Keep Summer Nails Free of Fungus

Fungal infections on your feet are one of the most unsightly foot ailments. These infections can affect the skin of your feet as well as your nails. A fungal infection is even the cause of athlete's foot. And when it affects your nails, it can cause them to crack, break, splinter and yellow. Fungal nails are usually pretty easy to spot, especially when you're going barefoot or wearing sandals, and look anything but healthy. So how do you protect yourself from the fungi that are responsible for these unsightly infections? Follow these tips.

1. Keep your feet dry. Fungi thrive in warm, dark, moist environments. This means your shoes are a fertile location for fungi to grow. Once your feet are exposed to the fungi, your shoes will not prevent the fungi from growing. But ensuring that your feet stays dry helps prevent fungi from ever taking hold. You should always alternate shoes every other day at the minimum to allow them the proper amount of time to air out. Don't store your shoes in your gym bag or locker if they will not get enough air to dry out. If you sweat a lot, you should consider using a foot powder to absorb excess moisture. You may also want to change your socks in the middle of the day.

2. Avoid places where fungi thrive. Fungi thrive in public showers, like the ones found in locker rooms, pools, public beaches and at camp grounds. Do not think that you should limit your activity and never visit these places, and don't sacrifice your hygiene for fear of foot fungi. Simply wear a pair of flip flops or other shower sandals in public showers and locker rooms. This will limit your contact with these fungi and help prevent their further spread. If someone in your family has foot fungi, try to keep the shower they are using clean, or ask them to use a different shower than the rest of the family. Consider a spray disinfectant that you can leave in the shower and ask them to use it after every shower.

3. Keep your feet clean. Clean feet are less susceptible to fungal infections, as you are likely to knock out the fungi before it can take hold on your feet. Wash your feet every time you take a shower or bath. Be sure to dry your feet thoroughly, especially in between your toes. This is also a good time to check your feet daily for any changes in shape or color- usual indicators of a problem.

4. Keep your feet healthy. Healthy feet are less susceptible to fungal infections. Not only should you keep them clean, but you should condition your skin as well, especially if you spend time barefoot. Skin that receives regular attention will be healthier, and thus less susceptible to fungal infections. Treat your calluses by trimming them. Moisturize your feet, except for in between your toes, where your feet are already moisture rich. These two steps will help prevent your skin from cracking. Cracking leads to open skin which is more susceptible to fungal and bacterial infection than healthy skin. you should use antibiotic cream on all cuts and abrasions on your feet to help them stay clean and heal faster.

If you think you are beginning to develop a fungal infection of the skin or nails of your feet please don't hesitate to contact your podiatrist. We have a number of treatment options and the sooner we start your treatment, the higher your chances of success and the less time it will take to return your skin or nails to normal. Also, try FungaSoap, a product from our online store. FungaSoap is specially formulated to help kill fungus. Using it before fungi have the chance to take hold will help prevent infections from even starting. Visit http://www.ourdoctorstore.com/vail/store/item.asp?ITEM_ID=504 to learn more or order this product.