Staying One Step Ahead of Toenail Fungus

There are a variety of toenail problems, and within this category, toenail fungus is included. This condition affects the appearance of the nails, and can cause the nail to be lifted off the nail bed, which is a similar problem for ingrown toenails. Nail fungus is prevalent in damp and moist environments. The fungal spores will consume nail tissue, which results in the nail to thicken and hence, the nail bed can be lifted off. It’s important to take preventative measures to avoid toenail fungus, as it’s tedious to cure.

Here are ways you can protect your toenails:

• Wearing acrylic socks instead of cotton ones to avoid moisture accumulation
• Incorporating antifungal powder into your daily routine
• Wearing breathable and properly fitting shoes (orthotics and customized shoes)
• Washing your feet regularly
• Smoothing your toenails with a filer and avoiding sharp or uneven nails
• Wearing sandals or some form of footwear in public pool areas

Is alcohol a good preventive for athlete’s foot?

There are a lot of mixed opinions on the use of alcohol for athlete’s foot, so let’s assess the pros and cons of this method as a preventive measure. Alcohol can be used to get rid of bacteria, and, like hand sanitizer or hand soap, is designed to get rid of bacteria and germs. However, using too much alcohol results in your nails drying up. While alcohol may be getting rid of the bacteria, there are consequences for using it. On the other hand, using it in less quantities doesn’t effectively remove bacteria and can result in the infection recurring. A better alternative would be using soap and water. Therefore, alcohol is not a good preventive for an athlete’s foot.

Why is toenail fungus so hard to eliminate?

As mentioned above, alcohol is not good to counter toenail fungus because the infection will recur since alcohol cannot remove all the bacteria. However, toenail fungus is more complicated than simply removing fungal spores from the surface of the nail. Toenail fungus can penetrate into deeper layers of the nail and affect nail-generating cells, into a deep layer called the nail matrix. Sometimes severe infections require nail removals, showing how hard it is to rid the nails of fungus.

How does vinegar cure toenail fungus?

Vinegar (acetic acid) makes a great home remedy to treat toenail fungus because it has antifungal properties, which can kill off bacteria. To implement this treatment, soak your toenails into the vinegar for 10-15 minutes. Doing this about twice a day should result in the infection subsiding.

Does 91% isopropyl alcohol kill foot fungus?

Anything above 90% in isopropyl alcohol is considered ineffective in killing off bacteria than 70%  because it will take longer to kill off the bacteria, and sometimes, it will do nothing at all to bacteria or fungal spores. Sometimes, that concentration of isopropyl alcohol will leave the fungal spores in a dormant-like state, however, they will not be killed. It is important to note that isopropyl alcohol is effective against fungus, and not fungal spores.

What causes athlete’s foot on your hands?

A type of bacteria exists on our hands known as trichophyton. It is a pathogenic fungus that can grow on the human skin, hair, and nails. When our hands are dry and clean, the amount of trichophyton produced on our skin is limited. However, not following hygienic practices and having sweaty or damp hands can result in the fungus to grow, therefore, resulting in athlete’s foot on your hands. Contact with others who have athlete’s fungus can also transmit the fungal infection from person-to-person through contaminated surfaces or physical contact.

I have mild nail fungus. Should I go have a pedicure?

As mentioned above, there are direct and indirect ways to spread nail fungus. Getting a pedicure is not recommended as your feet can come into contact with many things and people, and if not properly diagnosed, it can be as severe as athlete’s foot, and you can transmit the infection by simply getting a cure. Consult your doctor about the nail fungus before getting a pedicure.

Can fresh aloe vera gel cure toenail fungus?

Aloe vera gel has been proven to have antifungal properties, making it ideal to use it as a treatment for toenail fungus. When applied, aloe vera gel will decrease the acidity of an area, and since bacteria tend to thrive in acidic environments, the bacteria will be killed off. It is a promising natural remedy, as aloe itself helps the nails grow healthy and shiny.

Are thick toenails a sign of fungus?

Thickening toenails have been shown to be a sign of toenail fungus as mentioned in the first section of this blog. When the toenails thicken, the nail bed can separate. To prevent the condition from reaching a severe stage, consult a health expert such as a certified pedorthist to investigate the possibility.

Other symptoms of toenail fungus include:

• Discolouration
• Brittle nails
• Distorted shape
• Odor

At our Burlington foot clinic, our pedorthist and chiropodist are able to successfully and quickly treat toenail fungus to restore the function and aesthetics to your foot. Serving Milton, Hamilton, Waterdown, Oakville, and Burlington we help you get back to healthy and happy living. Call us at 289-245-6624.