Prevent Fungal Nails

After a fungal nail infection has cleared up, you can take steps to prevent the infection from coming back.

Keeping the fungus under control will help prevent a fungal infection of the skin from reinfecting the nail. Before bed, thoroughly wash and dry your feet, and apply a non-prescription anti-fungal cream to the entire foot from the ankle down. Use the cream every night, then gradually apply it less often. Keep your feet dry. Dry feet are less likely to become infected. Apply powder to your dry feet after you take a shower or bath.

Other tips:

• Don't share nail clippers or nail files with others.
• Don't share shoes or socks with others.
• Try not to injure your nail, such as by cutting it too short (trauma to the nail may lead to infections).
• Wear dry cotton socks, and change them two or three times a day if necessary.
• Wear dry shoes that allow air to circulate around your feet (tight, enclosed, moist shoes contribute to fungal toenail infections).
• Wear shower sandals or shower shoes when you are at a public pool or shower.

Follow basic foot care guidelines and you more than likely can head off most common foot fungus problems.

Since fungal nails are usually more resistant and more difficult to treat than Athlete's foot, topical or oral antifungal medications may be prescribed. Permanent nail removal is another possible form of treatment for fungal nails. Laser treatment may also be an option.  As you may know, the use of the medication available today for treatment of fungus toenails, carries with it possible systemic involvement (commonly the liver and kidney). This laser does not!  Noveon laser treatments consist of 3 - fifteen minute sessions at day 1, day 14 and 60 days from initial treatment.  Depending on the severity of your onychomycosis a fourth treatment may be necessary.  Some people also have a predisposition to the disease and may require periodic treatments to kill any new fungal infection that may arise.  Visit the Ohio Nail Laser Center to learn more about Laser Therapy and how it can help you.