Can Shoes Help With Toenail Fungus?
Posted by Apex Foot Health on 27th Jun 2023
Between 3 to 12% of the population are affected by toenail fungus. While older people are more likely to pick up a fungal nail infection, younger people aren't immune to it.
Dealing with foot fungus is never fun, and if you've done it once, you don't want to get it again. This is why it's important to consider the changes you need to make to help prevent getting another nail infection.
So, keep reading to find out more about how shoes can help with toenail fungus.
What Is Toenail Fungus?
Toenail fungus is what happens once microscopic fungi gain entry to your body through a small wound or tear in your toenail. This fungi then grows and spreads easily due to the warm environment created by socks and shoes.
Toenail fungus can cause a wide variety of symptoms, including:
- Swelling
- Yellowing of the nail and skin
- Thickening of the nail and skin
- Crumbling of the naik
- Discoloration of the nail
- Loss of the nail
Toenail fungus is harder to treat because toenails grow extremely slowly compared to your fingernails.
Your Shoes Can Help
Since fungi require warm and humid areas to grow, the shoes you wear can help prevent a toenail infection. But remember to wash your feet thoroughly and give them time to dry completely before you put on your shoes; otherwise, the type of shoes you wear won't matter!
The type of shoes you wear can help you combat foot fungus, but you have to be critical when choosing new shoes. Consider how breathable a shoe is and if moisture might get trapped in the shoe.
If you are prone to sweaty feet or you live in a humid area, you should consider alternating between a few pairs of shoes. This gives your shoes time to fully dry out before you wear them again. This will also help if you have smelly feet!
If you're prone to foot fungus, you should consider switching your shoes during the day to prevent any moisture from building up. This might be cumbersome, but it will drastically reduce your chances of infected toenails.
It's also important that you always wear socks with your closed-toe shoes. If you already have foot fungus and wear your shoes without socks, then you'll transfer the fungus to your shoes. This means even if you treat the infection, you can get it again from wearing your own shoes later on.
Shoes and Toenail Fungus
When it comes to toenail fungus, you can never be too cautious. It's an unpleasant experience, and you will most likely require anti-fungal medications to treat the fungus. The shoes you wear are one of the best ways to help you prevent foot fungus.
If you're ready to find footwear that fits your lifestyle, contact us today. Apex Foot Health offers doctor-recommended shoes for toenail fungus that work with you, not against you.
