Fungal infections are contagious and common. Even if you’ve had one, there’s always a chance of getting another one! Fungi thrive in warm, moist places, and are best prevented by taking precautions to keep the nails clean and dry. Here are 12 habits to keep your nails healthy:
1. Keep your nails short. When trimming your toenails, cut them straight across and keep your toenails shorter than the end of your toes. Fingernails should also be kept short. Do not tear or rip your nails on purpose. This helps prevent fungi and other germs from getting under your nails.
2. Be careful not to damage the nails when cutting them, as the fungus can enter the nails or the nail bed. Soak your toenails in warm water before cutting them, or cut them after a shower or bath.
3. Put on a clean pair of socks every day and whenever your socks get sweaty. This helps prevent fungi from growing.
4. Shoe hygiene:
• Wear shoes that fit well and aren’t too tight, and are made of leather, canvas, or mesh.
• Wear flip-flops in communal areas like swimming pools or gym showers.
• If your shoes are wet due to sweat or water, ensure that they’ve dried before wearing them again.
• Sprinkle antifungal powder in your shoes.
5. Avoid sharing personal items. Avoid sharing nail clippers, shoes, clothes, towels, and other personal items. People can get athlete’s foot and ringworm (a fungal infection on the skin) by sharing personal items. If you have a family member with foot fungus or nail fungus, use a different shower or wear flip-flops in the shower to avoid possible contact with it.
6. Keep your feet clean and dry. Carefully wash your feet with soap and water every day, taking care to wash and dry between your toes.
7. Avoid going barefoot in communal areas such as public showers, locker rooms, swimming pools or hotel rooms/showers.
8. Moisturise dry skin. Fungi can get in through small cracks in your skin. To ease dry skin, moisturise within five minutes of bathing and after washing your hands.
9. If you go to a salon for nail care, ask how often they disinfect nail clippers, emery boards, and other equipment. They should sanitise these after every client.
10. If you get athlete’s foot, treat it right away. Athlete’s foot is caused by fungi, and hence, this fungal infection can spread to your nails.
11. If you have diabetes, follow the foot care recommendations from your healthcare provider.