Take a minute

Take a minute and pop off that slipper or sock. If you wear nail polish, go ahead and remove the polish. What do your nails look like?

Are your nails clear or brittle?
Does the nail have a change in shape or look crumbly on the outside edge?
Do they have white or yellow streaks on the sides of the nail?
How about any debris or lifting of the nail?

If you notice any of the above symptoms, it would be best to have your nails looked at by your Podiatrist especially since spring is right around the corner! If it is determined you have fungal nails, there are choices for treatments and what better time with warm weather season just around the corner!

There are ways to prevent the fungus, here are a few tips to think about:
If you indulge in pedicures, do your research and find a local Medical Nail Technician (MNT) in your area. MNT’s are trained specifically in aseptic techniques and dealing with high risk feet such as Diabetics. Make sure the pedicture bowl is cleaned and the package of autoclaved tools are opened in front of you prior to the service. By all means, never share tools…your friends and family can get fungus too!

Many folks walk around barefoot in wet areas such as locker rooms and swim areas. Yikes! To reduce the chance of picking up a fungus in wet areas, always, always, always wear shoes or sandals.

After workouts – get out of your shoes and socks. The moist environment is a breeding ground for fungus. This goes for your workout clothes as well. Talk with your Podiatrist about the best anti-fungal spray for you to use as a preventative measure.

If you have sweaty feet, change your socks often (more than once a day) and wear moisture wicking materials, not cotton. Cotton is a great absorber of sweat however it retains the moisture in the fibers where as performance or moisture wicking materials will wick the moisture away, dry and repeat.

Your shoes also play a big role as well. It is best to have multiple pairs of shoes to alternate between workouts. The same goes for daily wear. Allowing shoes to dry completely between wear will help and remember, athletic shoes last anywhere from three to six months and should be replaced.

Following preventive measures will give you happy feet to show off in the upcoming warm season – bring on the sandals!