Is Toenail Fungus Contagious? The SECRET to getting rid of it by a Podiatrist!
Is toenail fungus contagious? YES! But if you are healthy you should be OK 95% of the time. They key is exfoliating your loose and dead toenail tissue.
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 2nd 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.
2)Foot Fungus:
The development of tinea pedis or contact with an environmental fungus.
- 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!
Best Foot Fungus Products
Best Fungus Combo (Foot Soak, Body Wash & Toe Ointment)
Best Foot Powder Option For Shoes.
Best Shower Body Wash
Best choice for Foot Bath Mix
Best & Most Cost Effective Foot Soak Tub.
Price:
$29.95
$19.32
$15.15
$14.95
$14.97
Overview:
This is almost everything you need for foot fungus! This has a foot soak powder, body wash for showering and toenail ointment.
3 pack of foot powder spray. This is great for shoes and feet, but not as practical outside the foot or shoe.
Great cost effective shower wash.
Mix of epsom salts, tea tree oil for a good price.
This is a cost effective tub for foot soaks. You still need to also buy a foot soak powder or solution!
Pros:
Great cost ($50+ separately), $29 in the bundle. Tea tree oil has proven antifungal benefits. Excellent reviews and good overall cost value.
If you sweat in your shoes, this is your best bet. This will soak up sweat and kill fungus. Very effective and excellent Amazon reviews. 3 pack online is the price of one bottle at the store.
Over 5,000 5 star amazon reviews. Great reviews, medically proven component in tea tree oil. All natural with excellent results.
Epsom salts and tea tree oil have proven effect. Epsom salts make your loose skin flake off and tea tree oil is anti-fungal. Great price and near 5 star review on Amazon.
Excellent choice for cost effective foot soak tub. Top notch reviews on amazon, great price.
Cons:
The combo could be more than you need. You still need a foot bath tub.
Powder makes a big mess. Good for shoes but it can get powder inside your shoes. Can have chemical like smell.
Can be more expensive than regular soap. It may not be enough by itself without soaking or especially further toenail treatment.
Foot soak by itself may not be enough to fix your problem, but a component. You also need a foot tub.
Not much downsides, it's a tub! But you have to get foot soak powder or antifungal solution separately.
Amazon Reviewer Comments (Make sure to do your own review research through the link):
"I was a little skeptical about this product because my nails were so jacked up, but I figured I didn’t have much to lose! I’m sooo glad that I tried this product; it really is great! I’ve been using it for almost three months now and I can see a complete difference!"
"I used it everyday for about a week or so and it took 2 bottles to completely clear my athletes foot, and I mean completely. I'm really impressed. "
"I have used Amazon for YEARS and sadly have never written a review until now. That's how strongly I feel about this product! "
" The cracks are starting to heal. The funk is going away. My feet feel lighter and softer, and are beginning to be a pleasure to stand on again during those long hours at work."
"I’m a professional manicurist and I do a lot of pedicures. This is the best soaking bucket I’ve come across. It’s nice and deep which keeps the water hot longer and very easy to sanitize."
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links helps support the site): Thank you!
Best Foot Fungus Products
Best Fungus Combo (Foot Soak, Body Wash & Toe Ointment)
Price:
$29.95
Overview:
This is almost everything you need for foot fungus! This has a foot soak powder, body wash for showering and toenail ointment.
Pros:
Great cost ($50+ separately), $29 in the bundle. Tea tree oil has proven antifungal benefits. Excellent reviews and good overall cost value.
Cons:
The combo could be more than you need. You still need a foot bath tub.
Amazon Reviewer Comments (Make sure to do your own review research through the link):
"I was a little skeptical about this product because my nails were so jacked up, but I figured I didn’t have much to lose! I’m sooo glad that I tried this product; it really is great! I’ve been using it for almost three months now and I can see a complete difference!"
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links helps support the site): Thank you!
Best Foot Fungus Products
Best Foot Powder Option For Shoes.
Price:
$19.32
Overview:
3 pack of foot powder spray. This is great for shoes and feet, but not as practical outside the foot or shoe.
Pros:
If you sweat in your shoes, this is your best bet. This will soak up sweat and kill fungus. Very effective and excellent Amazon reviews. 3 pack online is the price of one bottle at the store.
Cons:
Powder makes a big mess. Good for shoes but it can get powder inside your shoes. Can have chemical like smell.
Amazon Reviewer Comments (Make sure to do your own review research through the link):
"I used it everyday for about a week or so and it took 2 bottles to completely clear my athletes foot, and I mean completely. I'm really impressed. "
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links helps support the site): Thank you!
Best Foot Fungus Products
Best Shower Body Wash
Price:
$15.15
Overview:
Great cost effective shower wash.
Pros:
Over 5,000 5 star amazon reviews. Great reviews, medically proven component in tea tree oil. All natural with excellent results.
