Prevention of nail fungus on the feet and hands: folk remedies, personal measures

Onychomycosis is an infection common among the population. It delivers both tangible discomfort and spoils the appearance of the legs. Prevention of nail fungus reduces the likelihood of contracting the disease, prevents long and difficult treatment.

Who is most likely to get infected?

The causative agents of onychomycosis are unsafe for every person. But especially careful should be those who are in the group of potential risk of infection. For such people, regular prevention of nail fungus should become a daily routine.

The list of susceptible to onychomycosis is headed by persons whose relatives suffer from this disease. In addition to basic preventive measures, they have their own ways to prevent infection, concerning the circle of a separate family. This list includes the following recommendations:

• the patient should have his own shoes, which he wears at home and on the street;
• you can not wear any wardrobe items, a person suffering from mycosis;
• after taking a bath for each family member, it is necessary to treat its surface with disinfectants.

Also, a fungal infection of the feet is susceptible to persons who suffer from the following diseases:

• phlebeurysm;
• flat feet and other deformities of the feet;
• nail injuries - chemical or physical;
• diabetes.

Potential Risk Locations

Most often, infection with onychomycosis pathogens occurs under the following circumstances:

• insufficient adherence to foot hygiene;
• visiting public places - showers, swimming pools and beaches;
• use of other people's care items, clothing and footwear;
• visits to beauty salons for manicure and pedicure sessions.

In the listed places, a person runs the risk of catching a fungal infection more often. Unfortunately, this is not always obvious the first time. Often, too much time passes between the moment of infection and the development of the pathological process - from a couple of months to several years.

This means that certain triggering factors are required to activate the fungus in the body. These include:

• wearing tight uncomfortable shoes;
• low immunity;
• chronic stress;
• poor nutrition;
• trauma to the nail fold.

In these cases, the rapid development of the pathological process begins - the nail changes color and structure, crumbles, provoking signs of itching and burning. It is at the first symptoms of onychomycosis that treatment should be started. But, of course, it is better not to bring it to him, but to follow the measures aimed at preventing infection in time. We will talk about them further.

Prevention of fungus after the pool

A person visiting a swimming pool, beach or public shower should pay attention to preventing toenail infections. This rule especially applies to children, due to their frequent stay in such places and an insufficiently developed immune system.

In every room of the pool and shower, you must not remove flip-flops or slippers intended for swimming, where this is not provided for by the instructions. They should be made from materials that are easy to clean and dry.

After visiting the pool, feet must be washed in the shower with soap and dried thoroughly with a towel. Unfortunately, the last rule is rarely followed by children, so adults need to supervise this process.

Prevention of mycosis

It consists in preventing the onychomycosis pathogens from entering the surface of the skin and nails.

Prevention of the disease is based on the recommendations listed in the table.

Conditions	Requirements
IN THE BATH	It is forbidden to stand with bare feet on the floor of public baths, saunas and swimming pools - it is important to always wear rubber slippers.
IN THE SHOWER	After taking a shower at home or in other conditions, you should not become bare feet on the floor - when leaving the bath, it is better to put a clean towel on it in advance.
IN A BEAUTY SALON	Before the pedicure or manicure procedure, the master must certainly disinfect the entire instrument. It is important to personally verify this.
IN A SHOE STORE	You need to try on shoes in nylon golfs or socks, but in no case on bare feet.
IN THE HOUSE	Shoes, sandals and other footwear should be clean and comfortable. If they are not ventilated and washed from the inside, the risk of onychomycosis and candidiasis of the feet increases significantly.
WITH STRONG PROOF	It is necessary to treat shoes in addition with antiseptic agents - powders and deodorants.

Emergency prevention of fungus with drugs

Compliance with preliminary and personal prevention does not always give a 100% guarantee against infection. Sometimes, in the case of an increased risk, it is necessary to use medications that reduce the likelihood of infection with onychomycosis to almost zero.

On the shelves of pharmacies you can find sprays, creams, ointments, varnishes and powders with antifungal effect. Let's consider what you can look for in solving this problem.

FOOT CREAM "TANGO". Anti-inflammatory drug that effectively protects the skin and nails from the introduction of fungal spores. Its active ingredients are bay leaf extract and essential oils. The product protects against onychomycosis, gives freshness and fights excess perspiration.

SPRAY MYKOSTOP. A prophylactic agent that experts recommend using constantly when in contact with potential sources of infection. Also, the spray can be used for the systematic disinfection of shoes due to its disinfecting effect.

