After being treated with antifungal drugs, preventative measures should be taken to prevent reoccurrence. These measures include topical antifungal treatments and removing any other potential sources of infection.
Although the nail may appear healthy, the fungus may not be fully eradicated. For that reason, antifungal creams are recommended to be applied to the affected nail to prevent further fungal growth.[1]
It is also recommended to either throw away or disinfect footwear and socks. Be sure to wash socks in hot water. Proper disinfection is important, as cold water washes have been shown to be ineffective in eradicating the fungus that causes nail fungus.[2] To disinfect shoes, treatments include terbinafine spray, ozone gas, or ultraviolet light.[3][4][5]
Other preventative actions include keeping nails cold and dry, avoiding walking barefoot in public places, keeping nails short, treating other family members with nail fungus, and meticulous nail hygiene.[6]