Athletes and nail fungus have more in common than you might think. There is no 100% guaranteed way to prevent a nail fungus infection. People can certainly decrease their chances of becoming infected by doing things such as avoiding injury. There is always going to be a chance of infection no matter what is done. Of course, people who don’t even try to prevent a nail fungus infection are going to be more at risk. If this person is an athlete, the risk goes up even more.

Why do athletes get nail fungus?

Athletes tend to spend lots of time on their feet, making them a target for nail fungus. This is because nail fungal organisms thrive in moist environments such as sweaty feet. The more someone sweats, the greater the chance that nail fungus will be able to grow. Athletes who suffer from constantly sweaty feet should pay more attention to them. They need to continuously wipe away their sweat throughout the day. They should also be prepared to change into an extra pair of shoes. Also, a few extra pairs of socks, especially if they will be exercising for a long period of time.

Another important thing for athletes to pay attention to is the shower they use. Public showers are a breeding ground for nail fungus so athletes should avoid them if possible. This is probably only feasible if they live nearby so a public shower may have to do. Keep in mind that nail fungal spores can spread from one person to another. Athletes who use public showers should always wear showers inside of the shower. Their feet never touch the shower floor.

Laser Treatment for Toenail Fungus

If you have caught nail fungus, it can be easily treated using the FDA-approved PinPointe laser, which typically only takes on treatment. Other treatments like topical solutions and oral medication are not as effective. Topical solutions have a very low cure rate. This is because the solution does not penetrate all the way through the nail bed. Oral medication is not recommended by our nail doctors. This is because it can lead to liver toxicity. You would need to have consistent blood tests throughout the course of taking the medication. 

Our nail doctor in San Francisco, CA recommends this treatment. The PinPointe Laser treatment has the highest cure rate in the market. It has no side effects and no recovery period. As a result, you can go about your daily activities right after the treatment. Also, it is not painful.

If you have any signs of nail fungus, call us at (800) 672-0625 or visit our website for more information on our doctors at one of our over 150 locations.