You have found this page for one of two reasons:
- You know someone with unsightly toenail fungus and want to ensure that you do not “catch” this horrid disease… or,
- You are currently treating or have FINALLY been successful at treating your toenail fungus and will do anything possible to prevent its ever-so-popular return!
First and foremost…
Awesome job for taking the first step in initiative!!!
(High Five)!!!
But… Now what?
What will help prevent this disgusting condition from its primary attack OR from returning once treated?
How to Control Toenail Fungus
If you review the risk factors for toenail fungus, you will see that toenail fungus is literally EVERYWHERE!
As a podiatric physician (read more about me HERE) and with toenail fungus, or 
onychomycosis, being the #1 complaint of my patients, I KNOW how common toenail fungus is!
I can tell you that you would much rather prevent the initial occurrence of toenail fungus if you haven’t yet experienced this nasty problem!
Think about it…
Do you know a friend, roommate or family member with toenail fungus?
If so…
What can you do to prevent “catching” this unsightly disease from them?
Remember… toenail fungus IS contagious!
Even with successful treatment of toenail fungus, I am sad to say that often times toenail fungus can easily find its way back. In fact, repeat infections are a pretty common scenario!
So… whether you have yet to develop unsightly nails or have developed the condition and found success in treating it, you definitely will benefit from partaking in some key steps to prevent toenail fungus!
How to Prevent Toenail Fungus
The following are tips and tricks to both prevent an initial infection with toenail fungus 
AND to prevent re-infection after treatment and cure of toenail fungus.
- Wash your hands with soap and water after touching or coming into contact with an infected nail.
- Use lukewarm water, wet your hands and then apply soap.
- Create a lather of soap by rubbing your hands together. Be sure to address any dirt under the nails at this time.
- Rub your palms together and intertwine your fingers to ensure you are reaching the area of your hands between your fingers.
- Lastly, ensure to rub the backs of your hands.
- You should scrub your hands for a minimum of 20 seconds to achieve desired results.
- Rinse your hands with running water from the wrists down and then utilize a clean paper towel to fully dry your hands and to turn the water off.
- Examine your hands, feet and nails daily. Keep your Purely Northwest Foot and Toenail System, Cure Ex Laser OR Zeta Clear Nail Solution on hand! (These three products work exponentially better than any other product out there on the market to cure nail or toenail fungus.) If you see ANY change in color or texture within any nail or toenail (which is usually the first sign of infection) begin a quick treatment immediately. Do not give the fungus a chance to take root!!!
- Wear shower shoes in shared public spaces such as swimming pools and locker rooms!
- Don’t forget after bathing to dry your feet, toes and the area in-between your toes thoroughly. These areas are often forgotten! Remember… fungus likes a warm, moist environment. Keep the feet and toes dry!
- Allow your feet and toes breath! If you do not have any contra-indications to do so, go barefoot around the house or wear breathable shoegear such as leather, mesh or canvas! As far as socks, choose socks that are made of synthetic fiber that naturally absorbs sweat and change socks immediately should they become wet.
- Keep your toenails properly pedicured! You can click HERE to read how to properly trim your toenails. One of my favorite and easiest instruments to use to ensure a great cut is the Equinox Heavy Duty Toenail Clipper. There are also many readily-available electronic devices that will help you with this even if you are just beginning treatment and the toenails are still thick and difficult to trim. I personally recommend the Medicool Turbo File 2… read more about this product at Medicool MED2191 Turbo File 2 Professional Electric Nail Filing System: A Review! This product is awesome for thinning down thick nails!
- Take your own nail instruments and polish when and if getting manicures and/or pedicures. Prevent the spread of disease! Utilize an Antifungal Nail Polish in order to keep antifungal agents ready to attack any newfound disease within your nail or toenail! Click HERE to read about some of the antifungal polishes that I recommend! Also during a pedicure, request for the pedicurist NOT to push your cuticle back. This is very important as this process often causes rips and tears within the cuticle thus creating a viable opening for fungi and other bacteria to enter the area and cause havoc!
- Clean showers and floors well and regularly with a bathroom cleaner. Shower floors commonly harbor fungus.
Fungus is Contagious – Be Pro-Active
Another point I would like to address here again is that remember, fungus is contagious!
If you treat your nails and not your socks and shoes, re-infection is inevitable.
Why invest your time and money in the treatment of toenail fungus only to continually re-
infect yourself via your shoe gear?
Don’t forget to treat your socks and shoes!
- Socks: Dry socks in a dryer on a hot cycle after washing!
- Shoes: There are many products available for sterilization of shoes, yet some doctors even recommend discarding all shoes after successful treatment of a toenail fungus. I am definitely NOT one of those! Of course, I have heard a multitude of regimens my patient’s have tried for disinfecting purposes, but I personally recommend the following product to ensure that once the fungus is away… it stays away (and you don’t have to throw away all of those expensive, perfectly broken in shoes.
- SteriShoe UV Shoe Sanitizer – This product is designed specifically for the
purpose of assisting treatment and preventing recurrence of any type of bacterial OR fungal infection that can cause this nasty condition! Go ahead… click the red link above and see for yourself! This product is definitely worth the purchase and cannot be beaten!
- SteriShoe UV Shoe Sanitizer – This product is designed specifically for the
My Final Thoughts on The Prevention of Toenail Fungus
It is way easier to prevent toenail fungus than to cure it.
Take all the steps necessary to make certain that you are doing everything possible to ensure that you are protected from this unsightly condition.
Should you begin to notice any changes within your toenails such as thickening or discoloration, it is best to begin treatment right away!
There are many treatments out there for toenail fungus that just do not work; however, there are currently THREE products that are the most effective cures for toenail fungus.
Get one and treat early!
Continue to next section: How to Trim Thick Toenails
I know someone who has got issues with toenail fungus. I learned a lot on your article on how to prevent toenail fungus. I’ll refer him to your site. Nice, educational content.
Hello Aladin. I am glad that you ran across my article on how to prevent toenail fungus… you can definitely give your friend some pointers!
Because your friend does have this unsightly disorder consisting of thick, yellow toenails… that does put you at an increased risk to contract this disease. Remember… fungus is contagious! Just remember to follow my recommendations to keep your feet looking their best!
Also… I did want to briefly mention, for the sake of your friend, that there ARE successful treatments for toenail fungus. You can visit my post on Treatment Options for Toenail Fungus – How Do I Get Rid of This? OR go directly to the top 3 products that I recommend and know really work to cure toenail fungus by clicking HERE!
I apologize that your friend is suffering from this condition, but I know that I can definitely help… I am here to help!
Should you or your friend have any questions or concerns please feel free to leave them in the comments portion of my website and I will definitely get back with you! Have a great day!
Well worth the read. Got great insights and information from your posts. Thanks.
Hello Nathan! I am glad that you enjoyed my article on how to prevent toenail fungus! Feel free to visit any post on my platform and let me know if you have any questions! I am truly here to help!