Everyone’s feet have fungus or mycobacterium. If there is any damaged skin when the nail is injured or the skin is broken, the conditions on the feet and nails are ideal for mycobacterium to thrive…moist, dark, warm. The other “bugs” that keep the mycobacterium in check don’t like those conditions. This results in the nail fungus bugs having the perfect place to grow with no competition. = fungal nail infection. Some people are more susceptible to foot and nail infections than others.

The “bugs” that cause fungal nails reproduce themselves very slowly, That is why it takes so long for them to all be killed off. You have to keep hitting them over and over when they are vulnerable. It takes several months…and then one or two might remain behind,.,so a while after stopping the symptoms return.

To completely treat fungus you must be sure socks are changed frequently, be sure you are not re-infecting with your shoes…treat them by washing and drying in the sun( sun is deadly to those bugs) or with antifungal spray and dry. Don’t wear the same shoes every day if you can help it…let the shoes dry out completely between wearing.

I would caution against using Clorox on the skin since it is excessively drying and can cause skin to crack—another opening for bacteria and fungus to take hold. If you have diabetes or poor circulation DO NOT try any remedy without your doctor or nurse practitioner’s direct supervision. Any small injury can lead to amputation…really.

Trying Tea Tree oil or Vicks is not terribly risky unless you are allergic to them. The oral meds have to be taken for a long time—because it takes a long time to kill the mycobacterium—but they are usually effective. They are hard on the liver and a person must be watched closely by their care provider. Which ever treatment you choose, be sure you don’t re-infect with your old shoes or slippers or from the environment.