Fungal infections are quite common and can also be quite difficult to cure. The best way to protect yourself is to prevent them. If you have had frequent episodes of fungal infections or if you currently have one and are concerned that it may spread, see a doctor. If you just want to know how to protect yourself and others, there are a few simple steps you can take to prevent them from spreading.
Steps
Part 1 of 5: Prevention
Step 1. Wash your hands often
This is one of the best ways to stop any infectious spread. Make sure you wash them every time you touch an infected area of your skin or after touching objects or surfaces that could be contaminated. For example, if you use sports equipment for the gym, wash your hands immediately as soon as you finish your workout.
Step 2. Stay away from public places
If you have a fungal infection, you need to avoid those places where there is a greater chance of transmission. For example, there are more risks of spreading it in the gym or public swimming pools. All fungal infections, of any kind, are transmitted through contact. If you are currently infected, avoid going to any public environment where you could potentially infect other people.
Don't go to gyms, swimming pools, or public bathing areas until the fungus has resolved
Step 3. Wear your shoes everywhere
You could get an infection while walking barefoot, so footwear is great protection. If you have a foot infection and walk barefoot, you increase the chances of spreading it.
Make sure you keep some type of footwear when you are in public places, especially in spaces such as locker rooms, where more people tend to walk barefoot
Step 4. Tell your supervisor if you are affected
Some jobs involve frequent contact with people, and you may run the risk of infecting others. If your job also involves having a lot of close relationships with other individuals, such as nursing, you need to make this known to your supervisor.
Step 5. Use only your personal items
Do not share anything you own with others, whether or not you have yeast infection. Since fungi spread by contact, sharing objects is a vehicle for transmission and increases the risk that the spores can transfer from one person to another.
Do not share any personal belongings such as clothing, towels, shoes, socks, make-up, deodorants or anything else you use or wear on your body
Step 6. Cover the infected area
If you already have an infection, you should cover it before you leave the house and go to some public place. If you accidentally touch the fungus and then come into contact with another person or object, the infection spreads. Always try to keep the area of the body where the infection is well covered until it is healed.
- It is not necessary to keep children home from school if they have contracted the infection. However, you need to make sure to cover the area of their skin affected by the infection.
- Do not bandage the area too tightly. It is important that it remains cool and dry during the treatment.
Part 2 of 5: Preventing Athlete's Foot
Step 1. Use only your own towels, shoes and socks
If you share them, you can increase the chances of spreading the disease to other people or to other areas of the body. Be careful to use only items that you own. Do not lend or leave these items to others.
Step 2. Change the sheets and socks every day
You may get this infection through the sheets and socks where the fungi can develop and spread. To avoid the risk of spreading the spores from one foot to the other or the disease getting worse, you need to change these items every day until the infection is cured.
You need to change your socks even if your feet sweat, as sweat is another factor in the development of the infection
Step 3. Keep your feet dry
These fungi prefer humid or wet environments. If you keep your feet dry, it's harder to get sick. Follow the tips below to prevent your feet from getting wet and prevent athlete's foot:
- When you are at home and no one else in the household has athlete's foot or any other fungal infection, you can walk barefoot to keep them cool and dry;
- If the socks are soaked with sweat or wet, you need to change them as soon as possible;
- Always dry your feet thoroughly after washing them.
Step 4. Wear the correct footwear
They can play an important role in preventing athlete's foot, as long as they are shoes that allow you to keep your feet dry and clean. Keep these things in mind when you go to the store to buy shoes:
- Put on more than one pair of shoes; wear a different pair each day so they have time to dry between uses. You can also put talcum powder to further absorb moisture;
- Get shoes that allow air to pass through. Thus the feet remain dry and there is less risk of contracting the fungal infection;
- Do not share shoes with other people, otherwise the chances of spreading the disease increase;
- Avoid shoes that are too tight, as they make your feet sweat a lot.
Step 5. Do not take your shoes off when you are in public places
Wear appropriate shoes when you go outside the home. It is important to avoid walking barefoot, to avoid contracting athlete's foot or other diseases.
- Always wear sandals or flip flops in public showers;
- Always wear a pair of shoes when you are in the gym;
- Wear specific shoes in public swimming pools;
- You can walk barefoot when at home, as long as no other roommates have athlete's foot.
Step 6. Take care of your feet
An important aspect of prevention is keeping your feet dry, fresh and clean. To make this easier for you, apply different types of powders - your feet stay so dry and are less likely to get infected.
- Antifungal powders help your feet stay cool and stop mycosis.
- Talcum powder is useful for preventing sweating and keeping feet dry.
Part 3 of 5: Preventing Onychomycosis
Step 1. Protect yourself from the risk of getting this nail fungus when you go to the beautician
Reputable beauty salons practice good hygiene practices to protect their clients and employees from the risk of skin infections, but it is still possible to get the infection even in the best of environments. There are a few things you need to take into consideration when going for a manicure or pedicure.
- Make sure that the staff at the center you go to are qualified and authorized to carry out that profession;
- Learn about the method of sterilization of the tools used for the nails. They must be disinfected with heat in an autoclave to kill germs and bacteria. The other methods are not as effective.
- Never go to the manicurist or pedicurist if you know you suffer from onychomycosis, otherwise you could spread it to those who take care of you.
- Ask the beautician not to push back or cut the cuticles, as this increases the risk of infections.
- Wash your hands before going to the beauty salon and ask the manicurist to do the same; also check that you are wearing gloves.
