Think You’re Treating Toenail Fungus? These 12 Habits Might Be Ruining Your Efforts
When it comes to toenail fungus, there’s no shortage of tips and advice on how to treat it. You can find plenty of information about the best creams, home remedies, and medications. But what if you are following all the toenail fungus treatment steps and still aren’t seeing results? It might be frustrating, but the problem could lie in your everyday habits.
Even with the right treatments, certain things you do can make toenail fungus worse without you realizing it. If you’ve ever wondered, “What makes toenail fungus worse?” you’re not alone. Here are 12 habits that could ruin your progress and what you can do to finally get ahead of the infection.
- Poor Foot Hygiene
Poor foot hygiene is one of the main habits that can worsen toenail fungus. Even if you’re using all the right treatments, the fungus will keep growing if you’re not keeping your feet clean. Fungus thrives in damp, warm places, and dirty feet are the perfect environment. When you neglect your feet, sweat, dirt, and dead skin cells build up, giving the fungus plenty of room to spread.
Wearing the same socks more than once or choosing shoes that don’t let your feet breathe can trap moisture, making the problem even worse. The best thing you can do is wash your feet regularly with antifungal soap and dry them thoroughly, especially between your toes. It’s also a good idea to wear breathable socks that help keep your feet dry, making it harder for the fungus to grow.
2. Wearing Tight, Non-Breathable Shoes
Another habit that can make your toenail fungus worse is wearing tight, non-breathable shoes. The type of shoes you wear can impact your toenail health. Shoes that are tight or made from synthetic materials don’t let your feet breathe and can cause a lot of sweating. This creates a damp, warm environment where fungus can grow, making it harder for your treatment to work. If you’re already dealing with toenail fungus, wearing such shoes can worsen things and even lead to other problems like athlete’s foot.
Choose shoes with good ventilation, such as mesh sneakers or sandals, to help your feet heal. Try to avoid tight-fitting shoes that squeeze your toes. Footwear made from natural materials like leather or canvas can also help, allowing your feet to breathe better and stay dry.
3. Skipping Treatment or Inconsistent Use
A big mistake that can worsen toenail fungus is skipping treatment or not using it consistently. When dealing with toenail fungus, you can’t afford to be inconsistent. Using the toenail fungus treatment for a few weeks and then stopping will undo all your progress and make the infection harder to beat. Fungal infections take time to heal, often requiring several months of regular treatment.
If you use the treatment only intermittently, the fungus will survive and might even adapt, making it challenging to eradicate. Stopping the treatment too early, even when your nail starts to look better, can cause the fungus to return even more aggressively. The best approach is to stick with your treatment plan and apply the antifungal medication until the infection is completely gone, even if your nail looks healthy. This helps make sure the fungus is completely eliminated.
4. Walking Barefoot in Public Areas
Walking barefoot in public places like gyms, swimming pools, and locker rooms can worsen toenail fungus. These places are often moist, making them the perfect environment for fungal growth. You are more likely to pick up fungi from the floor when you walk barefoot in these areas. Even if you’re already treating toenail fungus, exposing your feet to these environments can bring it back, making it hard to get rid of and causing the infection to stick around longer.
To protect your feet, always wear flip-flops or water shoes in public places where your feet might touch the ground. This helps keep your feet safe from picking up more fungus and makes it easier for your treatment to work effectively.
5. Underlying Health Conditions
Underlying health conditions can make toenail fungus worse. Problems like diabetes, peripheral artery disease, and a weakened immune system can all play a role in making the toenail fungus infection harder to treat. If you have one of these conditions and don’t know it, you might find that your toenail fungus isn’t getting better, no matter what treatment you use. This is because these health issues can affect blood flow and make it harder for your body to fight off infections, giving the fungus more chances to spread.
For people with diabetes, poor circulation can slow down the healing process, which can make fungal infections worse over time. If you have an underlying health condition and are treating toenail fungus, manage both properly. Taking care of your overall health with the correct medication can help your body fight off the fungus more effectively.
6. Ignoring Toenail Injuries
Ignoring toenail injuries can make toenail fungus much worse. Whether you stub your toe or wear shoes that pinch, even a minor injury can lead to significant problems. A cracked or bruised nail creates a weak spot where fungus can get in and grow. If you don’t treat the injury, it can become a long-term fungal infection that becomes harder to treat.
