Toenail fungus is a common condition which many people combat every day. This infection is caused by the fungus that develops in the nail and makes it discoloured and brittle. Usually the person may have been affected with athletes foot and over time the infection gets transferred to the toenail. Usually toenail fungus is not painful in the initial stages but over time it can become very painful and some people may even find it difficult to walk a few steps. Hence, getting rid of toenail fungus is a priority.

A visit to the dermatologist will help you combat the fungus. If not, there are many home remedies such as ACV, tea tree oil, coconut oil etc which can be applied to reduce the inflammation and cure the toenail. However, we are going to talk about ways to prevent the occurrence of toenail fungus. Toenail fungus tips that will help prevent it are given below:

To maintain healthy feet you need to maintain good hygiene. Not maintaining proper hygiene is the main cause of fungal infections.

• The first thing that you should do is to clip your toenails. You should not clip them too deep as it may hurt the skin and this may lead to infection. Cut the toenails with a clean nail scissor. Also file the sharp edges of the toenails.
• Remember to buy and use shoes that are right for your feet. Do not buy shoes that are tight or shoes that touch your toenails. The toes should be able to rest properly in the shoe, so do not buy shoes that are narrow near the toes, buy the ones that are wider as the toes will have more space. Another point to note is that the shoes should be made of material that can breathe, such as leather or canvas. Breathable material means there would be air circulation and this will keep your feet dry. Damp feet are prone to infections. While buying shoes it is advised to buy during the evenings rather than the mornings as your feet are wider during the evenings, so when you buy in the evenings, you will buy comfortable footwear.
• If you are the type of person who sweats a lot in the feet, then you should not use the same footwear every day. Buy a few pairs and alternately use them. When not in use place them in the sunlight so that they can dry completely. Sunlight is known to kill bacteria, so it is an added advantage. Also use antifungal powder in your shoes to keep the shoes free from fungus.
• The most important point is to not walk barefoot in public areas. When you are in your gym locker room you may be tempted to walk barefoot but remember that most toenail fungus infections are caused by walking barefoot. Also avoid walking barefoot near swimming pools, public showers etc. Try to carry flip flops and use them wherever possible to minimize infections.