Nail Hygiene to Avoid Fungal Infection

Some simple nail hygiene to avoid fungal infection (onychomycosis) can help fend off this common and distressing medical problem. The fungi that can live in fingernails and toenails, and cause them to become deformed and discolored, are found in the environment around us: some of them are specially adapted to living in the nails, hair, skin, horns, and hooves of living things; others land there by accident. The best defense against both kinds involves not only taking good care of nails, but also altering behavior so that we are less likely to pick up the fungi in the first place.

Onychomycosis prevention is harder for some people than for others. Doctors aren’t sure why some people seem to be more susceptible to the infection, but it probably has something to do with the way their immune system reacts to fungi. People tend to be more susceptible as they get older and some families seem prone to infection. There’s not much any of us can do about this, but we can all use basic nail hygiene to avoid fungal infection: keep nails clean and trimmed. Fungi usually get in under the front edge of nails where dirt tends to collect: clean your nails frequently and thoroughly!

Some other basic advice about nail hygiene to avoid fungal infection includes responding promptly to warning signs. Treat skin infections such as athletes foot promptly because these infections can spread to the nails. Any time there is injury to a nail or to the skin immediately surrounding it, take special care to keep the site clean and try to leave it exposed to the air as much as possible. Keep your feet dry all the time; after swimming, showering, or bathing, dry carefully between the toes so that no moisture is trapped there. Onychomycosis prevention depends on not giving the fungi the right conditions for growth.

The dermatophytes - fungi adapted to live in nails, hair etc. – usually spread indirectly from one person to another: infectious spores fall from infected nails, catch in footwear and clothing, spread themselves around pool decks, communal showers, dressing rooms, spas, hot tubs etc., and on equipment in beauty salons. Onychomycosis prevention in these circumstances depends on everybody keeping things clean, protecting their feet and hands, and avoiding such places if they think they are infected. Don’t share footwear, socks, towels etc. with other people; always wear something on your feet in damp public places, and practice good nail hygiene to avoid fungal infection.