Toenail fungus, a common and contagious nail infection, can be impacted by footwear. Understanding how shoes can contribute to toenail fungus is the first step toward the prevention and recurrence of fungal infections. Tight, ill-fitting shoes create the right environment for fungus to grow, because these shoes trap sweat and moisture and provide a warm, dark space. Airflow helps keep feet dry, but tighter shoes often don’t have good ventilation. On the other hand,breathable, moisture-wicking footwear can reduce the risk of toenail fungus. Fungal infections are contagious, so it’s best to avoid sharing shoes. Regularly disinfecting shoes can also help prevent the spread of fungal infections. Not only are your feet happier overall when you prioritize comfort, proper fit, and breathability in your shoes, but you also minimize the likelihood of toenail fungus taking hold and persisting. If you suspect toenail fungus, it is suggested you consult with a podiatrist who can provide a treatment plan and personalized recommendations for footwear.
For more information about treatment, contact one of our podiatrists of Comprehensive Foot & Ankle Centers. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Toenail Fungus Treatment
Toenail fungus is a condition that affects many people and can be especiallyhard to get rid of. Fortunately, there are several methods to go about treating and avoiding it.
Antifungals& Deterrence
Oral antifungal medicine has been shown to be effective in many cases. It is important to consult with a podiatrist to determine the proper regiment for you, or potentially explore other options.
Applying foot powder on the feet and shoes helps keep the feet free of moisture and sweat.
Sandals or open toed shoes – Wearing these will allow air movement and help keep feet dry. They also expose your feet to light, which fungus cannot tolerate. Socks with moisture wicking material also help as well.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our officeslocated in Shepherdsville and Louisville, KY . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.
FAQs
Fungus thrives in damp places. While open-toe shoes are great for airing out toes, be sure to choose a pair with proper arch support. It is also wise to change your socks daily and remove them immediately after exercise.
What are the best shoes to prevent nail fungus? ›
Sandals or open toed shoes – Wearing these will allow air movement and help keep feet dry. They also expose your feet to light, which fungus cannot tolerate. Socks with moisture wicking material also help as well.
Does wearing flip-flops help toenail fungus? ›
Flip flops and water shoes may play an important role in protecting your feet against fungi. If you are using a public shower, you are standing in an area full of dirty hair, urine, and sweat. These things are all known to breed different types of bacteria and fungus.
Can ill fitting shoes cause toenail fungus? ›
Toenail fungus
And if you hope to avoid it, changing your shoe choices can go far. Pressure from poor-fitting shoes is a leading factor behind this common problem. If your feet are moist within those shoes, your chances of toenail fungus are even higher.
Can you get toenail fungus from used shoes? ›
(Don't buy used shoes either—in addition to potentially harboring fungi, they can also irritate your feet in other ways.) If you already have a fungal infection, sterilize your tools with rubbing alcohol after each use. As for towels, make sure they are washed after every use—even if you live alone or use your own.
What kills fungus in shoes? ›
Here's what doctor Green suggests: "You can take wadded up newspaper or paper towels and spray them down with Lysol and stuff them in the shoes and just leave them there overnight. That'll kill the fungus in there. It'll also kill other bacteria.
Does not wearing shoes help toenail fungus? ›
Footwear is important in so many ways. Not only do well-fitting shoes provide skeletal and muscular support, they also help prevent a variety of foot problems like calluses, hammertoes, circulation problems and even toenail fungus.
How I killed my toenail fungus? ›
Oral antifungal drugs.
These drugs are often the first choice. One option is itraconazole (Sporanox). These drugs help a new nail grow free of infection, slowly replacing the infected part. You typically take this type of drug daily for 6 to 12 weeks.
What worsens toenail fungus? ›
Walk barefoot in a hot, humid place like a pool, public shower, or locker room. Wear tight-fitting, closed-toe shoes, especially if you have sweaty feet.
Do I need to throw away my socks if I have toenail fungus? ›
The benefit of taking oral medication is it will treat the skin and the nails. We still recommend using a topical antifungal with terbinafine or tolnaftate daily until the skin infection has resolved. Throw out any old shoes and socks.
This can help whether you're the one with the infection or not. Wear clean, breathable socks to bed. If you share a bed with another person, the fungus may transfer to them via shared linens. Wearing clean socks to bed and washing sheets regularly minimizes transmission risk.
What not to do with toenail fungus? ›
don't keep your feet clean and dry. wear shoes that cause your feet to get hot and sweaty. walk around barefoot in places where fungal infections can spread easily, like communal showers, locker rooms and gyms. have damaged your nails.
Who is prone to toenail fungus? ›
Anyone can get toenail fungus. It often affects older adults, especially people over 60. You may have a higher risk of getting toenail fungus if you have: Athlete's foot (tinea pedis).
Should you dig out toenail fungus? ›
Can You Scrape Out Toenail Fungus? No. You may be able to scrape a bit off the top of or from under your nails, but that won't cure the infection.
Which laundry detergent kills fungus? ›
There are a variety of popular antifungal laundry detergents on the market, including detergents from brands such as Clorox, OxiClean, and Purex.
Should I cut toenail fungus off? ›
If you do have a toenail fungus, your doctor will likely recommend one or more of the following treatment options: Trimming the Toenail Trimming the toenail is usually combined with medication, but having a podiatrist periodically trim the nail down is helpful and allows the medication to work better, says Sundling.
Do I need to throw away my shoes if I have toenail fungus? ›
If you just finished treating nail fungus, throw away shoes, boots, skates, and other footwear that you wore before you started treatment. Fungus can live in footwear, giving you another infection. If your footwear is expensive or new, you can disinfect them using an ultraviolet (UV) shoe sanitizer or ozone cabinet.
What can I soak my feet in to prevent toenail fungus? ›
The recommended ratio is one part apple cider vinegar to two parts warm water. Apple cider vinegar is particularly effective due to its antifungal properties. For best results, soak your feet in the vinegar solution for a minimum of 30 minutes daily.
How can I protect myself from nail fungus? ›
How to protect your toenails
- Wear socks that wick away perspiration. ...
- Use antifungal foot powder daily.
- Avoid shoes that keep your feet from breathing or that press on your nail.
- Wear sandals or flip-flops in shower rooms at gyms or pools to avoid infection.
Use an antifungal foot powder
Sprinkle antifungal foot powder on socks and shoes to keep them dry and reduce the chance of fungus and bacteria growth.
Toenail fungus, a common and contagious nail infection, can be impacted by footwear. Understanding how shoes can contribute to toenail fungus is the first step toward the prevention and recurrence of fungal infections. Tight, ill-fitting shoes create the right environment for fungus to grow, because these shoes trap sweat and moisture and provide a warm, dark space. Airflow helps keep feet dry, but tighter shoes often don’t have good ventilation. On the other hand,breathable, moisture-wicking footwear can reduce the risk of toenail fungus. Fungal infections are contagious, so it’s best to avoid sharing shoes. Regularly disinfecting shoes can also help prevent the spread of fungal infections. Not only are your feet happier overall when you prioritize comfort, proper fit, and breathability in your shoes, but you also minimize the likelihood of toenail fungus taking hold and persisting. If you suspect toenail fungus, it is suggested you consult with a podiatrist who can provide a treatment plan and personalized recommendations for footwear.