Cons:
Can be more expensive than regular soap. It may not be enough by itself without soaking or especially further toenail treatment.
Amazon Reviewer Comments (Make sure to do your own review research through the link):
"I have used Amazon for YEARS and sadly have never written a review until now. That's how strongly I feel about this product! "
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links helps support the site): Thank you!
Best Foot Fungus Products
Best choice for Foot Bath Mix
Price:
$14.95
Overview:
Mix of epsom salts, tea tree oil for a good price.
Pros:
Epsom salts and tea tree oil have proven effect. Epsom salts make your loose skin flake off and tea tree oil is anti-fungal. Great price and near 5 star review on Amazon.
Cons:
Foot soak by itself may not be enough to fix your problem, but a component. You also need a foot tub.
Amazon Reviewer Comments (Make sure to do your own review research through the link):
" The cracks are starting to heal. The funk is going away. My feet feel lighter and softer, and are beginning to be a pleasure to stand on again during those long hours at work."
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links helps support the site): Thank you!
Best Foot Fungus Products
Best & Most Cost Effective Foot Soak Tub.
Price:
$14.97
Overview:
This is a cost effective tub for foot soaks. You still need to also buy a foot soak powder or solution!
Pros:
Excellent choice for cost effective foot soak tub. Top notch reviews on amazon, great price.
Cons:
Not much downsides, it's a tub! But you have to get foot soak powder or antifungal solution separately.
Amazon Reviewer Comments (Make sure to do your own review research through the link):
"I’m a professional manicurist and I do a lot of pedicures. This is the best soaking bucket I’ve come across. It’s nice and deep which keeps the water hot longer and very easy to sanitize."
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links helps support the site): Thank you!
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!
We also smooths out from the top to get as much of the top layer of the nail gone as possible. At this point you put on the antifungal medications we list below, and the toenail should get much much better very quickly!
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!
Toenail Fungus Home Treatment Options:
- The real secret is to decrease the microtrauma for your toenails.
- Then you need to trim and file your toenails down properly.
- Once you do that, the following products should more than help you repair the toenail damage.
Best Toenail Repair Products:
Best Toenail Repair Pen.
Top Choice For Direct Toenail Application.
Top Choice For Cream For Toenails & Webspaces.
Great Option For Foot Soak.
Price:
$27.97
$20.97
$15.49
$14.97
Overview:
4 Pens with quick dry application that leaves a sealing lid on top. Easy to store and apply. Key is still to trim/file the toenail first!
All natural option that is toxic to fungus. This is similar to tea tree oil in that respect but can be more effective. You still need to exfoliate dead skin and trim thick toenails.
All natural cream option. This is a good option compared to some of the quick dry gels. This can be used on the skin surrounding your toenails.
Safe, cost effective and relaxing all at the same time! This needs to be used in a 20 minute foot soak. Works well for exfoliating loose skin/toenail as well as softening.
Pros:
Easy to use, quick drying. This fills into the cracks and seals them with minimal mess. This is great for sealing even dehydrated keratin granulations.
All natural, relatively cost effective. 1,000s of reviews with excellent results. Very clean and quick drying, easy to apply.
Relatively cost effective. All natural tea tree oil that is proven toxic to fungus. Can be used on surrounding skin as well.
Very safe, little risk, low cost and very effective if used correctly. The key is to use it as an aid to soften and exfoliate loose/dry dead skin and toenail.
Cons:
0% chance of working if your toenail is loose and has no blood supply. Make sure you trim and file any loose finger or toenail. Otherwise "0% CHANCE OF WORKING!" You cannot restore a dead toenail without blood flow.
Small amount and a little more expensive than some other options. Once more has 0% chance of working if your goal is to heal a dead, detached toenail or dry skin. Are you noticing this is a trend? This is really the key!
Still more expensive than other options. Can get messy all over different areas of your foot. Key is still debride and cleaning your dry dead toenails and skin. TRIM them!
It once more has 0% chance working if you are trying to save loose and dead crusty skin. Fungus will always grow on this if no blood flow. It can not regenerate dead skin, only exfoliate it.
Amazon Reviewer Comments (Make sure to do your own review research through the link):
"It really works, and helped me! I have tried sooo many products on the market, but none of them helped. This one was my savior!"
"I have been used a lots products didn't work. This product is really really work well. I have been using 3weeks, so far works good. The healthy nail is growing now."
"I've had athletes foot, with toenail fungus for the past 10+ years. I've used just about everything off the shelf to address this problem. This product did the trick!"
"In love with this product! While at work all I can think about is coming home to soak my feet. My feet feel absolutely amazing!"
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links helps support the site): Thank you!
Best Toenail Repair Products:
Best Toenail Repair Pen.
