Although fungal infections vary in terms of contagiousness, we should all seek to keep them out of our homes. In addition to acting as a source of stress and inconvenience for ourselves and our loved ones, fungal infections can be extremely resilient. And if proper measures aren’t taken to treat and prevent them, they’re unlikely to go away. Luckily, keeping fungal infections out of your household is far from a daunting task.
While you may think towel-sharing is efficient and/or economical, it’s highly unsanitary and can result in the spread of fungal and staph infections. So, if any of the members of your household share towels, you’ll want to put a stop to this posthaste. By extension, you should avoid using any unwashed towels more than once. Again, you may think you’re being economical, but in actuality, you’re placing your health at risk and dramatically increasing your odds of developing a fungal infection.
Avoid Sharing Nail Clippers
Although many families don’t think twice about sharing nail clippers, such behavior can result in the spread of fingernail and toenail fungus. And as anyone who’s ever contended with nail fungus can attest, successfully treating this problem can take years. The deeper the infection, the more difficult treating it is likely to be, and in some cases, removal of the affected nail(s) is the only way to set things right.
With this in mind, make sure that every member of your household has their own nail clippers and that these clippers are replaced on a regular basis. Considering how inexpensive nail clippers are, this shouldn’t prove the least bit financially strenuous. Additionally, if you or any other member of your household suffers from nail fungus, make sure that the affected nail(s) are cut with separate clippers from the ones used on the unaffected nails.
Make Sure Everyone Embraces Proper Handwashing Practices
Handwashing is essential to preventing the spread of germs and fungal infections. However, even if you and the other members of your household think you’re engaging in proper handwashing practices, there’s a good chance this is a mistaken assumption. In order to enjoy the full benefits of handwashing, you’ll need to thoroughly scrub your hands with soap and warm water for a minimum of 20 seconds. Of course, if your hands have come into contact with a particularly germy item, surface or individual, it may be a good idea to scrub them for longer.
In addition to embracing proper handwashing practices, take care to instill them in any member of your household who seems befuddled by them. As countless parents can attest, getting children on board with handwashing can be an uphill battle. This is particularly true in the case of younger children, who are often unable to fully appreciate the harm not washing one’s hands can do. If this situation sounds familiar, do your best to educate your children on proper handwashing practices, as well as the many dangers improper handwashing can pose.
Furthermore, no member of your household should leave home without a travel-sized bottle of hand sanitizer on their person. Although soap-and-water washings are ideal, sanitizer is great to have on-hand for instances in which soap and water aren’t readily accessible.
Make Sure Existing Fungal Infections are Treated in a Timely Manner
In order to prevent the spread of fungal infections, you’ll need to ensure that existing infections are treated in a timely manner. Fortunately, many common fungal infections can be successfully treated with over-the-counter creams, sprays and powders. Should such solutions prove ineffective, you’ll need to reach out to a knowledgeable dermatologist. So, if you or anyone else in your household are currently dealing with athlete’s foot, jock itch, ringworm or any other type of fungal infection, make sure the problem is addressed sooner rather than later. Additionally, new parents looking to protect children from harmful bacteria should look into purchasing antimicrobial infant gear.
Although many of us seldom take the time to consider the threat they pose, fungal infections can spread through the average household like wildfire. A single unchecked, untreated infection stands to cause both you and everyone with whom you cohabitate considerable discomfort and inconvenience. That being the case, taking preventative measures against fungal infections should be among the top priorities of every household. Fortunately, keeping fungal infections at bay is much easier than some households make it look. With the help of the pointers outlined above, you can effectively set the stage for a fungal infection-free home.
