Fungal infections are quite common and also difficult to treat. The best protection from fungal infections is to prevent them. Consult your doctor if you have recurring yeast infections or are concerned that your current yeast infection is spreading. If you want to know how to protect yourself and others, there are some simple steps you can take to prevent the spread of yeast infections.
Step
Method 1 of 5: Preventing the Spread of Fungal Infections
Step 1. Wash your hands frequently
Frequent hand washing is one of the best ways to stop the spread of fungal infections. Be sure to wash your hands after touching a yeast infection or after touching an object or surface that may be infected. For example, after using the equipment at the gym, you should wash your hands immediately.
Step 2. Stay away from public places
If you are infected with a fungus, you should stay away from public places that increase your chances of spreading the infection. For example, you are more likely to spread a yeast infection if you visit a gym or swim in a public swimming pool because these infections are spread by direct contact. So, if you are infected with a fungus, avoid public places that allow the spread of your yeast infection to others.
Don't visit gyms, public swimming pools, or public baths until your infection has cleared
Step 3. Wear shoes everywhere you go
Walking barefoot can give you a yeast infection, so wearing shoes is a great way to protect yourself. If you have a fungal infection on the soles of your feet, walking barefoot also increases the chances of spreading the infection you carry.
Be sure to always wear footwear in public places, especially in places like locker rooms where people often walk barefoot
Step 4. Tell your boss at work if you have a yeast infection
Certain jobs require you to have a lot of direct contact with other people, and this puts other people at risk of catching a yeast infection from you. If your job requires you to be in direct contact with other people, such as a nurse, for example, you should tell your boss at work about your yeast infection.
Step 5. Use your own personal equipment
Do not share any personal equipment with other people, whether or not you have a yeast infection. Fungal infections are spread by touch, so sharing personal equipment with other people increases the risk of spreading fungal spores. While it may seem like a good practice to lend equipment to someone else, it can increase the risk of spreading and transmitting fungal infections.
Do not lend personal items such as clothes, towels, socks, make-up, deodorant, or anything else you wear to someone else
Step 6. Cover the part that is infected with the fungus
If you have a yeast infection, you should cover it up before going out in public. Accidentally touching the infected area to another person can cause the infection to spread. So, cover the infected area while in public until it heals.
- You don't have to take kids out of school when they get mold. However, you should close the infected area and report the problem to the school.
- Do not cover the infected area too tightly. It should be kept cool and dry during the treatment of fungal infections.
Method 2 of 5: Preventing Athlete's Foot Disease
Step 1. Only wear your own towels, shoes and socks
Sharing towels, shoes, and socks with other people can increase your chances of transmitting or contracting athlete's foot. So, do not borrow or lend these items to others.
Step 2. Change your sheets and socks every day
The fungus that causes athlete's foot can spread to sheets and socks, and multiply there. To prevent athlete's foot from getting worse or spreading to the other foot, change your sheets and socks every day until the disease is cured.
You should also replace socks that are wet with sweat as this increases the chances of spreading athlete's foot
Step 3. Keep the soles of the feet dry
The fungus that causes athlete's foot thrives in damp, wet environments. So, the condition of the feet that remain dry will make it difficult for infections to attack you. Take the following steps to keep your feet dry and prevent athlete's foot:
- If you live at home and no one you live with has athlete's foot or another fungal infection, you can go barefoot at home to keep your feet cool and dry.
- If your socks are wet or damp with sweat, you should change them immediately.
- Always dry your feet thoroughly after washing them.
Step 4. Put on shoes that fit
Your shoes play an important role in preventing athlete's foot. Choosing shoes that keep your feet dry and clean can reduce your chances of getting athlete's foot. Keep these tips in mind when buying shoes:
- Prepare more than 1 pair of shoes. Try to wear different shoes each day so your shoes can dry between uses. You can also sprinkle talcum powder inside your shoes to absorb the moisture.
- Look for shoes that allow air to flow up to the soles of your feet. This airflow will help keep your feet dry and reduce your risk of developing athlete's foot.
- Do not share shoes with other people. Wearing shoes together increases your risk of contracting or transmitting athlete's foot.
- Avoid shoes that are too small because they can make your feet sweat even more.
Step 5. Wear shoes while in public
Wear protective footwear when in public. Walking barefoot in public will increase your chances of getting athlete's foot and possibly other diseases.
- Always wear slippers or flip-flops if you use a public bathroom.
- You should also always wear footwear while in the gym.
- Wear water shoes while in public swimming pools.
- It's okay to go barefoot at home as long as no one in the house has athlete's foot.
Step 6. Take care of your feet
One of the steps to prevent disease is to keep your feet dry, cool, and clean. To help achieve this, you can sprinkle various powders on the soles of your feet to keep them dry and clean, thereby preventing fungal infections that cause athlete's foot.
- An antifungal powder can help keep feet cool and treat athlete's foot.
- Talc powder can be used to reduce perspiration and keep feet dry.
Method 3 of 5: Prevent Nail Fungus
Step 1. Protect yourself from toenail fungus during salon treatments
A quality salon cleans its equipment well to protect its customers and employees from skin infections. However, you may still catch the infection from such a salon. There are several things you should pay attention to before undergoing toenail and hand nail treatments at the salon.
- Make sure the salon you visit has a business license from the local health department.
- Ask how the nail care kit is cleaned between uses. Nail care equipment must be cleaned at high temperature using an autoclave to kill all bacteria and germs. While other methods are not quite effective.