Price:
$27.97
Overview:
4 Pens with quick dry application that leaves a sealing lid on top. Easy to store and apply. Key is still to trim/file the toenail first!
Pros:
Easy to use, quick drying. This fills into the cracks and seals them with minimal mess. This is great for sealing even dehydrated keratin granulations.
Cons:
0% chance of working if your toenail is loose and has no blood supply. Make sure you trim and file any loose finger or toenail. Otherwise "0% CHANCE OF WORKING!" You cannot restore a dead toenail without blood flow.
Amazon Reviewer Comments (Make sure to do your own review research through the link):
"It really works, and helped me! I have tried sooo many products on the market, but none of them helped. This one was my savior!"
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links helps support the site): Thank you!
Best Toenail Repair Products:
Top Choice For Direct Toenail Application.
Price:
$20.97
Overview:
All natural option that is toxic to fungus. This is similar to tea tree oil in that respect but can be more effective. You still need to exfoliate dead skin and trim thick toenails.
Pros:
All natural, relatively cost effective. 1,000s of reviews with excellent results. Very clean and quick drying, easy to apply.
Cons:
Small amount and a little more expensive than some other options. Once more has 0% chance of working if your goal is to heal a dead, detached toenail or dry skin. Are you noticing this is a trend? This is really the key!
Amazon Reviewer Comments (Make sure to do your own review research through the link):
"I have been used a lots products didn't work. This product is really really work well. I have been using 3weeks, so far works good. The healthy nail is growing now."
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links helps support the site): Thank you!
Best Toenail Repair Products:
Top Choice For Cream For Toenails & Webspaces.
Price:
$15.49
Overview:
All natural cream option. This is a good option compared to some of the quick dry gels. This can be used on the skin surrounding your toenails.
Pros:
Relatively cost effective. All natural tea tree oil that is proven toxic to fungus. Can be used on surrounding skin as well.
Cons:
Still more expensive than other options. Can get messy all over different areas of your foot. Key is still debride and cleaning your dry dead toenails and skin. TRIM them!
Amazon Reviewer Comments (Make sure to do your own review research through the link):
"I've had athletes foot, with toenail fungus for the past 10+ years. I've used just about everything off the shelf to address this problem. This product did the trick!"
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links helps support the site): Thank you!
Best Toenail Repair Products:
Great Option For Foot Soak.
Price:
$14.97
Overview:
Safe, cost effective and relaxing all at the same time! This needs to be used in a 20 minute foot soak. Works well for exfoliating loose skin/toenail as well as softening.
Pros:
Very safe, little risk, low cost and very effective if used correctly. The key is to use it as an aid to soften and exfoliate loose/dry dead skin and toenail.
Cons:
It once more has 0% chance working if you are trying to save loose and dead crusty skin. Fungus will always grow on this if no blood flow. It can not regenerate dead skin, only exfoliate it.
Amazon Reviewer Comments (Make sure to do your own review research through the link):
"In love with this product! While at work all I can think about is coming home to soak my feet. My feet feel absolutely amazing!"
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links helps support the site): Thank you!
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!
Best Foot Fungus Products
Best Fungus Combo (Foot Soak, Body Wash & Toe Ointment)
Best Foot Powder Option For Shoes.
Best Shower Body Wash
Best choice for Foot Bath Mix
Best & Most Cost Effective Foot Soak Tub.
Price:
$29.95
$19.32
$15.15
$14.95
$14.97
Overview:
This is almost everything you need for foot fungus! This has a foot soak powder, body wash for showering and toenail ointment.
3 pack of foot powder spray. This is great for shoes and feet, but not as practical outside the foot or shoe.
Great cost effective shower wash.
Mix of epsom salts, tea tree oil for a good price.
This is a cost effective tub for foot soaks. You still need to also buy a foot soak powder or solution!
Pros:
Great cost ($50+ separately), $29 in the bundle. Tea tree oil has proven antifungal benefits. Excellent reviews and good overall cost value.
If you sweat in your shoes, this is your best bet. This will soak up sweat and kill fungus. Very effective and excellent Amazon reviews. 3 pack online is the price of one bottle at the store.
Over 5,000 5 star amazon reviews. Great reviews, medically proven component in tea tree oil. All natural with excellent results.
Epsom salts and tea tree oil have proven effect. Epsom salts make your loose skin flake off and tea tree oil is anti-fungal. Great price and near 5 star review on Amazon.
Excellent choice for cost effective foot soak tub. Top notch reviews on amazon, great price.
Cons:
The combo could be more than you need. You still need a foot bath tub.
Powder makes a big mess. Good for shoes but it can get powder inside your shoes. Can have chemical like smell.
Can be more expensive than regular soap. It may not be enough by itself without soaking or especially further toenail treatment.
Foot soak by itself may not be enough to fix your problem, but a component. You also need a foot tub.
