Toenail fungus — clinically known as onychomycosis — affects approximately 10% of Australians. It is one of the most common nail conditions we treat at ModPod Podiatry, and one of the most persistent. The infection is slow to develop, slow to clear, and prone to returning if the habits that enabled it do not change.
If you want to know how to prevent toenail fungus, the answer involves a combination of daily hygiene, smart footwear choices, careful nail care, and knowing when to seek professional attention. This guide covers each of these areas in practical detail, drawing on what we see across our Sydney clinics every week.
How Toenail Fungus Develops
Onychomycosis is caused by dermatophytes — a group of fungi that feed on keratin, the protein that makes up your nails and skin. Less commonly, moulds and yeasts are responsible. The fungi thrive in warm, moist environments: communal showers, swimming pools, locker rooms, and the inside of enclosed shoes.
Infection typically begins at the nail’s free edge or through a small break in the surrounding skin. It progresses slowly — sometimes over months — before the nail becomes visibly thickened, discoloured, or crumbly. Understanding how toenail fungus spreads is an important first step in preventing it from affecting multiple nails or other people in your household.
Risk factors include age (prevalence increases significantly after 60), diabetes, reduced circulation, immune suppression, and a prior history of tinea pedis. Tight footwear and regular use of communal facilities also increase exposure considerably.
Gym and Pool Hygiene: Your First Line of Defence
Communal wet areas are the most common source of fungal exposure in Australia. Changing rooms, pool decks, and shared showers are environments where dermatophytes are routinely present on surfaces. A few straightforward habits reduce your risk substantially.
Always Wear Thongs in Communal Areas
Wearing thongs or waterproof sandals in communal showers, changing rooms, and around pool decks creates a physical barrier between your feet and contaminated surfaces. Do not walk barefoot in these environments — even briefly. Keep a dedicated pair of shower thongs in your gym bag so the habit is easy to maintain.
Dry Your Feet Thoroughly After Each Wash
After showering or swimming, dry your feet carefully — including between each toe. Moisture trapped between the toes creates ideal conditions for fungal growth. Pat the skin dry rather than rubbing, and allow your feet to air for a few minutes before putting on socks and shoes. A small towel kept specifically for your feet is a practical measure.
Antifungal Powders and Sprays
Antifungal powders applied to the feet and inside shoes after communal exposure reduce the fungal load and manage moisture. These are available over the counter at most Australian pharmacies. They are not a replacement for thorough drying, but they are a useful supplementary step — particularly for people who use gyms or pools several times a week.
Footwear Choices That Reduce Your Risk
Your shoes create the environment your feet live in for most of the day. Poor footwear choices — particularly shoes that are too tight or made from non-breathable materials — increase nail microtrauma (small repetitive injuries to the nail bed) and moisture retention, both of which make fungal colonisation more likely.
Choose Breathable Materials
Leather, canvas, and mesh uppers allow air circulation around the foot. Synthetic materials trap heat and moisture. If you spend long hours on your feet or exercise regularly, the material of your shoe matters. For athletic use, look for technical mesh uppers and moisture-wicking insoles.
Correct Fit Matters
Shoes that are too short or too narrow cause repeated minor trauma to the nail bed, which compromises the nail’s natural barrier against infection. There should be approximately a thumb’s width between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. If you are unsure about fit, our podiatrists can assess your footwear as part of a general podiatry consultation at any of our Sydney locations.
Moisture-Wicking Socks
Cotton socks retain moisture against the skin. Wool or synthetic moisture-wicking socks draw sweat away from the skin and dry more quickly. If your feet perspire during the day, consider changing socks mid-afternoon. Wet socks are a risk factor that most people overlook entirely.
Nail Care Habits That Prevent Fungal Nail Infection
How you cut and care for your nails directly affects your fungal nail prevention. Incorrect nail cutting technique is one of the more common contributors to nail damage that we see clinically — and a damaged nail plate is more susceptible to infection.
- Cut straight across — not curved, and not too short. Cutting too deep or rounding the edges increases the risk of ingrown nails and microtrauma to the nail bed.
- Use clean, dry nail clippers — and never share them. Fungal spores transfer readily on nail instruments.
- Inspect your nails regularly — look for early signs of infection: white or yellow discolouration beginning at the free edge, mild thickening, or a subtle change in surface texture. Early detection makes a significant difference to how long treatment takes.
- Do not cover discolouration with nail polish — polish traps moisture and delays diagnosis. If you notice a change in nail colour, have it assessed rather than concealed.
Nail Salon Risks: What You Should Know
Nail salons are a common but under-acknowledged source of toenail fungus transmission in Australia. The risk comes from shared implements — files, cuticle tools, and clippers — that are not sterilised to clinical standards between clients. Inadequate sterilisation allows fungal spores to transfer from one client’s nails directly to the next.
