Nails require as much care as, for example, skin, teeth or hair. Toenails are no exception. Their condition indicates a person’s sense of style and hygiene habits. In addition, the texture, shape and length of nails can tell a lot about the health of their owners.
The need to prevent fungal nail infection
Correct and regular foot care is very important, because most of the time they are in shoes that are not always comfortable and spacious. And personal hygiene procedures are not complete without putting nails in order. Otherwise, you may encounter problems such as an ingrown toenail or fungus. Due to the appearance of fungal diseases, nails can become brittle, colorless and thick.
Some people do not attach importance to the prevention of infection with a fungal disease, and in vain. It is very easy to get infected with a fungus, but it will take a lot of time to get rid of it. Therefore, the prevention of fungal infection is a very important condition for nail hygiene.
Regular cleansing as a basic rule of toenail care
The first condition for quality toenail care, as well as disease prevention, is regular hygiene – the feet should always be dry and clean. To do this, every evening for ten minutes, the feet are dipped in warm soapy water. It is best to take soap with a moisturizing ingredient such as lanolin. It is very good to use a decoction of chamomile or celandine for this. Then, using a soft brush, the feet are thoroughly washed, paying particular attention to cleaning the nails. This destroys bacteria that contribute to the spread of fungal infections.
After that, the legs and nails are dried with a soft napkin, not forgetting about the areas between the toes. Excess moisture in these areas can create a favorable environment for the development of fungal infections. Dry feet and nails are lubricated with moisturizer and put on cotton socks.
In addition to daily washing, it is necessary to periodically cleanse the heels and feet from dead cells. Exfoliating regularly will leave your feet soft and will also reduce the risk of calluses and calluses. In addition, it is recommended to periodically remove dead cells around the nails with a pumice stone.
Caution in the process of nail care
The second condition is correct nail clipping. To prevent ingrown toenails, toenails should be cut evenly without rounding the edges. But if this still happened, you should not make an independent attempt at treatment. For this, it will be better to seek the help of a doctor.
Use clean nail clippers or nail clippers to trim your nails. Smooth sharp edges after cutting with a file. This should be done in the same direction – from the edge of the nail to the center. As a result of filing in different directions, the structure of the nail plate can crumble and collapse. In addition, you should not cut your nails too short on your feet, as this can cause discomfort as a result of the pressure of the shoe on your toes.
Particular attention should be paid to the cuticles. Cutting them off is undesirable, because you can damage the skin and infect an infection. After a warm foot bath, the cuticle must be carefully pushed back with a wooden or bone stick.
In case of darkened nails, a bath with the addition of lemon juice (two tablespoons of juice per liter of water) or sea salt can help
Moisturizing the nails and cuticles is considered an important prerequisite for proper care . Regular use of a moisturizer allows nails to grow strong and beautiful. In addition, such procedures prevent nails from flaking, cracking and brittleness.
Olive oil is also a good moisturizer. For better penetration into the tissues, it is recommended to apply it on the nail and cuticle area before going to bed. In addition to moisturizing, the oil helps soften nails and cuticles, as well as repair damaged tissues. Besides olive oil, you can use coconut or almond oil.
For safety reasons, the execution of a pedicure should be trusted only by an experienced master. Poorly processed tools are one of the main causes of fungal infections.
Choosing the right footwear for preventing nail fungus
To prevent the development of nail fungus, you need the right choice of shoes. The ideal option would be shoes with a wide toe that does not constrict your toes. It is advisable to avoid shoes that are too narrow or inappropriate in size. It is one of the factors of ingrown nails and the appearance of microcracks, which provoke the development of skin diseases. Injured tissues are defenseless against fungal infections.
It is not recommended for people who suffer from excessive sweating of the feet to wear sneakers or sneakers made of synthetic fabrics. Shoes should not impede normal air circulation, this will help keep your feet dry and prevent the occurrence of diseases such as nail fungus. Therefore, it is recommended to purchase shoes made from natural materials.
It is advisable to periodically disinfect your shoes and dry them for at least one day. Sneakers or boots should never be worn while still wet – this increases the chance of fungal infection. In such a case, it is advisable to have two pairs and wear them alternately.
You should not try on shoes on your bare feet in the store, and you should also resist the temptation to try on someone else’s shoes. Guests usually wear slippers of the owners, but they may contain microparticles of the fungus. Therefore, it is advisable to come to visit with your own change of shoes.
In addition to shoes, you should also choose good quality socks that absorb sweat . It is advisable to give preference to cotton socks. Do not forget that you need to change them daily.
The danger of infection with a fungus also exists when visiting crowded places – swimming pools, gyms. Therefore, in order to prevent infection, it is not recommended to walk barefoot when visiting such places, it is advisable to always have rubber shoes.
If the nail plate begins to crumble, thicken or exfoliate, you should consult a dermatologist to exclude nail fungus or, if it appears, carry out the correct treatment.