If you hurt your toenail, make sure to take care of it right away. Clean the area and watch for any signs of infection, like swelling or discoloration. If you notice anything unusual, see a doctor. Treating injuries as soon as possible can help prevent the fungus from spreading and worsening.
7. Improper Nail Care
Improper nail care is another habit that can make toenail fungus worse. Cutting your toenails the wrong way, like trimming them too short or cutting at an angle, can leave tiny tears in the skin around your nails. These minor cuts become easy entry points for fungus, allowing the infection to spread. Plus, using unclean or shared nail tools can introduce fungal spores directly to your nails, making the problem even harder to treat.
To prevent this, always trim your toenails straight and avoid cutting them too short. It’s also essential to use clean and disinfected nail clippers every time. It might be a good idea to invest in your own set of nail care tools and avoid sharing them with others. This helps reduce the risk of spreading the fungus and keeps your nails healthier overall.
8. Excessive Use of Nail Polish and Artificial Nails
Excessive use of nail polish and artificial nails can make toenail fungus worse. While you might be tempted to cover up discolored or infected nails with polish, this can worsen the infection. Nail polish and artificial nails create a sealed environment that traps moisture, which deprives the nail of airflow. This moist, dark space is perfect for fungus to grow, making the infection harder to treat.
During your treatment, limit the use of nail polish and artificial nails. If you need to cover your nails temporarily, try using breathable nail polishes that allow some air to reach the nail. This can help reduce the moisture buildup and give your nails a better chance to heal.
9. Ignoring Early Symptoms
Ignoring early symptoms of toenail fungus can make things worse. At first, the symptoms are often mild and mainly cosmetic. You might notice some discoloration or thickening of the nail. However, it’s not usually painful or disruptive to your daily life. This can make it easy to overlook or dismiss the problem.
However, delaying treatment allows the fungus to spread deeper into the nail and even affect nearby nails. It can also spread to the skin, leading to other issues like athlete’s foot. If you notice any early signs, such as discoloration or thickening, it’s crucial to address them immediately. Seeking early treatment can prevent the infection from worsening and help you avoid more severe problems later.
10. Frequent Exposure to Water
Frequent exposure to water can also worsen toenail fungus, even if you are trying to treat it. When you constantly have wet feet, they become more prone to fungal infections. Activities like swimming, taking long baths, or working in damp environments keep your nails moist, which weakens their natural defenses. Prolonged exposure to water also softens the nails, making it easier for the fungus to spread.
To help prevent this, try to keep your feet dry throughout the day. After swimming or bathing, dry your feet and between your toes thoroughly. You might also consider using antifungal foot powders to keep your feet dry and reduce fungal growth. Taking these steps can help your treatment work more effectively.
11. Using Contaminated Nail Tools
Using contaminated nail tools can worsen toenail fungus, even if you are following a treatment plan. If you share nail clippers, files, or other tools used on an infected nail, you risk spreading fungal spores. Even reusing your own tools without sterilizing them can reinfect the nail. This is especially problematic if the tools are used on healthy nails afterward, as it can transfer the fungus to new nails.
Prevent this by sterilizing your nail care tools before and after each use. If you go to a nail salon, ensure they follow proper hygiene practices to avoid the risk of contamination. Keeping your tools clean helps reduce the chance of the fungus spreading and supports your treatment efforts.
12. Neglecting to Treat Shoes and Socks
Neglecting to treat your shoes and socks is another habit that can make toenail fungus worse. Since we wear shoes and socks regularly, fungal spores from infected nails can get deposited in them. If you don’t treat your shoes, the fungus will be reintroduced to your toes every time you wear them. This can stop your treatment from being effective, and you won’t see any improvement.
To prevent this, wash your socks regularly in hot water and use antifungal sprays or powders in your shoes. Let your footwear dry thoroughly between wears, and try rotating them to reduce moisture buildup. Taking care of your footwear helps make your treatment more effective and keeps the fungus from spreading.
Conclusion
Treating toenail fungus goes beyond just using medications and applying treatments. It requires a complete approach, including awareness of habits that can worsen the infection. Understanding what worsens toenail fungus is crucial in managing and eventually getting rid of the infection. By changing certain habits and following your treatment plan carefully, you can help improve your chances of success and see better results. Take a comprehensive approach to give you the best chance at fully healing your toenail fungus.