Can a Blow Dryer Prevent Toenail Fungus?

Use a Blow Dryer

Fungi are a type of mold. They thrive in warm, moist environments. Because the skin between your toes and underneath your nails can trap and retain moisture, these spots are ideal candidates for toenail fungal infections.

Using a blow dryer when getting out of the shower, bath, or swimming pool is a great way of preventing toenail fungus. It only takes a few seconds to dry in between toes, and you can also target the toenails.

If you’re unsure of how to dry your toes, the best way to do it is to keep the blow dryer a few inches away from your skin to avoid pain and discomfort. Angle the blow dryer to target the top of your feet before doing the same thing for the bottom of your feet. You can then angle the blow dryer to face your toes and dry the spots between your toes as well as the toenails. Use back-and-forth motions to make sure you’re drying all your toes evenly.

How long do toes take to dry with a blow dryer? You should be able to dry your feet completely within 30 seconds per foot.

If you have diabetic neuropathy, be careful using this technique so you don’t accidentally burn your feet with the hot air.

Avoid Using a Towel

Using a towel to absorb moisture beats putting your socks and shoes on while your feet are still wet. However, a towel isn’t the best way to prevent toenail fungus.

How do you get toe fungus? It’s important to understand what causes toe fungus. You’ll typically pick up spores when walking on wet floors, especially in locker rooms and public showers.

The spores will then grow and thrive if they’re in a dark, damp, and warm environment. Drying with a towel is not a good idea because your towel could become the perfect breeding ground for fungal spores.

You could accidentally spread these spores to other areas of your body and develop athlete’s foot, skin infections, or psoriasis.

Plus, drying with a towel makes you more likely to miss spots. Most people will not take the time to wipe the moisture between their toes when using a towel.

If you have to use a towel, wash it regularly and use a separate towel for your feet if possible.

Don’t Air Dry Your Feet

Air drying your feet isn’t a good option since it could take as long as 30 minutes before your feet are completely dry. Plus, if you’re at the gym, you’ll probably spend this time walking around the locker room, which means you could pick up bacteria and spores.

Plus, if you picked up fungal spores in the showers, the 30 minutes you spend air drying your feet will give these spores plenty of time to start spreading.

Wear Shower Shoes

Shower shoes for the gym will protect your feet. Don’t walk barefoot in public areas; instead, wear flip-flops or non-slip shower shoes to prevent direct contact with the floor.

Shower shoes can prevent contact with fungal spores and will also protect you from the bacteria that cause plantar warts.

Use Proper Hygiene

Taking good care of your toes and nails can go a long way in protecting you from fungal infections. Trimming your nails too short, having ingrown nails, or waiting too long between trims can create points of entry for fungus.

Give yourself a pedicure at home at least every six weeks. Use a nail clipper to trim your nails straight across, and don’t round the edges.

Washing your feet is also important. Use an antibacterial soap and consider using a soft-bristle brush to scrub between your toes if you are prone to getting athlete’s foot.

When visiting a nail salon, make sure they’re following proper sanitizing procedures. Improper tool cleaning can spread toenail fungus from one salon client to another.

Pick Appropriate Footwear

Wearing shoes that fit properly can reduce the risk factors that make you more likely to develop infections and other issues.

If you’re an athlete, wear shoes with a moisture-wicking liner that can keep the sweat away from your skin. Mesh shoes are a must-have when training in the summer. Ideally, you should have more than one pair of shoes so you can rotate them and wash them as needed.