Not much downsides, it's a tub! But you have to get foot soak powder or antifungal solution separately.
Amazon Reviewer Comments (Make sure to do your own review research through the link):
"I was a little skeptical about this product because my nails were so jacked up, but I figured I didn’t have much to lose! I’m sooo glad that I tried this product; it really is great! I’ve been using it for almost three months now and I can see a complete difference!"
"I used it everyday for about a week or so and it took 2 bottles to completely clear my athletes foot, and I mean completely. I'm really impressed. "
"I have used Amazon for YEARS and sadly have never written a review until now. That's how strongly I feel about this product! "
" The cracks are starting to heal. The funk is going away. My feet feel lighter and softer, and are beginning to be a pleasure to stand on again during those long hours at work."
"I’m a professional manicurist and I do a lot of pedicures. This is the best soaking bucket I’ve come across. It’s nice and deep which keeps the water hot longer and very easy to sanitize."
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links helps support the site): Thank you!
Best Foot Fungus Products
Best Fungus Combo (Foot Soak, Body Wash & Toe Ointment)
Price:
$29.95
Overview:
This is almost everything you need for foot fungus! This has a foot soak powder, body wash for showering and toenail ointment.
Pros:
Great cost ($50+ separately), $29 in the bundle. Tea tree oil has proven antifungal benefits. Excellent reviews and good overall cost value.
Cons:
The combo could be more than you need. You still need a foot bath tub.
Amazon Reviewer Comments (Make sure to do your own review research through the link):
"I was a little skeptical about this product because my nails were so jacked up, but I figured I didn’t have much to lose! I’m sooo glad that I tried this product; it really is great! I’ve been using it for almost three months now and I can see a complete difference!"
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links helps support the site): Thank you!
Best Foot Fungus Products
Best Foot Powder Option For Shoes.
Price:
$19.32
Overview:
3 pack of foot powder spray. This is great for shoes and feet, but not as practical outside the foot or shoe.
Pros:
If you sweat in your shoes, this is your best bet. This will soak up sweat and kill fungus. Very effective and excellent Amazon reviews. 3 pack online is the price of one bottle at the store.
Cons:
Powder makes a big mess. Good for shoes but it can get powder inside your shoes. Can have chemical like smell.
Amazon Reviewer Comments (Make sure to do your own review research through the link):
"I used it everyday for about a week or so and it took 2 bottles to completely clear my athletes foot, and I mean completely. I'm really impressed. "
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links helps support the site): Thank you!
Best Foot Fungus Products
Best Shower Body Wash
Price:
$15.15
Overview:
Great cost effective shower wash.
Pros:
Over 5,000 5 star amazon reviews. Great reviews, medically proven component in tea tree oil. All natural with excellent results.
Cons:
Can be more expensive than regular soap. It may not be enough by itself without soaking or especially further toenail treatment.
Amazon Reviewer Comments (Make sure to do your own review research through the link):
"I have used Amazon for YEARS and sadly have never written a review until now. That's how strongly I feel about this product! "
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links helps support the site): Thank you!
Best Foot Fungus Products
Best choice for Foot Bath Mix
Price:
$14.95
Overview:
Mix of epsom salts, tea tree oil for a good price.
Pros:
Epsom salts and tea tree oil have proven effect. Epsom salts make your loose skin flake off and tea tree oil is anti-fungal. Great price and near 5 star review on Amazon.
Cons:
Foot soak by itself may not be enough to fix your problem, but a component. You also need a foot tub.
Amazon Reviewer Comments (Make sure to do your own review research through the link):
" The cracks are starting to heal. The funk is going away. My feet feel lighter and softer, and are beginning to be a pleasure to stand on again during those long hours at work."
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links helps support the site): Thank you!
Best Foot Fungus Products
Best & Most Cost Effective Foot Soak Tub.
Price:
$14.97
Overview:
This is a cost effective tub for foot soaks. You still need to also buy a foot soak powder or solution!
Pros:
Excellent choice for cost effective foot soak tub. Top notch reviews on amazon, great price.
Cons:
Not much downsides, it's a tub! But you have to get foot soak powder or antifungal solution separately.
Amazon Reviewer Comments (Make sure to do your own review research through the link):
"I’m a professional manicurist and I do a lot of pedicures. This is the best soaking bucket I’ve come across. It’s nice and deep which keeps the water hot longer and very easy to sanitize."
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links helps support the site): Thank you!
The Complete Toenail Fungus Guide
Other Related Nail Problems:
See if any of these other problems apply to your situation!
- Toenail Fungus
- Very Long Toenails
- Ingrown Toenail
- Toenail Falling Off
- Black Streaks Under The Nails
- White Patches On Toenails
- Black Spot Under The Toenail
- Red Spot Under The Toenail
- Toenail Coming Off The Nail Bed
- Toenail Psoriasis
