If you haven’t already started thinking about your spring feet, now is the time. The new season is right around the corner and, although the northeast has been wallowing in snow this winter, it heats up fast in Houston! The last thing you want right before sandal season are fungal toenails. Fortunately, you can take easy steps to prevent them.

No one enjoys living with nail fungus, and it’s hard to eliminate once you have it. The pathogen festers underneath the hard keratin of your nails, where it’s challenging for topical medications to reach. Oral medications can do the job, though they come with side effects. The best treatment of all, then, is to prevent infection in the first place.

This is actually possible if you know how to take care of your lower limbs. Fungus thrives in warm, damp, dark environments. Protecting your feet from exposure to the infection, and eliminating the fungus-friendly atmosphere around your lower limbs, can help you avoid the condition. Here are a few practical ways you can do that:

• Wash and Dry Your Feet Daily – Wash away old sweat and grime, then dry your feet completely, paying extra attention to the spaces between the toes.
• Keep Your Nails Trimmed – Shortened, healthy nails may not provide the opening for the infection to get under the hard keratin, so keep them the right length.
• Wear Moisture-Wicking Socks – These will help pull perspiration away from your skin.
• Rotate Through Breathable Shoes – Wear models that allow air to circulate so your feet are less fungus-friendly. Don’t wear the same pair two days in a row, either.
• Wear Shower Shoes in High-Risk Locations – Don’t walk barefoot in places like public pools, saunas, and community showers.
• Pre-Treat with Anti-Fungal Products – Use anti-fungal sprays or powders on your feet and in your shoes to discourage fungal growth before it can even take hold.

Fungal toenails are preventable if you take the right steps. You don’t have to live through the discomfort and embarrassment of unsightly toenails. If you’re concerned about getting a fungus infection on your feet, let Parker Foot & Ankle help you prevent it. Call (281) 497-2850 for more information or an appointment.