I don’t know why you are reading this, maybe you have fungal infection on your nail and you don’t want to spread it to your baby or other people around you,
or you ask yourself “is nail fungus contagious to other parts of the body or whether the onychomycosis can spread through nail polish,
continue reading to find your answers and learn how to prevent fungal infection spreading to your family.
Some people are wondering if fungal infection is contagious to the finger, in the pool and in the bathtub and the answer is yes and no,
It all depends on the severity of the infection.
There are people who are vulnerable to this infection more especially on the foot because their immune response is compromised by illnesses like diabetes and Hiv.
Remember that fungal infection is a microorganism that can spread through bloodstream and if not treated can cause athlete’s foot.
Check out the best way to prevent the spread of nail fungus
Can Toenail Fungus Spread To Others?
Yes, it can be spread either directly or indirectly but fortunately it can not be transmitted via air.
If you live someone who is suffering from nail infection you have to take preventive measures though to avoid infection.
Researchers have just recently been able to provide evidence that the infection can be transmitted from one person to another.
With latest research in molecular biology techniques, researchers traced the same microscopic organism named dermatophytes causing common fungal infections within families.
The most common form of direct infection is when you get in contact with someone infected with onychomycosis ( touching severe fungal infection condition).
Bear in mind that there chances of getting infected are very low but it is possible.
Avoid wearing shoes and socks of someone who has nail fungal infection no matter how close you are with that person,
it can be your spouse for that matter.
Fungal infection is easily transmitted by sharing personal things like towels or using the same bath mat after taking a shower.
Wearing shower shoes in locker rooms and public pools will reduce the chance of getting cracked and brittle nails because the exposure is high in these places.
Salon is one of the places that can promote infection transmission to others if tools like clippers, files etc are not sanitized before and after use because one person can contaminate nails set during treatment.
A nail infection can easily infect people with low immunity or people with nail injury.
Is Toenail Fungus Really Contagious To Babies?
Yes it is, It can be transmitted through the use of tools like nail clippers on the baby that has been used before to cut fungal infected nail.
Babies with weak immune system are more likely to be infected by direct contact with infected individuals.
Do you have someone with fungal infection in the house?
To prevent the baby from being infected you are recommended to use items like nail clippers, towels, soap and other personal stuff only on the baby because they are capable of transmitting the infection.
The study found that the toenail fungus can spread from nail to nail, nail to skin, and person to person through sharing of contaminated items including the toddler.
Can Toenail Fungus Spread In The Bathtub?
Is Toenail Fungal infection Contagious In The Shower?
It was found that the onychomycosis can survive on the temperature below 30°C, that means it can be found in the bathtub and the chances of getting infected are very slim…
unless you have a cut around the nail and you are in the bathtub with the person infected with nail fungal infection.
If you live with infected person you are advised to clean the bathtub after each use with bleach to kill the onychomycosis, don’t use the bath mat and use flip flops instead and do not share soap and towel especially in public showers.
How To Prevent Toenail Fungus From Spreading To Family?
Start by educating your family about the importance of preventing fungal nail infections so that they take precautionary measures when they are away at places like swimming pools, locker rooms and gym showers.
If you live with someone with weak immune response or has chronic disease like diabetes you need to be extra careful.
Older people are at high risk because they tend to have brittle and dry cracked nails due to age that allow tinea unguium to enter the body.
To prevent fungal transmission to family members you need to follow these:
- Do not share nail clippers used by fungi infected person or disinfect before use avoid the side effects.
- Do not share shocks, towels or shoes with the infected person.
- Avoid using the bathtub mat because it can be contaminated.
- Disinfect your shoes, socks and feet with antifungal powder or spray.
- It is a good idea to wash your hands and your feet more often with warm water and soap to keep yourself clean.
Check out the best way to prevent the spread of nail fungus
Can It Spread To Other Parts Of The Body?
Can Toenail Fungus Spread Internally?
Yes it can but under extreme conditions caused by not treating fungal nail infections at an early stage.
If not treated at an early stage it can spread to other body parts through the blood, since it is a living organism, of people with compromised immunity due to illness or major operations but for healthy people it is unlikely to spread fungi infection through blood.
Can Toenail Fungus Spread To Skin?
A severe infection can cause the fungi to spread to skin surrounding the nail resulting in a condition called athlete’s foot that causes the skin to become red, crack and to itch.
In rare cases it can lead to ailments like foot fungus, ulcers or cellulitis if left untreated for a very long time and can be passed to other body parts like groin, back of the knee, skin and hands.
