How to Prevent Fungus

Explore this Article

methods

1Skin Fungus

2Nail Fungus

3Foot Fungus

Other Sections

Related Articles

References

Once you develop a fungal infection, it can be very difficult to keep it from spreading. Your best bet is to avoid getting a fungal infection in the first place. While there are particular steps you should follow to avoid getting fungal infections on your skin, nails, or feet, there are also common-sense measures you should take. These include washing regularly, keeping your skin dry, and avoiding exposure to potential fungus sources.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Skin Fungus

1. 
   1
   Use footwear in public areas and don't share personal items. Fungi thrive in warm, moist areas like public locker rooms, showers, and pools. Always wear flip-flops or shower shoes in such spaces, and wash your hands after making contact with things like a locker door or locker room scale. Likewise, never share personal items like towels or combs in such settings.

   • Never touch another person’s fungal infection, and don’t share clothing with them unless it has been thoroughly washed and dried.
2. 
   2
   Clean your skin regularly and keep it dry. Skin fungal infections are most likely to appear in warm, moist areas like between your toes, in your groin area, under folds of skin, under your breasts, or in your armpits. Bathe or shower daily and use a standard bath soap to clean your entire body, and make sure to keep high-risk areas clean and dry throughout the day. Try measures like:

   • Allowing your body towel to dry completely between uses, and replacing it with a clean towel at least every 2-3 days.
   • Changing your socks, underwear, and/or bra at least once per day, or whenever they get damp or sweaty.
   • Wearing antiperspirant and applying a drying body powder to areas of folded skin like under your stomach or breasts.
   Advertisement
3. 
   3
   Boost your immune system through healthy lifestyle choices. A stronger immune system makes it easier for your body to fend off fungal infections. Start by eating a balanced diet that includes lots of fruits and veggies, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Also make sure to drink water throughout the day so you stay hydrated.

   • Getting enough sleep and reducing stress may also help strengthen your immune system.
   • Regular exercise can also provide an immune system boost. Consult with your doctor before starting a new exercise regimen.
   • You might also benefit from taking a daily multivitamin and/or daily probiotic. Talk to your doctor before trying to boost your immune system with supplements.
   • Limit unhealthy behaviors like smoking, excess alcohol consumption, and overindulgence of nutrition-poor foods.
4. 
   4
   Work with your doctor if you’re at an elevated risk for fungal infections. Due to your medical situation, job, or other factors, you may be at a higher-than-normal risk for getting skin fungus or other types of fungal infections. If so, your doctor can advise you on ways to be extra vigilant about hygiene and how to recognize early signs of fungal infections. Some elevated risk factors include:

   • Having a depressed immune system due to illness, medication, or other factors.
   • Being on immunosuppressant drugs or antibiotics over a long term.
   • Having issues with bladder control or incontinence, which create a moist environment against your skin.
   • Dealing with excess perspiration.
   • Working in a setting where fungal infections are more common, such as schools, hospitals, pools, and sports facilities.
   Advertisement

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Nail Fungus

1. 
   1
   Wash your hands frequently and your feet at least once daily. Wash your hands after making physical contact with other people or touching objects that other people have touched. Use warm water and lots of soap, rub the soap into your hands for 20 seconds, rinse thoroughly, and use a clean towel or dryer.

   • Wash and dry your feet thoroughly at least once per day as well.
   • Make sure to wash and dry between your fingers and toes, and over and under your nails.
2. 
   2
   Trim your nails regularly to keep them short. Soak your nails for 10 minutes to soften them. Then, cut straight across each nail with nail clippers or nail scissors. Use a nail file to smooth down any rough spots. When you're finished, rinse your nail tools and soak them in rubbing alcohol for at least 5 minutes (or 20 if possible) to sanitize them.

   • Clipping your nails short reduces the surface area that fungi can grow on and makes it harder for dirt and moisture to get stuck under your nails.
   • Cutting straight across rather than rounding the cuts makes it less likely that you’ll develop ingrown nails.
3. 
   3
   Limit or avoid use of nail polish and artificial nails. Both nail polish and artificial nails trap moisture against your nails, which creates an inviting environment for fungi. If you do use polish or artificial nails, apply and remove them for specific events instead of keeping them on for longer stretches of time.
4. 
   4
   Keep excess moisture from reaching your nails when possible. Put on water-resistant gloves when doing activities that involve getting your hands wet, and quickly change out of gloves, socks, or footwear when they become damp. The less time your nails spend being damp, the less likely you are to get a fungal infection.

   • When you wash the dishes or clean the house, wear rubber gloves to keep your hands dry. Either use disposable gloves or turn the gloves inside-out after using them so they dry out on the inside.
   • If you’re exercising, working, or playing outdoors on a cold day and you’re sweating inside your gloves, switch them out for a dry pair.
   • Changing out of damp socks or footwear regularly will reduce your risk of developing fungal infections both on your toenails and feet.
   Advertisement

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Foot Fungus

1. 
   1
   Wear footwear instead of going barefoot, especially in public areas. Walking around barefoot increases your odds of picking up a fungal infection, especially in high-risk areas like locker rooms and pool decks. Wear shower shoes, flip-flops, or—if the situation allows—socks and shoes to protect your feet from fungi.
2. 
   2
   Change your socks and/or shoes whenever they get damp. Sweaty socks and shoes create a perfect environment for athlete’s foot and other types of foot fungus. Change out of damp socks as soon as you can, and rotate among several pairs of shoes so they aren’t still sweaty when you put them back on.

   • If you tend to sweat in bed, change your sheets every day as well. In any case, change the sheets at least once per week.
3. 
   3
   Dry your feet after washing them and before putting on footwear. Wash your feet at least once per day with soap and water, making sure to get between your toes and over and under your nails. When you’re done, use a clean towel and remove as much moisture as possible. Make sure to rub between your toes with the towel.

   • If you’re at home and no one in the household has a fungal infection (or history of fungal infections), let your feet air out by going barefoot for an hour or so.
   • When your feet are completely clean and dry, put on a pair of clean, dry socks.
4. 
   4
   Use a moisture-reducing anti-fungal powder in your footwear. Sprinkle a bit of the powder into your socks and shoes before putting them on, according to the product instructions. The powder will help keep your feet dry and combat the development of fungal infections.

   • This is particularly helpful before exercising or if you have to wear heavy footwear, such as work boots, that trap sweat against your feet.
   • Ask your doctor for recommendations on foot powders.
   Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertisement