Yes, nail fungus is a contagious disease. But it is not spreading by being in the close proximity of an affected person. It is likely to spread by sharing things like towels, shoes, socks etc. Even using the same bath can also cause spreading this disease.
Is it too dangerous that you need to keep away from the affected person? NO. Nail fungus may be contagious with closer proximity but it is not a dangerous disease that you need to stay away or isolate the sufferer. But touching the affected area can definitely spread the disease. There also are other factors that increase or decreases the chance of spreading.
Favorable Conditions For Nail Fungus Spreading
Warm and moist is what fungus loves to have. They are likely to arise and spread when the climate is warm with more moisture in the air. The sweaty days of summer, damp days during the rainy season and the closeted days in winter where you are wrapping the fingers inside warm layers are all favorable for fungal growth.
During summer, wearing closed shoes can make the feet warm and sweaty. If you have come in contact with the causative fungus recently, this can be a favorable condition for them to grow in. The solution here would be to use open footwear in the summer. This allows the skin to breathe and dissipate the heat.
Rainy season is already damp. The fungus could be anywhere in the vicinity. The possible way it could affect you is if you are wearing damp shoes or socks for a prolonged period. You could get affected from the sweaty locker rooms, shower rooms and even gym as well.
During winter, the infections may be low but not impossible. We try to keep ourselves warm in this season. Sometimes, the gloves and warm socks can make the hands and feet sweaty. If there happens to be an infection in these conditions, the fungus can grow fast.
In short, there is no particular season when you can expect the nail fungus infections. It can happen anytime, from almost anywhere. The best way to stay away from contamination is to keep ourselves clean and dry.
Where can you get the nail fungus infections from?
- Public places: Public areas like swimming pools, locker room, public showers and even the restrooms can also be a breeding ground for these fungi. The floor on the locker room can have the fungus if there is anyone infected. To avoid the risk of infection try not to touch anyone else’s things. Keep a hand-sanitizer all the time and make sure that you don’t walk barefoot on such floors.
- Salons: Salons are another of the most common place where you can get nail fungus infection from. The nail clippers, pedicure or manicure tools that are used by an affected person could put you under threat of getting the same infection. Just make sure that the tools are properly sterilized. Asking for a new set of tools may be safer here.
- Walking: Walking barefoot can be healthy and fun when done on the beach or park. Just make sure that you clean the feet thoroughly and keep it dry immediately after. This minimizes the infection chances. If you already are an infected person, NEVER WALK BAREFOOT in the public places or at home. You may be increasing the chances of infection.
Immunity also plays an important role in nail fungus
The immunity of the person is highly important when it comes to diseases like nail fungus infections. A person with a weaker immunity is more likely to get the infection than a person who has a strong immune system. The mere presence of fungus cannot lead to the infection. When the immunity is strong, the body can thwart the threat easily without leading to the symptoms.
This is also why someone with an injury gets the fungal infection easily. Their immunity is already overworking, it may not be able to take another task. This leads to infection.
People having diabetes are also vulnerable to fungal infections. For them, there is a problem of not feeling the pain from the small cuts and injuries, especially in the extreme ends of the limbs. These small injuries are enough for the fungus to enter the system causing the infection. Diabetes also weakens the immunity that adds more fuel to the problem.
Ways to prevent the nail fungus infection
As it says, prevention is better than cure. It stays true with the nail fungus cases. Preventing the fungal infection is possible when the infected person can care for a few things.
- Never share personal things with others. This is the primary way the infection can spread. Sharing the towel, hankies, footwear, socks or even the same bathroom are possible to spread the disease.
- Wash the clothes and the bath thoroughly with a disinfectant. Otherwise, it can still spread the disease.
- Use apple cider vinegar to wipe the footwear with a disinfectant.
- Always wear a sock on the infected foot or a glove for the hand to prevent contaminating the surfaces. Under these circumstances, never do the dishes with the bare hands. Use a glove while doing so.
- Try as much as possible, stay away from the salons, pools, gyms etc for a while. You can even forget about manicure-pedicure, as doing it can increase the infection. There is also the threat of spreading it to others.
- Keep the affected nail clean and dry all the time.
- Get medical attention promptly. Fungal infections would need topical and internal medications to get faster results.
Keeping the nails dry and clean is imperative for nail fungal infections. Keep changing the socks regularly. If you have a dressing, change it in every 5-6 hours. Even the bandages get damp, feeding to the fungus. Also, use Apple Cider Vinegar as the final wash on the affected areas and have the hand sanitizer, preferably a medicated one to stop the spreading. Preventing the spread can help the others as well as you. Nail fungus is not a localized infection. It can spread easily from the hand nails to the toes and vice versa. A little extra care is all that is required.