MYCOSORAL. Available in the form of tablets, cream, spray and ointment. The drug is of a wide spectrum of action, therefore it can be used both for prophylactic and therapeutic purposes for onychomycosis of the legs. Pimafucin cream has the same effect.

LACQUER LOCERIL. Excellent prevention of fungal nail infection. The remedy not only protects against onychomycosis, but also treats this disease.

Prevention of foot fungus with folk remedies

In alternative medicine, there are many ways to prevent mycotic infections. They have practically no side effects and are generally well tolerated by the body. Therefore, for the purpose of prevention, it is better to give preference to them.

Consider what traditional medicine offers us:

• SODA. The number one agent in the prevention and control of onychomycosis in traditional medicine. 1 tbsp. a spoonful of sodium bicarbonate is added to a liter of water heated to 45 degrees and the nails of the hands and feet are kept in the prepared solution.
• SEA SALT. Natural antiseptic, on the basis of which therapeutic and prophylactic baths are made. For a liter of hot water, you will need 1 tbsp. a spoonful of salt. The procedure lasts at least 15 minutes, after which the feet are thoroughly dried with a towel.

• IODINE. Excellent fungicidal agent. If you suspect a fungal infection, it is recommended to treat the nail plates and the skin around them with a solution of this antiseptic. Foot baths are also made with the addition of 10 drops of iodine per liter of water.
• MANGANTSOVKA. Acts by analogy with iodine. On its basis, foot baths are prepared, nail plates are treated with a strong solution of potassium permanganate.

Personal measures to prevent fungus

The observed rules of personal hygiene allow you to avoid contracting an obsessive infection. We invite you to learn more about them:

• make sure that your feet are always dry;
• regularly do a pedicure with instruments previously disinfected with antiseptic agents;
• wash your feet every day with soapy water, and after cleansing, thoroughly wipe your fingers from the base to the very tip;
• fight excessive sweating of the feet;
• use, if necessary, prophylactic drugs, for example, Lotseril varnish or Mikostop spray;
• do not walk barefoot in public places - in saunas, baths, pools;
• do not take other people's hygiene products - washcloths, towels and slippers (even if they belong to family members);

• if infected with onychomycosis, use disposable or separate towels for this part of the body;
• wear comfortable shoes that fit in size and consist exclusively of natural breathable materials;
• regularly change socks, stockings and tights, especially when it comes to excessive sweating;
• hosiery is better to choose from hygroscopic fabrics (natural fibers) and wash them only in hot water using washing powder;
• regularly wash the surface of the bathroom, shower cabin, basins and sinks used by family members with antiseptics;
• do not get carried away with self-medication - a late appeal to a specialist is fraught with the aggravation of the pathological process and the risk of infection of others.

Memo for each family member

Next, we will present a number of rules that everyone must follow throughout life. It is important for babies to instill these basics from an early age.

So, all family members should follow the recommendations from the memo:

• Observe moderate physical activity - play sports, hardening and regularly drink vitamins.
• Each family member should have four towels: for feet, hands, body and face, and an individual hygiene kit, which includes: comb, toothbrush, washcloth and manicure supplies. These items must be stored separately in a personal drawer or on a shelf.
• Use antibacterial soap for washing twice a week, which destroys pathogenic flora on the body and creates a protective barrier on the skin.
• Monitor the condition of the shoes - wash, ventilate, remove moisture in a timely manner with special dryers with ultraviolet irradiation. Never wear damp boots or boots.
• To carry out daily wet cleaning in the living area using disinfectants.

Compliance with these simple rules will protect a person from fungal infection in his apartment.

Features of secondary prevention

If infection with onychomycosis could not be avoided and the treatment was successful, there is no need to relax. It is imperative to pay attention to the conditions for preventing the recurrence of the fungus, since the risk, even after complete recovery, remains increased.

Secondary prevention is as follows:

• after completing onychomics treatment, replace household shoes or wash them with a detergent at a high temperature;
• treat outdoor shoes with antifungal sprays such as Mikostop or table vinegar, and then place them in a bag for several hours to exclude contact with air;
• once a week, treat feet and nail plates with antimycotic agents;
• observe the rules of personal hygiene.

Prevention of the fungus is necessary to reduce the risk of contracting onychomycosis in healthy people. It is not difficult to become a carrier and spread the infection - it is enough not to follow the basic rules of hygiene. It is important to protect yourself from the penetration of pathogens, regularly carry out its prevention, and at the first suspicion, consult a doctor.