Is Toenail Fungus Contagious? [The Podiatrist SECRET for Treatment!]

Is Toenail Fungus Contagious?

• YES!
• Is Toenail Fungus Contagious? Toenail fungus is only contagious is the other person is at risk.
• But don’t blame your wife or husband! Fungus is almost everywhere, including our skin, our socks and old sneakers.
• It’s true that there are some virulent strains out there, but they are very rare.
• To get toenail fungus there must be some previous inflammation and irritation already occurring!

There are Four Reasons Toenail Fungus is Contagious:

1)Microtrauma:

The development of a precursory condition – Microtrauma:

• Before fungus can ever get underneath the toenail, it is necessary for something to irritate the toenail and cause little microscopic cracks and loosening.
• This is almost always a result of microtrauma and inflammation that must be corrected.
• This may also not be a problem in some, but usually the immune system is also impaired

Causes of Microtrauma:

• Footwear abnormalities- Poorly fitted shoes, tight shoe box, compressed forefoot, high heels or angled dress shoes.
• Biomechanical Abnormalities-  flat feet, tight calves, tight hips, one leg shorter than the other.
• Structural abnormalities- Long 2^nd digit, a morton’s foot type, hallux rigidus, flat feet foot pain,  wide foot types.
• Systemic abnormalities- Obesity.

Causes of Immune Depression:

• Smoking- causes poor blood flow.
• Diabetes.
• Peripheral vascular disease.
• Obesity.
• Any other severe metabolic problems.

Is Foot Fungus Contagious?

• The development of tinea pedis or contact with an environmental fungus.
• Foot fungus is as equally contagious as toenail fungus.
• People who are susceptible are those who spend time in communal areas such as showers saunas or pools.
• Those who don’t wear sandals in these area are susceptible to catching this.
• Foot fungus loves damp dark conditions.
• This is why it is extremely important to wear moisture wicking socks and good breathable shoes.

• Tinea pedis is any fungus present on the skin.
• This is usually very common and not a problem.
• Almost everyone gets some fungus in their shoe if they sweat at all.
• It is almost never a problem  but if there is space forming underneath the nail- then this gets dangerous because the fungus can migrate underneath the nail and start causing some problems.
• It is almost impossible to try and avoid the fungus.
• You should focus on making yourself resistant rather than avoiding it!

Consider Treating Athlete’s Foot Fungus:

• If you don’t treat athlete’s foot at the same time as toenail fungus, it won’t do you any good.
• If you get rid of the fungus in the toenails, but stays on the skin, it will come right back onto the nail.
• So the secret is to get rid of both toenail fungus and foot fungus at the same time!

3)Damage to the skin around the toenail:

The spread of pathogens along skin’s stratum corneum into the nail bed.

• This just means that the skin fungus migrates along the deeper layers of the skin and gets in underneath the nail plate.
• This is difficult to avoid because most shoes already have fungus in them.
• And you will eventually be on a beach, a pool or a shower barefoot and you may contact fungus.

4) The fungus begins to grow under the nail:

• Because the conditions were ripe for fungus settlement under the nail, they colonize here.
• They begin a vicious cycle of expanding and irritating under your toenail even further causing more damage.
• Just remember that they are not the cause!
• They came because something was already wrong in the first place.
• This is no different than leaving a pile of garbage in your backyard where rats hang out, and focusing only on getting rid of the rats and not the garbage pile.
• New ones would just show up later!

Toenail Fungus Home Treatment Guide:

1)Correct the Microtrauma:

• Treating the nail fungus is only one step in the treatment of nail fungus, the nail must be prevented from being susceptible from becoming infected.
• If this is not done then after you spend all that time curing your fungus, it may just come right back again.

This can be done by correcting one of many factors:

• Hallux Limitus.
• Bunion.
• Flat Feet.
• Obesity.
• Tight calf muscles
• Correct any system problems like smoking, peripheral vascular disease or diabetes.
• Get a biomechanical exam by your podiatrist

2) Fix your health conditions:

• This is a pretty straightforward, and you probably already know some of the things they can fix.
• If you are severely overweight, you have to lose weight.
• You are diabetic, you have to get your blood sugars under control and get the problem fixed.
• If you are sweating in on your feet, 12 hours a day, you have to control the sweat, where better shoes and better socks.
• There are usually associated with conditions that result in toenail fungus.
• The bottom line is that health. Could get, the less likely you are to have any toenail fungus or health conditions in general.

3)Eliminate the Fungus:

• Keep in mind that foot fungus can spread to toenail fungus.
• It is essential to heal and remove them both!
• Consider the products below for best effect.

For more on How is Toenail Fungus Spread:

• Consider the following recommended products for your foot fungus beyond your toenail fungus.
• One of the keys to fixing toenail fungus is also fixing your overall foot fungus and athlete’s foot.
• Foot fungus can also spread to toenail fungus, so fix them both!