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Fungal nail infection (onychomycosis) - Management
What should I advise about self care of fungal nail infection?
- Advise the person to avoid or minimize exposure to situations which predispose to, or aggravate, fungal nail infection, for example:
- Prolonged or frequent exposure to warm, damp conditions.
- Occlusive footwear.
- Damaging the nails.
- Keep nails trimmed short and filed down.
- For toenail onychomycosis, advise the person to:
- Wear well-fitting shoes, without high heels or narrow toes.
- Maintain good foot hygiene, including treating any athlete's foot (tinea pedis).
- Wear clean shower shoes when using a communal shower.
- Be meticulous with the hygiene of affected feet.
- Consider seeking treatment from a podiatrist if thickened toenails cause discomfort when walking.
- Consider a medicated nail paint or lacquer for mild or superficial infection of nails.
- Advise that other fungal infections should be treated if present.
- Herbal products are promoted for fungal nail infection, but there is no good evidence that they are safe or more effective than standard treatments.
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