No one wants to be infected with anything. Whether it’s the common cold, a stomach bug, or a nail infection, the first thing most people want to do is to get rid of the issue. When it comes to nail infections, many of these aren’t as obvious or painful as some other infections. However, they are still just as bothersome and need to be taken care of.

How Nails Get Infected

More often than not, when a person has a nail infection, it is caused by a fungus. Often, the infection will start as a yellow or white spot at the tip of your nail. It will then work its way under the nail bed. This is the perfect breeding environment because it’s dark and moist.

After the fungus has made itself comfortable under you nail, it can then turn your nail white, yellow, or streaked with brown. You may also find that your nail becomes thicker or even crumbles. Once you see a change in colour to texture, it’s best to see a doctor right away.

The infection will get under you nail after you have been exposed to the fungus in some way. This could include through instruments that beauticians use for pedicures or manicures that weren’t sterilized properly. It could also come from house or gym floors if others have been infected.

More often than not, this fungus shows up on toenails, but it can impact fingernails as well. If you have a cracked nail, which may have been caused by an injury, this can give the fungus the opening it needs to get under the surface and start to grow.

Preventing Nail Infections

There are steps you can take to minimize your chances of getting a nail fungus. This can be applied to both your hands and feet so that the fungus doesn’t have a chance to get established. However, if you already have symptoms, you should consider talking to doctor.

Keep hands and feet dry

Fungi love moist environments. Keeping your hands and feet dry can be incredibly helpful in reducing their growth. This means drying in between your toes after a shower and making sure hands are completely dry before putting on rubber gloves. You’ll also need to change your socks after exercising so that the sweat doesn’t keep your feet wet.

Soak fingers and toes in a weak acid

If you see some spots forming on your nails, take some preventative measures and soak them in a weak acid. Fungus doesn’t like acidic environments, so making a solution of one part vinegar to five parts water can make your nails an unpleasant place to be.

You may also consider using a saline solution to soak your hands and feet. Again, this creates a hostile environment for the fungus, but it can also make your skin soft and reduce excess perspiration. This can be made using two teaspoons of salt per one pint of warm water.

Keep your cuticles intact

Your cuticles are basically the last line of defense against a fungal infection, so if you are cutting them off, you are increasing your chances of getting this issue. Instead of cutting them away, soak your nails until they are soft and then push them down. This will keep your nails looking amazing and keep them protected.

Ensure that the tools are properly sanitized

When getting a pedicure or manicure, it’s vital to find out how the tools are sanitized. To prevent the spread of infection, it’s important that any item that could be exposed to the fungus is cleaned before it’s used on another person. If you have questions about the cleanliness of a place, ask. If you aren’t comfortable with the answer, it’s best to find another place to get your nails done.

Protect Yourself as Best as You Can

Most fungal infections aren’t painful, but they are unsightly. Doing what you can to ensure that you don’t get infected in the first place is beneficial. If you frequently get manicures and pedicures, be aware of how the salon sanitizes their tools. If you frequent the gym, you might consider wearing slippers or soaking your feet in an acidic tub when you get home.

Acquire supplies that will keep your nail tools clean and fungus free. Contact Nail Depot today - we have a variety of cleaning products, as well as other beauty supplies, that will keep you looking your best.