Written by Jess, Advanced Foot Health Practitioner at We Fix Feet
Prevention is not a complicated undertaking. The habits that make a genuine difference to your risk of developing fungal nail infections and verrucas are mostly small, quick, and easy to work into an ordinary day. The challenge is knowing which ones actually matter because there is a lot of general foot advice out there that is not specific enough to be useful.
This article sets out the prevention strategies that we know, clinically, make a real difference. No padding, no long lists of things to memorise, just the practical steps that are worth doing, and why they work.
At communal facilities: gyms, pools and changing rooms
Always wear footwear on wet surfaces
This is the single most consistently effective prevention step for both conditions, and the one most often skipped. Changing room floors, pool surrounds and communal shower cubicles are where dermatophyte fungi and HPV are most concentrated. The surfaces are warm, reliably damp, and used by many bare feet.
A pair of flip-flops or shower sandals is an effective barrier. The key word is always not just when the floor looks wet, not just in the shower itself, but from the changing room to the pool and back, and while getting dressed. The brief moment between stepping out of the shower and putting on sandals is enough to make contact with a contaminated surface.
For children attending school swimming lessons, pack flip-flops in the kit bag. Communal changing rooms at leisure centres used for school groups are among the higher-risk environments for verruca transmission in particular.
Do not assume pool chlorine eliminates the risk
A common misconception is that the chlorine in swimming pools kills the viruses and fungi responsible for these conditions. It does not, at least not on the surfaces surrounding the pool. The pool water itself provides some protection, but the wet tiles, changing-room benches, and foot-washing areas around a pool are not treated with anything that offers meaningful protection against HPV or dermatophytes.
After swimming or bathing
Dry your feet thoroughly, between every toe
The skin between the toes is the starting point for athlete’s foot tinea pedis which is caused by the same family of fungi responsible for nail infections. Moist skin between the toes creates the ideal environment for those fungi to establish, and once athlete’s foot is present, the nail edge is the next stop.
Thorough drying between each toe, every time, takes less than 15 seconds. It is not a dramatic intervention. But it is one of the most effective steps in reducing the risk of athlete’s foot developing and subsequently spreading to the nails.
Use antifungal foot powder if your feet perspire
For people whose feet perspire significantly, particularly during sport or in enclosed footwear all day, an antifungal foot powder applied after drying provides an additional layer of protection. It absorbs residual moisture, creating a less hospitable environment for fungi throughout the day. This is particularly useful for gym-goers, athletes and anyone who spends long periods in trainers or boots.
Footwear management
Rotate your footwear
Enclosed footwear worn every day without a break never fully dries out internally. The warm, slightly damp environment inside a regularly worn trainer is a comfortable place for dermatophyte fungi to persist which is why wearing the same pair of shoes daily is a common factor in recurring fungal nail infections.
Rotating between two pairs of trainers, work shoes or casual footwear gives each pair a full day to air out between wears. It is a simple habit that removes one of the most consistent sources of reinfection.
Treat footwear if you have had a recent infection
If you have recently completed treatment for a fungal nail infection, the inside of your most-used footwear is worth treating with an antifungal spray. Fungal spores can survive in shoe linings for months, and re-wearing untreated footwear after clearance is one of the most common reasons the infection returns quickly. This step is something we flag with every patient at We Fix Feet who completes a course of laser fungal nail treatment.
Wear well-fitting shoes
Nails that are repeatedly traumatised by footwear that is too tight or too short are more susceptible to fungal infection. A small separation at the nail edge caused by the nail being repeatedly pressed against the front of a shoe creates a point of entry for fungal spores. This is particularly relevant in runners and in people who spend long hours on their feet in unsuitable footwear.
Nail care
Keep nails trimmed straight across and at a sensible length
Short, neatly trimmed nails have less surface area for fungal spores to settle and fewer opportunities for small separations at the nail edge. Cut straight across rather than in a curve; cutting down the sides of the nail increases the risk of ingrown toenails, which can create further breaks in the skin.
If cutting thick or suspect nails, use clean tools. Nail clippers can transfer fungal spores from one nail to another, or between people who share tools. If you use a nail salon, it is entirely reasonable to ask about their sterilisation process between clients.
Do not share nail tools
Clippers, files, cuticle pushers and emery boards can all carry fungal spores. This applies within households as well as in salon settings. Keep your own set, and do not share it.
Treating athlete’s foot promptly
Athlete’s foot that is present between the toes and not treated is a significant risk factor for fungal nail infection. The same dermatophytes cause both conditions, and untreated skin infection near the nail edge is an ongoing source of nail exposure.
Over-the-counter antifungal creams work well for athlete’s foot between the toes; they penetrate the skin effectively, even if they do not reach the nails. Use them as directed, complete the full course, and do not stop when symptoms improve; do so only when the skin is fully clear.
Covering verrucas in communal settings
If you or a family member has an active verruca, covering it before entering communal wet areas reduces the risk of transmitting it to others. A waterproof verruca sock or a simple waterproof plaster over the area is sufficient.
In a household where one person has a verruca, the bathroom floor and bath mat can serve as transmission routes to other family members. Wearing flip-flops around the house is a practical step during active treatment, and avoiding shared towels further reduces the risk.
Higher-risk groups
Some people have a greater susceptibility to both conditions and may benefit from more consistent application of these measures:
People with diabetes. Reduced circulation and altered immune response in the feet make both fungal nail infections and verrucas more likely to take hold, spread, and respond more slowly to treatment. Regular professional foot care is particularly worthwhile for this group, as explored in our diabetic footcare guidance.
Older adults. Natural changes in nail structure, reduced peripheral circulation, and prolonged wear of enclosed footwear all increase susceptibility. Routine podiatry appointments provide an opportunity to spot early changes before they become established.
Active children. School swimming, communal changing rooms, and barefoot play make children, particularly those between five and fifteen, among the highest-risk groups for verruca transmission.
If prevention was not enough
If you have noticed a change to a toenail or a hard patch appearing on the sole of your foot — even if you have been following reasonable preventive steps it is worth having it assessed. Both conditions are more straightforward to treat at an early stage, and a podiatry assessment will confirm what you are dealing with and outline a clear plan.
You can read more about how fungal nail treatment works and K-laser verruca treatment on our services pages. For a detailed look at costs, visit our pricing page or our Knowledge Centre article on treatment costs.
To book an appointment at Beeston or Ilkeston, click here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does wearing socks in communal areas protect against verrucas? Not reliably. Socks can become damp in communal shower areas and may not provide consistent contact prevention the way solid footwear does. Flip-flops or shower sandals are a more dependable barrier on wet surfaces.
Can I use the same antifungal cream for athlete’s foot and fungal nails? Antifungal creams treat skin infections effectively, but they do not penetrate the nail plate sufficiently to treat an established nail infection. Use them for athlete’s foot between the toes and if you also have a discoloured or thickened nail, get the nail assessed separately.
How often should I replace my trainers if I have had a fungal nail infection? Rather than replacing, treat the inside of footwear with an antifungal shoe spray during and after treatment. If footwear is very old and well-worn, replacement may be worth considering but regular use of antifungal spray in current footwear is sufficient in most cases.
Should I stop swimming if I have a verruca? You do not need to stop swimming, but you should cover the verruca with a waterproof plaster or verruca sock when using communal pools. This is both to protect others from transmission and to prevent the already-softened skin from becoming further compromised by prolonged water exposure.