If you visit nail salons, look for salons that autoclave their metal instruments (ask directly — a reputable salon will answer without hesitation) and use single-use files and buffers for each client. Avoid having your nails trimmed immediately before a pedicure, as freshly cut skin is more porous and susceptible to infection.
A Clinical Alternative: The Medical Pedicure
A medical pedicure at ModPod Podiatry uses clinical-grade sterilisation on all instruments between every patient. Our podiatrists assess your nail health as part of the treatment — not just the cosmetic appearance of your nails. If early signs of onychomycosis are present, we identify them during the appointment and discuss management options before the infection establishes more deeply in the nail plate. This is one of the key differences between a medical pedicure and a standard nail salon visit.
Treat Athlete’s Foot Early
Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) is a fungal skin infection caused by the same dermatophytes responsible for onychomycosis. Left untreated, it frequently spreads from the surrounding skin into the nail plate — which is substantially harder to treat once established. If you develop scaling, itching, or redness between your toes or on the sole of your foot, treat it promptly with an antifungal cream. If over-the-counter treatment does not resolve the infection within two to three weeks, see a podiatrist. Our athlete’s foot treatment page has more detail on when to seek professional care.
Additional Toenail Fungus Hygiene Habits
- Never share shoes, socks, or nail clippers with other people — this is one of the most direct transmission routes.
- Rotate your footwear to allow shoes to dry out fully between uses — most people wear the same pair of shoes daily, which maintains a persistently moist environment inside.
- Replace old trainers regularly — the interior of worn athletic shoes can harbour significant fungal load even after washing.
- Manage underlying health conditions — people with diabetes or peripheral vascular disease are at substantially higher risk of fungal nail infection and its complications. Annual foot health checks are recommended.
Medicare and Health Fund Coverage in Australia
If you have diabetes, you may be eligible for podiatry services under a GP-referred Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) plan, which provides a Medicare rebate on up to five allied health visits per calendar year. Fungal nail assessment and treatment can be incorporated into these appointments. For patients without diabetes, private health insurance Extras cover — available through funds including Medibank, BUPA, HCF, and NIB — typically provides a rebate on podiatry consultations. Rebate amounts vary by fund and level of cover; check directly with your insurer before your appointment.
If you have already developed a fungal nail infection, fungal nail laser treatment is available at ModPod Podiatry and is one of the more effective options for established onychomycosis, particularly where topical treatments have not produced a satisfactory result.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I stop toenail fungus from spreading?
A: Begin antifungal treatment as soon as possible and maintain strict hygiene. Keep nails trimmed and dry. Avoid walking barefoot in shared areas and do not share nail clippers, towels, or footwear. Treat athlete’s foot promptly — it is the most common pathway for fungal spread into the nail plate.
Q: Can you get toenail fungus from a nail salon?
A: Yes. Inadequately sterilised nail instruments are a recognised transmission route for dermatophytes. If a salon is not autoclaving its metal implements and using single-use files, fungal spores can transfer between clients. A medical pedicure at a podiatry clinic uses clinical sterilisation standards and eliminates this risk entirely.
Q: Does nail polish cause toenail fungus?
A: Nail polish does not cause toenail fungus directly, but it creates conditions that favour fungal growth by trapping moisture and reducing oxygen exposure to the nail plate. Wearing polish continuously — particularly gel or acrylic applications — is associated with higher rates of fungal nail infection. It also conceals early signs of infection, which delays diagnosis and treatment.
Q: How do I keep my feet fungus-free at the gym?
A: Always wear thongs in communal showers and changing rooms. Dry your feet thoroughly after washing, paying attention to the spaces between your toes. Apply an antifungal powder to your feet and inside your gym shoes. Rotate your trainers so they dry completely between sessions, and inspect your nails regularly for early signs of change.
Q: When should I see a podiatrist about my toenails?
A: See a podiatrist if you notice discolouration (white, yellow, or brown patches), thickening of the nail, crumbling at the free edge, or any change in texture. Early-stage onychomycosis responds to treatment more readily than established infection. Do not wait until the nail is significantly changed — by that point, treatment takes considerably longer and outcomes are less predictable.
Book a Nail Assessment at ModPod Podiatry
If you have noticed early changes to your toenails, or you want a professional assessment of your nail health, our team at ModPod Podiatry is available across five Sydney clinic locations: CBD, Mosman, Dee Why, Rose Bay, and North Ryde. With over 20 years of experience treating fungal nail infections and associated conditions, we provide clear diagnoses and practical treatment plans.
Early assessment gives you the best chance of a straightforward outcome. Book online to arrange a nail assessment at the clinic most convenient to you.
