Education about prevention of toenail fungus can be the best treatment for this very difficult to cure infection.

Proper foot hygiene is essential. Adopting the following prevention tips will help achieve this goal:

• Conduct a complete inspection of your feet on a regular basis. If you observe any changes in the appearance of your nails or skin, visit your doctor. If you do have toenail fungus, treatment is cheaper and more likely to be successful if started early in the infection.

• Wash your feet with soap and water.

• Dry your feet thoroughly, including between your toes.

• Keep your toenails short. Be careful not to cut them too short or you may cause tiny cuts in the skin through which the fungi can invade. Trim them straight across. Do not curve the nail corners.

• Overlong toenails will jam at the end of shoes and may cause bleeding allowing fungi to infect.

• Sterilize nail clippers after each use.

• Avoid wool and cotton socks and tight hosiery. They absorb moisture. Synthetic socks wick away moisture. This is especially important if you are involved in athletic activities.

• Use an anti-perspirant spray on your feet for excessive sweat.

• Wear open-toed shoes whenever possible. Wearing only closed-toe shoes provides fungi with an ideal environment.

• If you wear closed-toe shoes, choose shoes made of material that breathes and ensure there is plenty of room in the toe box to avoid jamming and friction against your toes.

• Use an anti-fungal spray or powder inside your shoes and on your feet.

• Change insoles often and ensure they are dry.

• Put your shoes in a ventilated area where they can dry out. Sports shoes stored in a locker cannot dry.

• If possible, change your shoes, socks and hosiery more than once each day.

• Wear flip-flops or some form of shoes in public pools, showers and locker rooms. Never walk barefoot.

• Wash your shower with bleach weekly.

• Frequently wash your shower mat in hot water.

• Choose a manicurist and pedicurist with meticulous sanitization procedures.

• Wash and carefully dry your hands after touching your feet.

• Do not pick at your feet or toenails.

• If you notice signs of changes to the color or texture of your toenails, do not cover with nail polish or fake nails. This will permit the infection to worsen.

The above tips are helpful for anyone who has had toenail fungus previously, currently has toenail fungus and needs to counteract spread of the infection or wants to avoid contracting the disease altogether.

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