- Never undergo treatment for your fingernails and toenails at a salon when you are infected with toenail fungus because this infection can be transmitted to the employees who serve you.
- Tell your staff not to push or cut nail cuticles as this can increase the risk of infection.
- Wash your hands before treatment and ask the staff who serve you to do the same. Employees who provide nail care must also wear gloves.
- Ask for a nail bath to be coated with a protective coating, or bring your own if the salon doesn't provide one.
Step 2. Get used to living clean
By getting used to living clean, you can avoid fungal nail infections. Keeping your hands and feet clean and dry is a simple way to prevent your nails from becoming infected with fungus.
- Trim your fingernails and keep them dry.
- Wash your hands and feet regularly.
- As long as your nails are infected, don't touch anything after touching your nails as this can spread the fungus that causes it.
Step 3. Take good care of your feet
The soles of the feet often have to deal with conditions that are more at risk for fungal nail infections. Shoes and socks create moist and warm conditions, and these conditions are necessary for mold growth. Take the following steps to prevent toenail fungus.
- Wear shoes that allow air to flow.
- Don't wear socks that cause your feet to sweat. Look for socks made of bamboo fiber or polypropylene, and avoid cotton.
- Change your socks often.
- Do not share shoes and socks with anyone.
- Change the shoes you wear every day.
- Wash the socks with warm soapy water or hot water.
Step 4. Take care of your nails
Damaged toenails and nail beds can be an entry point for nail fungus. By taking care of your nails, and protecting the damage around them, you can prevent infection from approaching.
- Do not pick or bite your nails.
- Treat cuts or cuts around the nails.
Step 5. Reduce the use of nail polish
The use of nail polish or artificial nails can increase the risk of fungal infections. Polishing your nails can trap moisture and fungal spores under your nails, which can lead to infection. Try to reduce the use of nail polish to reduce this risk.
Don't cover the nail fungus with polish, as this will make the infection worse
Method 4 of 5: Preventing Yeast Infections
Step 1. Use protection during oral sex
While vaginal intercourse rarely causes the transmission of a yeast infection from one person to another, oral sex can cause a yeast infection. Women can become infected with yeast after oral sex due to the presence of yeast in saliva.
To reduce this risk, use a protective layer of plastic or dental dam during oral sex
Step 2. Wear loose-fitting underwear and pants
Tight synthetic underwear and pants can increase your risk of yeast infection. To reduce this risk, only wear loose-fitting natural fiber underwear and pants. For example, choose cotton underwear that is comfortable to wear rather than tight synthetic underwear.
- Wash undergarments with warm water and soap because washing them in cold water does not remove or kill yeast.
- Don't wear stockings. Stockings can also increase the risk of yeast infection.
Step 3. Change wet underwear and pants
Wet conditions can increase the risk of yeast infection, so be sure to keep the vaginal area dry. If your clothes get wet, for example after exercising or swimming, change your clothes immediately. Then, put on dry clothes and underwear.
Step 4. Wash from front to back
Women who want to prevent yeast infections should wash from front to back. Washing from front to back can reduce the chances of spreading bacteria from the anus to the vagina which can lead to yeast infections.
Step 5. Deal with stress
Stress can increase your chances of getting yeast infection, so be sure to look for ways to reduce it. Regular exercise, getting enough sleep, and using relaxation techniques can help you manage stress.
Some helpful stress relief techniques include yoga, deep breathing, and meditation
Method 5 of 5: Preventing Ringworm
Step 1. Know the risk factors
Ringworm is not very common, and the greatest risk is being around infected people or animals (ringworm can infect both humans and animals). Ringworm can be spread by touch, so you are also likely to be infected with this disease. Ringworm is most common in school-age children because outbreaks of ringworm usually occur in schools and daycare centers.
- Only carry animals you know, and occasionally check them for ringworm.
- Do not handle wild or stray animals as they may carry many diseases, including ringworm.
- Check your pet for ringworm. Ringworm can be in the form of bald body parts with reddened skin.
- Sometimes pets are asymptomatic, so wash your hands after every handling.
- Ask your vet to check your pet for ringworm if you suspect it.
Step 2. Wash your hair regularly
Ringworm that attacks the scalp is difficult to treat. A simple way that you can use to prevent ringworm on the scalp is to wash your hair regularly, about every 2 days. By keeping your scalp clean, you can reduce your chances of getting ringworm.
- Wash your hair thoroughly by massaging the shampoo into your scalp.
- Avoid sharing hats or hair tools with others.
- Use an anti-dandruff shampoo if your hair is prone to dandruff.
- While some people's scalps are resistant to daily washing, in most people this can dry out the scalp and actually increase the risk of infection. You may find it better to wash your hair every day, but pay attention to the dryness of your scalp.
Step 3. Shower regularly and keep your body clean
Ringworm is transmitted by touch, and the disease is highly contagious. Cleaning your body with soap and water will help remove any fungal spores that have come into contact with your body. By keeping your body clean, you can reduce your chances of contracting ringworm.
- Take regular baths and clean your entire body.
- Wash your hands throughout the day to keep them clean.
- Always dry your body after cleaning it.
Step 4. Keep hands away from the infected area
Do not scratch or touch the infected area. While you may be tempted to scratch it, try to avoid this action. Scratching the infected area can trigger the spread of ringworm to other parts of the body, and even to other people. So, limit the scope of infection by not touching it.
- Do not give personal items such as clothes or combs to others.
- Always wash your hands after touching the infected area. Touching that part and then touching other parts of the body can spread the infection.
