CHILDREN are not always the model of cleanliness.

Fungal infections among school children is common  especially  older kids who sweat a lot and use school locker rooms for gym or walk back home in flooded streets. Children have thinner fingernails and toenails than adults. A vaporub can be applied for treatment of fungus. However, the vaporub treatment is not applicable to adults.

Some extra-strength anti-fungal medications are often not appropriate for children because these medications may come with some very serious side effects. Liver damage is one of the biggest side effects. If your child comes home with nail fungus, try a home remedy treatment instead of extra-strength medication.

Now is also the time to teach your teen or child about safe practices when it comes to the feet. If your child uses the school locker room, he or she should know that wearing flip-flops or sandals should be a common practice.

Walking around in bare feet can wreak havoc when it comes to contracting athlete’s foot and nail fungus. Children should also practice bringing home drench clothes or sports wear for immediate laundry and the shoes as well for airing out. Also consider disinfecting all footwear each time it is used. This is a great way to stop the spread of infection.

Use onion and garlic paste on the infected skin and wash it off after about an hour or so. Onion and garlic are known to have anti-fungal properties and are popular remedies for infections.

Soak a cotton ball in tea tree oil and rub it on the infected skin. You can also use apple cider vinegar, dilute hydrogen peroxide solution, or alcohol in a similar manner on the infection.

Sprinkle boric powder and baking soda on the infected skin before wearing socks and shoes. These powders will help absorb moisture and fight of the fungal infection. At the end of the day, remove the shoes and soak the feet in an Epsom water solution for half an hour.

Through these remedies, one should also learn the preventive steps to minimize the risk of continued infection. Maintain proper hygiene on feet – clean your feet every day after coming home, preferably with antiseptic soap water.

After washing the  feet, wipe them dry. Keep at least two pairs of shoes to wear alternatively so that the shoes get a chance to dry up and air out. Keep multiple pairs of socks and always wear a clean pairs of socks. Do not share shoes or socks – fungal infections are contagious and can spread through human contact.

If the infection has spread, you may have to consult a dermatologist and undergo medical treatment.