
5. Wear socks
When you wear shoes without socks your sweat lingers inside your shoe, increasing the risk of contracting athlete’s foot. So make sure you slip on a pair of cotton socks before sliding your feet into your favorite shoes.
