If you’re undergoing treatment for fungal toenails (onychomycosis), it’s essential to take daily home care measures to support healing and prevent reinfection. While oral medications, prescription topicals, and laser therapy help eliminate the infection, your foot hygiene and environment play a huge role in ensuring successful treatment and long-term prevention.
In this post, we’ll cover the best home care practices to boost nail health, minimize reinfection risk, and support nail regrowth, including:
✔ Wearing antifungal socks (copper or bamboo)
✔ Controlling sweating & moisture
✔ Using hypochlorous acid (HOCl) spray daily
✔ Sanitizing shoes to eliminate fungal spores
✔ Taking collagen & biotin supplements (we recommend EBL-1 from EBM)
1. Wear Copper or Bamboo Socks for Antifungal Protection
Not all socks are created equal! Regular cotton socks trap moisture, creating the perfect breeding ground for fungus. Instead, switch to antimicrobial socks made from:
Copper-infused fabric – Naturally kills bacteria and fungi, reducing odor and infection risk.
Bamboo fabric – Moisture-wicking, breathable, and naturally antibacterial, keeping feet dry and fresh.
Best Practices:
Wear a fresh pair daily (or change mid-day if your feet sweat heavily).
Wash socks in hot water to kill fungal spores.
Avoid synthetic socks that trap sweat and heat.
2. Manage Foot Sweating with a Topical Antiperspirant
Fungus thrives in a warm, moist environment, so if you have sweaty feet (hyperhidrosis), it’s important to control moisture.
How to Keep Feet Dry:
✔ Use a topical antiperspirant on your feet (such as Certain Dri or Carpe) to reduce sweating.
✔ Apply antifungal powder to your feet and inside your shoes to absorb excess moisture.
✔ Let feet air out whenever possible—avoid keeping damp socks/shoes on all day.
If you struggle with excessive foot sweating, controlling moisture significantly improves fungal nail treatment outcomes.
3. Spray Your Feet Daily with Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl) for Antifungal Protection
A key step in your home care routine is spraying your feet daily with hypochlorous acid (HOCl).
Kills fungus, bacteria, and other microbes
Safe for daily use with no irritation
Reduces odor and risk of reinfection
We recommend using Lighthouse Daily Defense HOCl Spray to keep your feet and nails clean, fresh, and protected while undergoing fungal nail treatment.
How to Use HOCl Spray:
Spray directly onto your feet and nails daily after showering.
Let it air dry before putting on socks or shoes.
Can also be used on athlete’s foot, minor cuts, and skin irritations.
HOCl is a game changer for preventing fungal regrowth and maintaining overall foot hygiene.
4. Sanitize Your Shoes to Eliminate Fungus & Prevent Reinfection
Your shoes can be a hidden source of reinfection, as fungal spores linger inside and thrive in dark, warm environments.
How to Keep Shoes Fungus-Free:
✔ Use an antifungal shoe spray (like Lysol, 10 Seconds, or Clear Gear) daily inside your shoes.
✔ Try a UV shoe sanitizer (like SteriShoe) to kill fungal spores with ultraviolet light.
✔ Rotate your shoes – Don’t wear the same pair every day; give them time to fully dry out.
✔ Wash insoles and replace old shoes if they smell bad or show signs of fungal growth.
Sanitizing your shoes prevents reinfection and helps fungal treatment work more effectively.
5. Support Healthy Nail Regrowth with Collagen & Biotin Supplements
Since fungal infections damage the nail, proper nutrition is essential for regrowing strong, healthy nails.
We recommend EBL-1 from EBM, a high-quality collagen and biotin supplement designed for nail and skin health.
Why Take Collagen & Biotin?
Collagen strengthens the nail structure and promotes faster regrowth.
Biotin (Vitamin B7) improves nail thickness and reduces brittleness.
Supports overall foot and skin health, especially after fungal infections.
How to Take It:
Take EBL-1 daily for optimal nail regrowth while undergoing treatment.
Stay consistent—nails grow slowly, and results can take 12-24 months.
Collagen and biotin supplementation speed up healing, making your nails stronger and more resistant to future infections.
Final Thoughts: A Complete Home Care Plan for Fungal Nail Recovery
Treating fungal toenails requires patience and consistency, but with the right home care routine, you can boost your treatment success and prevent reinfection.
Your Daily Fungal Nail Home Care Checklist:
Wear copper or bamboo socks to keep feet dry and prevent fungal growth.
Apply a topical antiperspirant to control foot sweating.
Spray feet with HOCl daily to kill fungus and bacteria. (Try Lighthouse Daily Defense HOCl Spray!)
Sanitize shoes regularly with antifungal sprays or UV light.
Take collagen & biotin (EBL-1 from EBM) to support strong, healthy nail regrowth.
By following these steps, you’ll enhance your treatment results and keep your nails and feet healthy for the long term.
Need Professional Treatment for Fungal Toenails? We Can Help!
At Lighthouse Foot and Ankle Center, we offer a comprehensive approach to treating fungal nails, including:
✔ Oral and topical antifungal treatments
✔ Laser therapy for fungal toenail infections
✔ Preventive foot care guidance
📍 23 Spring St. Suite B, Scarborough, Maine 04074
📞 207-774-0028
🌐 www.lighthousefootandankle.com
Don’t wait—start your fungal nail treatment today and take control of your foot health!