Risk Factors for Fungal Nail Infections

There are a number of factors which can influence your risk of contracting a nail fungus. These events or considerations can influence how your body fights against and interacts with different fungi-causing agents.

-Tight Footwear. Wearing footwear that is too tight crowds your toes together. The result of this is that they tend to stay warmer, promoting sweating, and fungi grow best in warm, moist locations. This makes sizing your shoes correctly important, not only for your comfort, but so that your toes get the appropriate amount of air.

-Exercise. Although good for your over-all health, exercise can cause repeated minor trauma to your nails. This allows fungi to get a foot hold on your nail, providing the physical location for them to grow and also access to the inside of the nail. Keep in mind that you are of greater risk if you tend to slam your feet into the front of your shoes, whether when running or doing an activity which requires you to stop quickly and repeatedly. Wearing tight shoes can be a factor here again, as your foot doesn't have the necessary room inside your shoes. This is not to discourage you from your favorite exercises, but to remind you to check your toenails and between your toes regularly. Most people who exercise regularly are also prone to fungal infections which cause athlete's foot, hence the name. You should check for fungal infections regularly, and be sure to wash your feet thoroughly.

-Communal showers. Communal showers are used mostly in conjunction with pools, locker rooms, and residence halls. Because of the amount of traffic through these shared showers, it is more likely that they have been exposed to fungi. It is a good idea to keep a pair of flip flops or other shower sandals handy where ever you are exposed to a communal shower. Keep them in your dorm room, work out bag, locker, or pool tote. They can help reduce your foot's exposure to fungi.

-Immune deficiencies. If you have an immune deficiency for any reason (perhaps due to illness, disease, or birth defect) your body has a hard time fighting off fungi, as well as all pathogens. You need to check your feet for any signs of fungi regularly and wash your feet thoroughly every day. You may also want to invest in a product like FungaSoap or Tea Tree Soaks which have been featured on this blog. These products help kill the fungus before it can grow on your feet.

Podiatrist and Fungal Nails

Fungal nails are caused by an infection that occurs underneath the surface of your nails. Sometimes the infection can penetrate inside your nails. In both cases that can be quite painful and impede your ability to walk or run. The fungus can cause the nail to become discolored, misshapen, and malodorous. Sometimes we can prescribe oral or topical medication and remove the diseased nail portions through a process known as debridement. In other cases we can surgically remove the infected nail and eliminate the fungus completely. This can allow a new, healthy nail to grow.

Tea Tree Soaking Crystals for Clear Toenails

Another product we have in our office to help keep your toenails clear of fungus is Tea Tree Ultimates Soaking Crystals, by PediFix. These all natural soaks are a blend of tea tree and peppermint essential oils, Epsom salt and sea salt. Tea tree oil is a natural defense against fungi that cause a range of problems, including toenail fungus and athlete's foot. This soak is also great at relieving aches and pains, itching skin, foot odor, and it helps to soften corns and calluses. Your feet are left refreshed, clean and great smelling. You can even use these crystals as a full body soak to relive sore muscles and joint stiffness, while still eliminating fungi and bacteria. And the manufacturer is so sure that you'll love their product, they offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

This product is also very simple to use. Simply fill a basin or tub with warm water, add contents of the packet, and stir with your hand. This will activate the essential oils. Then simply immerse your feet or your self into the basin or tub and enjoy a relaxing soak, muscle relief, and fungi-free feet! Here's a tip for use: adjust the temperature of the water to whatever is most soothing for you. If you want to take a long, full body soak, you can turn up the heat a little bit to have a long lasting, warm, enjoyable experience.

We especially recommend this product to patients who are susceptible to or are often exposed to sources of fungus. This product works equally well as a preventative measure, as well as a curative one. If you find yourself exposed to fungal agents (i.e. spending a lot of time around pools, public showers and other warm, damp areas) then this is a product you may want to consider using. Swing by our office for more information or to purchase these Soaking Crystals with Tea Tree Oil.

Funga Soap for Clear Toenails

Another one of our common treatments for fungus on your feet and toenails is Funga Soap made by PediFix. This all natural wash which can be used for your feet or as an all-over body wash is great for treating the causes of fungus, as well as serving to prevent future fungal infections. Funga Soap is enriched with Tea Tree Oil, which is an essential oil recognized for centuries for its natural antimicrobial and antiseptic properties. It helps to relieve the discomfort of itchy feet, foot odor, and common skin irritations. Just use Funga Soap as part of your daily bath or shower routine and rinse thoroughly. As always, dry your feet completely, and make sure the skin between your toes is dry. The manufacturer even offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee, they are so convinced you will love their product. Our office keeps this product in stock and recommends it often, because it is an all natural product which is effective against fungus. We often recommend it to patients with problems with toenail fungus, athlete's foot, foot odor problems, and to prevent future fungal infections. They experience a great amount of relief from the burning and itching sensations often associated with foot and toenail fungus. And this product can be paired with other treatments you are undergoing for any of these symptoms. Pair it with Gordochom to treat fungal toenails, or with an effective foot powder to reduce excessive sweating of the feet and the associated odor. This product comes in an easy to use shampoo-type plastic bottle. You can easily leave it in your shower for use daily.

This product is great for a range of patients. It is an excellent choice for patients who are susceptible to or have a history or fungal infections. It is also a good choice if you spend a lot of time around public pools or showers, where bacteria and viruses which cause fungus often thrive. Great for athletes, avid fitness participants and lifeguards. Also consider this product, especially as an all-over body wash, if you participate in a sport with a lot of person-to-person contact, like wrestling or martial arts. It will help prevent other forms of skin fungus from forming.

Gordochom for Clear Toenails

Many of our patients come into our office with complaints about toenail fungus. This is a common problem, and one we offer many solutions to. Gordochom topical antifungal by Gordon Labs is one such product. Gordochom has 25% Undecylenic Acid which is an effective antifungal agent and 3% Chloroxylenol which is a topical antiseptic, germicide and antifungal agent. This non-staining product is easy to use, just paint the product onto the affected toenails with the brush provided in the bottle. Undecylenic Acid is a fungistatic agent employed in the treatment of tinea pedis, ringworm and dermatophytosis. Chloroxylenol is a topical antiseptic, germicide and antifungal agent effective against a wide variety of causative fungi and yeast organisms. Among those affected by chloroxylenol are candida albicans, aspergillus niger, aspergillus flavus, trichophyton rubrum, trichophyton mentagrophytes, penicillum luteum and epidermophyton floccosum. The penetrating oil base vehicle serves as a delivery system, enhancing the impregnation of Undecylenic Acid and Chloroxylenol as antimicrobial agents.

DIRECTIONS: Cleanse and dry affected areas. Apply a thin application twice a day (morning and night) to the affected area, or as recommended by your physician. For athlete's foot, pay special attention to the spaces between the toes; wear well-fitting ventilated shoes, and change shoes and socks at least once daily. For athlete's foot and ringworm, use daily for 4 weeks. If condition persists longer, consult a physician.

We often pair this treatment with a prescription for three Lamisil tablets, which are crushed up and added to the Gordochom. We find this combination of medications to be quite effective for treating fungi that affect the feet and toenails.