Toenail fungus is an extremely common disease, and as you get older the risk of getting toenail fungus increases by many folds. To avoid it, one needs to follow a lot of lifestyle changes that are crucial for the overall hygiene of the person.
If you are suffering with toenail fungus, and want to know if there is any risk of more spread then you should keep reading. We have enlisted a few reasons that show why fungus is a contagious infection. It can potentially spread to other toenails, and fingers.
Why does toenail fungus spread?
Keeping in view the spread of toenail fungus, one might get curious about how this small living organism can spread that fast, and can infect almost every human being.
There are two things that play a crucial role in it. These two factors are the main reason why toenail fungus is very contagious. The worst part is, it can still stay contagious even when the sufferer feels that the toenail has been cured, still it can spread. Does it sound creepy? Yes, it is.
The structure of the fungus
The structure of the fungus plays a very crucial role in making it a strong micro-organism. The fungus cells have a very thick cell wall, and destroying it is very difficult.
Fungal cell wall has one of the strongest biochemical compounds, that is chitin. It is a polysaccharide. It is one of the hardest sugars. Breaking it is not very easy.
Resistant to weathers and condition
This same fungi cell wall is pretty resistant to all the weather conditions. It is why the fungus spores can stay alive in every situation, be it acidic, alkaline, or normal. However, you need to create a severe environment to kill it. It can survive in the following environments.
- Soil
- Skin
- Water
- Rocks
- Trees
- Wood
- Plastic
- Walls
It is literally everywhere, and one cannot do anything about it. For various types of fungal species, there are different preventive measures; however, for skin all you can do is to use some solutions to change the pH of the toenail.
Life cycle and reproduction
Fungus can reproduce both sexually and asexually. You will be surprised to know that fungi can grow in almost any form, it can reproduce through budding, spores and fragmentation.
So there is no way, when you can think that the fungus cells are not growing. According to studies, it takes almost 24 hours to double the spores of the toenail fungus. That is why it’s quite important to keep an eye on the toenails, you never know when and how the toenail fungus infection started, because negligence will only make it grow more.
How can toenail fungus spread?
There are various reasons for that. The toenail fungus is already quite contagious, and resistive to all kinds of weather. However, knowing what can be the real cause for the spread of toenail fungus can help you understand how to prevent it efficiently.
Here we have discussed a few of the potential reasons that can be a cause of the spread of toenail fungus among people, and on your body parts.
Wearing single pair of shoes
If a person will only wear a single pair of shoes all day, both for the indoors and outdoors, then chances are that he might develop the toenail fungus. The reason for it is the exposure to the outside dirt and the already existing spores in the environment.
For example, if he went for a walk in the same shoes, and then wore those shoes for the entire day, you never know when the fungal spores in the park got stuck with his feet.
Another reason is when people take outdoor shoes inside their house, then the richness of toenail fungus increases. As many people have carpeted floors, so if any of their family members would come inside the house with the dirty shoes, then the fungal spores might stay on the carpet.
Now healthy feet will be easily exposed to the fungal spores, this way the chance of getting toenail fungus will increase.
Sharing shoes
If you are wondering why your toenail fungus is not going away, or its increasing, then it is probably because you are sharing your shoes with someone who has been carrying the toenail fungus as well.
In some cases, healthy people get toenail fungus. The reason for that is mainly because they share their shoes with other people as well. You never know if their toes are clean or without the toenail fungus.
Thus, the spread of the toenail fungus becomes a common phenomenon. One should never share their shoes with anyone to avoid the spread of the toenail fungus.
Touching your feet unnecessarily
In some rare cases, it has been noticed that the toenail fungus also reached the nails of the hands. The main cause for such an unfortunate event is constantly touching the toenails.
If you feel that you have been infected with the toenail fungus, then you should not touch the toenail again and again. It will gradually reach to your fingernails, and you can develop fungus on the fingernails as well.
You should always clean your hands with sanitizer, or wash it with soap once you have touched the toenail.
Sometimes, people think enough to clean their toenails before applying anything, it is not enough. You need to wash your hands, no matter if your toenails are clean, clean toenails does not mean that the fungus is gone. It is still there, and can spread on your other body part.
Dirty socks
If you are wearing a pair of dirty socks, then be ready to welcome toenail fungus on other toes as well. It is very common and a lot of people are found suffering with the toenail fungus at the entire foot. This can only happen when someone keeps on wearing dirty socks and shoes.
One should change the pair of socks every day, as far as the shoes are concerned, we cannot change it every other day.
However, we can have different pairs of shoes, or clean the shoes every night before going to bed. There are different effective methods to keep the shoes fungus free.
General hygiene
Those suffering with the toenail fungus need to take care of the general hygiene. Once you have detected that you have toenail fungus, then it is up to you now to keep everything washed and clean around you.
It is essential because now the spores on your toes can land on different areas in your room and home. From there they can potentially spread to different parts of your body or to other family members.
