Discover the best tips for stopping toenail fungus from happening to you this summer.

With the start of the summer, we also open the doors to local swimming pools and other fun outdoor activities. While we all want to enjoy our time at the community pool it’s important that we take the necessary precautions to prevent problems like toenail fungus. Here are some helpful hints from the office of your Near North Chicago podiatrist Dr. Marc Feder. We can help you avoid toenail fungus, while still getting to enjoy these glorious summer days!

Never go barefoot

This is probably the number one rule to follow if you want to avoid toenail fungus this summer. Fungus thrives in moist environments like public showers, pools and gym locker rooms. To avoid a toenail infection, always wear sandals or flip-flops, even when showering.

Wash feet every day

Just as we wash our hands every day to keep germs away the same should be done for our feet. After all, we do spend a lot of our day on our feet, so it’s important to thoroughly wash them with soap and water to remove dirt and bacteria that we might have picked up along the way. This is especially important after enjoying a day at the pool or other public area like the gym.

Keep nails trimmed

Keep nails at a manageable and clean length, making sure to always trim nails straight across rather than at a curve. Nails should be at the same length as the tip of your toe. Keeping toenails cleaned and trimmed will help to prevent fungus from making your nail a home.

Wear moisture-wicking socks

Once it starts to get humid out, we all want to wear shoes and socks that eliminate some of that unwanted moisture. While it might seem hard to picture wearing socks in the summer, if you are trying to prevent toenail fungus, then you do want to wear socks that effectively absorb sweat.

Wash shoes regularly

Since feet can get sweaty in shoes, particularly during the hot summer months, it’s now more important than ever to wash your shoes often. This includes everything from hiking boots to sandals. Shoes that haven’t been washed are great places for bacteria and fungus to thrive.

Try an antifungal powder

If you’re prone to getting toenail fungus, then you may want to take additional precautions and sprinkle antifungal powder into your shoes and on your feet.

Suffering from toenail fungus and looking for an effective treatment? Then contact your Near North Chicago, IL foot doctor today at Affiliated Podiatrists, Ltd. to schedule an appointment. Don’t deal with unattractive toenails during sandal season!