Nails can dry out, just like skin. They can also peel, break and be infected. Toe infections, for instance, can be caused or exacerbated by:

• dirty socks,


• specific types of aggressive exercise,


• tight footwear, and


• walking unprotected in an unclean environment.

Fungal infection of the toenails and fingernails is referred to as onychomycosis. It appears as white or yellowed nails that may be thickened and brittle. One or more nails may be involved, and different parts of a nail may be affected. Toenails are the most vulnerable to fungal infection because shoes and socks trap moisture that promotes the growth of fungi. If left untreated, onychomycosis can lead to permanent nail damage.

Onychomycosis is difficult to treat, and recurrence is common.  Most antifungal creams and ointments are not every effective because they cannot penetrate the hard nail in sufficient concentration to kill the fungi.  There are, however, some formulations specifically designed to penetrate the nail.

If the fungal infections have already reached the nail bed (the place where the nail starts growing), oral antifungal medications may be prescribed. These can reach the nail bed through the blood. If a nail is badly damaged, nail removal may be recommended.

Manicures and pedicures are health and cosmetic procedures to groom, trim and paint the nails and manage calluses. They require various tools such as cuticle scissors, nail scissors, nail clippers, and nail files. Artificial nails can also be appended onto real nails for cosmetic purposes. The nails can improve their condition, in terms of hardness and nutrition, if they have contact with minerals.

Nail tools used by different people may transmit infections and may spread nail fungi, staph bacteria or viruses.  Footbath in some salons and nail bars may can be a source bacterial skin infections. To avoid this, new improved contactless tools such as  gel and cream cuticle removers instead of cuticle scissors are used in Invigor8 clinic.

Follow these steps to care for your nails and avoid fungal infection:

• Practice good hygiene and keep hands and feet clean.


• Keep your skin dry, especially between the toes.


• Wear shower sandals in damp public places, such as swimming pools and locker rooms.


• Keep your nails trimmed and clean.


• Wear well-ventilated shoes, and change socks regularly, especially after exercise.


• Wear rubber gloves when washing dishes or doing other housework that could overexpose your hands to moisture.


• Sterilize any instruments you use on your nails before and after every use. This includes nail clippers and any instruments used in manicures or pedicures. 


• Wash your hands after touching an infected nail.

Invigor8 provides the following advice on skin concerns for general information purposes only.  In following the information provided in these pages, audiences accept that this does not replace in-clinic consultation, analysis and recommendation.  Contact us to book an appointment with one of our Paramedical Skin Technicians.