Sweaty shoes and socks
Moisture is the main thing. Fungus love moisture, and it increases the speed of their growth. If you are not changing your shoes whenever the feet get sweaty, then you are calling for a serious toenail fungus infection. It is one of the prominent causes that can start the toenail fungus infection in many people.
Wearing airy shoes especially when it is the summer season is compulsory. Otherwise, the toenail fungus will increase, and can spread to other parts of your feet, hands, and to people near you.
As far as the socks are concerned, you can easily find some reliable antifungal socks that are quite safe. If you are someone with hormone issues, then it is necessary to have such socks.
During manicure and pedicure
Believe it or not, but the fungal spores can also survive on the metal surface for almost 48 hours or more. Therefore, whenever someone goes for a pedicure or manicure they should ensure that all the metal tools used for it are clean, and sterilized.
Imagine, someone with toenail fungus infection came for the manicure, and then the next hour you visited that saloon.
Now the fungal spore might reside in your toes, and grow within a few days. Those suffering with toenail fungus need to take care, if the saloon service is aware of you suffering with the toenail fungus. You should tell them very clearly, so that no one else can get the toenail fungus infection.
Wearing tight shoes
No matter how many times you have tried to clean your shoes, they will still have some microorganisms on them.
However, they cannot really enter your nail if your nail bed is not quite exposed. In some cases, the skin’s defining mechanism is active, and the fungal spores residing on the skin for less than 24 hours get washed away without affecting the skin. But if the nail bed is exposed, then the chances of getting toenail fungus infection increases.
If you were wearing a shoe that was loose when you had toenail fungus, and now due to some reason you feel that those shoes are tight, then do not wear them.
In a nutshell, wearing tight shoes is always dangerous, as it lifts up the toenail, and then the nail bed is then exposed. Thus, it will be easier for the fungus to sweep inside the toenail and infect it.
You must have seen a purple or green colored spot on your toenails, whenever you wear tight shoes. It is actually toenail fungus, and not some kind of blood in your nail bed. It will eventually become toenail fungus infection.
Walking bare feet
Walking barefoot means you are inviting the fungus to attack you. Floors, and grounds are never clean, and walking without any shoes can increase the risk of the toenail fungus.
How to avoid toenail fungus?
You must follow these simple lifestyle tips to avoid the toenail fungus infections.
- Always keep your toenails clean.
- Do not wear tight shoes.
- Do not wear socks that cause sweat and always use good socks to prevent toenail fungus.
- Also, do not share your shoes with anyone.
- Always clean the nail clippers after using.
- Do not use unsterilized tools for your nails ever.
- Use Epsom salt for bathing.
- Keep your feet moisturized.
- Avoid your feet from over sweating.
- Take care of your health.
Home remedies to avoid toenail fungus
You can try the following simple and easy to do DIY home remedies to avoid the growth of toenail fungus on your toes.
- Apply tea tree oil, lavender, clove, or oregano oil on your toenails every day. It will inhibit the growth of the toenail fungus.
- Always wash your toenails whenever you come back from outside with an antifungal and antibacterial soap.
- Make different types of foot soaks for your feet once a week. You can make a foot soak of apple cider vinegar and baking soda. It is very effective as it will change the pH of the toenail, and then the toenail fungus will be killed eventually.
- You can also try a paste of the baking soda, it is also very effective, and you can use it to create an acidic environment for the toenail fungus.
Easy treatment of toenail fungus with Urgent Fungus Destroyer
Urgent Fungus Destroyer is a type of supplement that has no side effects. Anyone can use it. These supplements are the ideal treatment for weak people who do not want to eat healthy or cannot afford a balanced diet.
You can either include the urgent fungus destroyer in your diet for regular use, if you do not want to have the toenail fungus infection, or start having it post infection. It has cat’s claw, marshmallow root, and mushroom complex, these are very effective in killing the toenail fungus.
Urgent fungus destroyer works improves the working of your immune system, and it will then eventually cure the toenail fungus infection. It will take almost three to four months to kill the toenail fungus completely.
Frequently Asked Question
Can I wear wet socks when suffering with toenail fungus?
Not at all, wet socks will increase the chances of the spread of toenail fungus.
Can I go for a pedicure when suffering with toenail fungus?
Yes, but all the tools used for pedicure need to be clean and sterilized.
Can toenail fungus spread to other feet?
Yes, it can.
Can touching the infected toe cause infection?
Yes, directly touching the toenail infected with toenail fungus will spread the infection.
Can toenail fungus spread internally?
Yes, it can spread internally if not taken care of at early stages. It will spread both internally and outside the body to other parts of the body.
Conclusion
The toenail fungus is very contagious if you don’t pay attention to stop it as soon as possible. Carelessness can increase the risk, one needs to follow all the preventive measures. Make sure that your diet is well nutritious and you are taking good care of your health and having some dietary supplement like Urgent Fungus Destroyer will also inhibit the growth of the toenail fungus faster. It is the only way to stop the spread of toenail fungus infection.