Nail Fungus? Act Fast!
Everyone wants clean-looking, healthy feet, especially when you’re at the beach or wearing sandals, but toenail fungus is enough to make you keep your socks on. Attacking toenail fungus at first sight keeps the problem from becoming unmanageable and unsightly.
Toenail fungus, also known as onychomycosis, is actually a fungal infection. If it is left to its own devices, it will spread from just a small spot to infect your entire toenail, and it can even spread to other nails. As the infection spreads, it moves deeper into your toenail. When it begins to spread, you’ll notice discoloration in the nail. Your nail may also begin to thicken and develop crumbling edges. Once the infection has reached this point, it can be difficult to get rid of without a doctor’s help.
Luckily, there’s no reason that toenail fungus has to get this bad before you do something about it. If you can catch the infection early before it spreads throughout your whole nail, you can easily treat it at home on your own.
Inspect Your Toenails Regularly
The first sign of a toenail fungus is a tiny white or yellow spot under the tip of the nail. Clip your toenails regularly, whenever they start rubbing against your shoes. This time frame will be different for different people because nails grow at different rates. When you clip your toenails, inspect your nails for white or yellow spots. If you see any spots, take action right away before the infection spreads.
Keep Your Feet Clean
Every time you take a bath or shower, thoroughly wash your feet with antibacterial soap, paying special attention to your toenails and the spaces between your toes. If you must shower in a communal shower, wear open-toed rubber sandals or flip flops to keep your feet away from fungus and bacteria that may be living in the shower.
Keep Your Feet Dry
Fungus thrives in wet environments, so keep your feet dry as much as possible. After you get out of the shower, dry your feet thoroughly with a towel or even a hair dryer before you put on your socks and shoes. If your feet get wet during the day because of perspiration, change into a dry pair of socks.
Apply a Topical Treatment
There are several types of topical treatments available for toenail fungus. These topical products come in two forms: creams and lacquers. You apply the cream just as you would apply lotion to the afflicted area. Lacquers are applied like fingernail polish. As the topical treatment takes effect, the dead toenail material begins to slough off. To speed the healing process, use a file to remove deteriorating nail material, and re-apply the topical treatment.
If you want to really attack the fungus, add one or two other home remedies to your arsenal. Vinegar has been shown in studies to inhibit bacterial growth, so soaking your feet for 20 minutes a day in a mixture of 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water can help attack your toenail fungus. Vicks VapoRub has also been known to help get rid of toenail fungus. Just rub it onto the afflicted nail as you would apply a fungus-specific cream.
Wear Properly Fitting Shoes
As you treat the fungus, help speed the process by wearing properly fitting shoes. Tight-fitting shoes restrict the blood flow to your feet, which hinders healing. Your white blood cells must be free to attack the fungus from the inside as you attack it from the outside with topic cream or lacquer, proper foot care, and regular observation.
If you have neglected your toenail fungus long enough that your toenails are severely discolored, brittle, or thickened, you may need to see a doctor. However, if you attack it at first sight by applying the above techniques, there’s no reason to seek medical attention. Keep an eye on your nails as you regularly maintain them, and your feet will look clean, healthy, and ready for the beach.