Is it possible that the growth of toenail fungus in socks is accelerated? Toenail fungus can hide in surfaces that you wouldn’t expect. To effectively avoid it you need to be proactive and think about where it might be ahead of time. This is easily done by avoiding being barefoot in public areas. Common places where fungus thrives are public gyms, pools, and locker rooms. Additionally, you can avoid this by making sure that your nail technicians at salons properly sterilize their tools in between customers. One other place where toenail fungus can hide is right in your own drawer: it can hide in your socks.
Toenail fungus loves dark, damp, and moist environments. The feet are the perfect place for their growth for this reason. Socks form a barrier around the feet and can trap moisture inside of them. Because of this, sweaty socks create the perfect breeding ground for fungal growth. When you wear sweaty socks for a long period of time, you are giving fungus the opportunity to infect your nails.
Ways to avoid sweaty socks
The best thing to do is make sure that you always change your socks as soon as they get sweaty. Right after you exercise or go somewhere hot. If your feet are very sweaty and you can’t avoid a lot of sweat throughout the day, you should try to get socks and shoes that are more breathable. One option is to wear flip-flops or other open-toed shoes. This should allow your feet to breathe and sweat less. Lastly, make sure to never share socks with anybody else, as they could have fungal spores lingering on them.
If you have caught a toenail fungus, you should be seen by a licensed podiatrist as soon as possible for a consultation. They will be able to provide you with an FDA-approved treatment like the PinPointe laser, which typically requires only one treatment to cure the fungus. To schedule a consultation with a licensed podiatrist for the PinPointe laser treatment, give us a call at 1-(800) 672-0625 or visit our website for more information.
