14 DAY TRIAL // As the cold season is already here, and it will linger for a while longer, it’s high time you started thinking about properly taking care of your feet and toes, which will be hidden in your boots or winter shoes long enough. One of the most common things you can expect would be infections with fungi, as they are microorganisms that don't need sunlight to develop and survive, but a warm, moist environment (as the one provided by your shoes). Another reason would be a weakness of your immune system, which makes it unable to detect and fight against infections.
Since the beginning of time, and the emergence of medicine as a science, the phrase “it is easier to prevent than to cure” has been used so often that it is now more of a common sense thing than anything else. That's why one should maintain a strict hygiene of the feet, while also keeping the toenails short and unpolished, and the feet properly dried. If you sweat excessively, change your socks as often as you can, especially after going to the gym. You might also spray your feet with an antifungal product before putting on shoes (a powder may have similar effects, so it can also be used). Take care of possible lesions and trim your toenails carefully, as germs can easily use them to enter your skin to do their “dirty job”.
When your toenails become thicker, crumblier, lackluster, and have a peculiar shape and a dark color, that's when you should start worrying. Still, there is no reason to despair – there are a bunch of home-made remedies that could easily help you out. First of all, tea-tree and lavender oil efficiently work in such cases, the first one being a genuine antiseptic, while the latter will calm the irritation. Just pour an equal amount of each on a cotton ball and gently rub it on the affected area a couple of times a day.
For the Listerine mouthwash addicts, we have nothing but good news, since its antibacterial properties are good for fighting fungus, too. You can also count on the efficiency of a mixture containing both apple and cider vinegar, in equal proportions – add it to warm water and then soak your feet in this “natural bath”. Gently dry your feet and wait for the effects. They won't take long before making themselves felt.