Since fungal infection can spread to genitals of both men and women to cause jock itch by contaminating the underwear when it passes the infected nail,
you are advised to wear the socks first before you wear your underwear.
Wearing a closed shoe the whole day with an infected nail you are likely to get toe nails problem transmitted to other nails because it thrives in dark, warm and moist environment.
It is clear that to avoid transmission to other body parts you need to treat the infection as early as possible…
because it is when the infection is severe that you are at risk of toe nails problem spreading to other parts.
Bear in mind that people with diabetes and Hiv are at high risk due to weak immune system.
Fever, fatigue and flu-like symptoms are experienced when the fungal organism has entered the the bloodstream.
Can It Spread To Bone?
Severe nail fungal infection can cause more serious complications due to infection of the bone[rare occurrence]. Acute pain in a specific bone with overlying red skin, fatigue and fever may be symptoms of infection of the bone.
Is Toenail Fungus Contagious To Fingernails?
Yes it is, but this happens when onychomycosis is left untreated for a very long time…
The toenails problem multiplies in numbers and starts to spread to other body parts and cause athlete’s foot through contamination of personal items we use like towels, clothes and even clippers.
Bloodstream can also transmit fungal organism to fingernail more especially when you are suffering from weak immune system.
Direct contact to a person infected with fungal infections will only be a risk when you have a cut on the skin around your fingernail because it will penetrate to nail bed.
Check out the best way to prevent the spread of nail fungus
Is It Contagious In A Pool?
Can You Get Toenail Fungus From A Swimming Pool?
Yes and No, it depends on the pool water if chlorinated or not, because these days it is common to find chlorine-free pools at health clubs and swimming pools so before you jump in make sure it is the right pool water.
It is not recommended to swim in chlorine free water pool when you have toenail fungus.
Does Pool Chlorine Kill Toe fungal infections?
Chlorine and other harsh chemicals are used in swimming pools to control and stop transmission of infections,
these chemicals are strong for microorganisms that are causing infections to survive inside the water and this prevents pool users for contacting the infection.
Is A Swimming Pool Good For Toenail Fungus?
There are known cases of people who reported tremendous improvements with regards to toenail infection after having regular swimming sessions for a long time.
even though you can not be infected in the chlorinated water that does not mean you are safe at the swimming pool.
You are advised to wear swim socks that can help you stop spreading toenail fungus or help you avoid being contaminated with fungal infections on the nail bed.
It is advisable to take precautionary measures when you are at the lockers, public showers or at the side of the pool by wearing flip flops or disposable foot covers to prevent foot fungus.
After taking a bath at public showers, dry your feed thoroughly and avoid sharing a towel with anyone and when you put your shoes on don’t put your bare feet on the floor or on the bench.
Is Toenail Fungus Contagious Through Nail Polish?
Can Infection Spread Through Nail Varnish?
Big NO, Nail lacquer is made of harsh chemicals like toluene, butyl acetate, ethyl acetate, isopropyl alcohol, tosylamide/formaldehyde that are toxic to microogarnisms like bacteria , virus and fungus.
It will be impossible for fungal organism to survive inside the nail lacquer, because the environment is not suitable for fungus to thrive and multiply inside the container.
Remember that fungal growth happens on damp, dark and wet conditions.
It clearly means you wont be infected by nail varnish in salons even if it was used by affected person provided you disinfected the tools that you use for treatment.
Check out the best way to prevent the spread of nail fungus
Can You Get Toenail Fungus From A Nail Salon?
Do not forget that you are at risk at the salons because of fungus spreading via towels, tools and hands of stylists,
always take your personal stuff to pedicure salon or ask them to sterilize their tools before using them.
Can I Wear Nail Polish If I Have Toenail Fungus?
Are you aware that using nail lacquer on the fingernail will worsen the condition because it will make it difficult for it to breathe.
In the process of trimming and cutting fingernail make sure you do not cut skin around your nails because that might increase the chances of getting infected.
Is Toenail Fungus Contagious Wiki ?
I researched onychomycosis in wiki to check what it says about toenail fungus being contagious and I didn’t get anything related to that.
I believe this is the best article so far about this topic.
Conclusion…
If getting rid of nail infection is one of your objectives we recommend coconut oil for nail fungal infection for those people who who prefer home remedies and zane hellas fungus stop for people who want results fast.
If you need antifungal treatment that delivers the results you want [clear, smooth and healthy] , without further a do go to review of zetaclear to learn more about how to get rid of onychomycosis.
Nail fungus left untreated can lead to fungus spreading rapidly to foot, skin and entering the bloodstream to cause more trouble to the body.
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