- Ask for a liner for the hot tub or bring one from home if the beauty center doesn't provide it.
Step 2. Practice good hygiene
This is a great way to avoid getting nail fungus. Keeping your hands and feet clean is an easy way to prevent infection.
- Always keep your nails carefully trimmed and dry.
- Wash your hands and feet regularly.
- If you have a nail infection, do not touch anything after coming into contact with the infected areas, otherwise you will spread the fungus.
Step 3. Take care of your feet
This part of the body is often exposed to conditions that increase the risk of mycosis. Shoes and socks create a warm and humid environment, the perfect habitat for mushrooms. Put into practice some of these tips to prevent nail fungus on the feet:
- Wear footwear that allows air to circulate;
- Don't wear socks that make your feet sweat. Look for bamboo or polypropylene ones and avoid cotton;
- Change your socks often;
- Don't share your socks and shoes with anyone;
- Alternate the shoes you wear every day;
- Wash the socks with the detergent in hot or boiling water.
Step 4. Take care of your nails
Damaged fingernails and nail bed can be the "gateway" for root fungus. By caring for your nails and protecting the surrounding areas from possible injury, you can potentially avoid getting fungal infections.
- Do not scratch, pick or nibble your fingernails;
- Take care of any cuts or injuries near your nails.
Step 5. Reduce the use of nail polish
Nail polish or false nails can also increase the risk of getting a fungal infection. In fact, these products can trap moisture and fungal spores under the nail, causing infection. This risk decreases by reducing the frequency with which you apply nail polish.
If you've already got an infection, don't cover it with nail polish; you would only make the situation worse
Part 4 of 5: Preventing Yeast Infections
Step 1. Use precautions during oral sex
Although vaginal intercourse is believed to not spread yeast infections from one partner to another, oral intercourse can instead. Women can contract them after receiving oral intercourse due to the yeasts present in saliva.
To reduce this risk, use cling film or a dental dam
Step 2. Put on undergarments and pants made from natural, comfortable fabric
If they are too tight or made of synthetic fiber, they increase the risk of yeast infections; therefore, if you want to reduce the chances of getting sick, stick to natural fibers and loose clothing. For example, wear comfortable cotton underwear rather than tight synthetic underwear.
- Make sure you wash your underwear with warm soapy water; if you just wash it in the sink with cold water, it won't eliminate or reduce yeast contamination.
- Do not wear pantyhose, as they increase the chances of getting this type of infection.
Step 3. Change your underwear and pants when they are wet
Moisture increases the risk of yeast infections, so you need to be sure the vaginal area is dry. If your clothes are wet, such as after a workout or swimming, you need to change them as soon as possible, putting on clean, dry ones.
Step 4. Wipe from front to back
This is another way to prevent possible infections. When you go to the bathroom, you should clean yourself using this technique to reduce the risk of spreading microorganisms from the anal to the vaginal area, which could cause a yeast infection.
Step 5. Manage your stress
This is another factor responsible for this type of infection, so you need to try to relieve tension and live more relaxed. Exercise regularly, get adequate sleep, and use relaxation techniques to keep emotional tension under control.
Among the best techniques for reducing stress are yoga, deep breathing and meditation
Part 5 of 5: Preventing Ringworm
Step 1. Identify your risk factors
Ringworm is not very common and the greatest risk of contagion is represented by the proximity to people or animals that are affected by it (this cutaneous mycosis affects both humans and animals). Since it spreads by contact, if you touch an animal or person who is affected by it, you risk getting sick too. It is a disease that particularly affects school-age children and outbreaks usually occur in schools or kindergartens.
- Only pick up pets you know and check them periodically for infection.
- Do not touch wild or stray animals, as they can transmit diseases, including ringworm.
- Check your pets for the presence of this fungal infection. Generally, it presents with small, hairless patches and red skin.
- Sometimes your pet may not exhibit any symptoms, so you should always wash your hands after touching it.
- Ask your vet to check your pet for this infection if you are concerned that it may be affected.
Step 2. Wash your hair regularly with shampoo
Ringworm can also affect the scalp, where it is more difficult to eradicate. A simple technique you can use to prevent ringworm is to wash your hair on average every two days using a shampoo. When the scalp is clean, the chances of getting the infection are reduced.
- Wash your hair thoroughly and massage the entire scalp with a shampoo;
- Do not share caps or hair care tools with other people;
- Use a dandruff shampoo if you are prone to dandruff.
- Although some people tolerate a daily shampoo, for others constant use causes dry skin, thereby increasing the risk of infection. You may think that the ideal is to shampoo every day, but be careful if you see that the scalp tends to become dehydrated.
Step 3. Bathe or shower often and observe good hygiene practices
Ringworm spreads by contact and is very contagious. Wash with soap and water to get rid of fungal spores if you have come into contact with them. A good cleaning is a healthy way to reduce the chances of contagion.
- Shower regularly and wash thoroughly;
- Wash your hands throughout the day, to always keep them clean;
- Always dry yourself thoroughly every time you wash.
Step 4. Keep your hands away from infected areas
Do not scratch and do not touch the diseased areas. It may be tempting to tease them, but don't do it if you don't want to spread the fungus to other parts of the body or to other people.
- Do not lend your personal items to other people, such as clothing or a hairbrush.
- Always wash your hands after touching the infected areas; if you touch the mushroom area and then touch other people, you can spread the fungi.
