Who would have thought?: Swimming and toe nail fungus

15 Comments

Whenever I go to public swimming pools the chlorine, and whatever other chemicals are in the water, always seems to irritate me. If I don’t get red eyes during the swim then I’ll have runny eyes for hours afterwards, and sometimes a full blown hay-fever like reaction for more than a day. And swimming costumes rarely last too long (although I ought to try the chlorine resistant ones to see if they are any better!).

And despite all these chemicals myself (and my children who swim more regularly) still seem to come away with our fair share of hygiene issues – from ear infections, to verrucas or warts on the toes and feet. Flip flops are meant to help and ear plugs but somehow the problems persist.

Thus it was quite a surprise when I started swimming regularly (that means once most weeks in the summer and at least a few times already this autumn/winter!) and I found something positive about all those chemicals in the water. What can be positive about a load of chemicals that make swimming costumes disintegrate but which don’t kill the verrucas?

Well, there is something those chemicals are doing, which is having a more positive effect on a toe nail infection that I have been treating for years. After a few months of swimming I have actually seen the size of the infection shrink and new good nail grow! It is getting better!

There was a great question posted about toe nail fungus a while ago (see https://mouthsofmums.com.au/mom-answer/do-you-have-a-natural-topical-or-oral-treatment-for-toenail-fungus/ ) and I have tried the different remedies, including home-made soaking in vinegar, and various tinctures that are meant to help, but the problem has never quite gone away, until just recently when I added in the swimming.

A quick google showed me that other people had found something similar and were asking “can swimming pool water cure toenail infections?” because they had also experienced improvement in their conditions after regular swimming, although a few experiences suggested it might depend on the type of toe nail infection that was present

So who would have thought that toe nail fungus might be helped by regular exposure to chlorine disintegrating swimming pool water?! and those allergic reaction promoting chemical nasties had a positive side-effect after all!

Posted by mom176887, 3rd May 2016

15 Comments

- - mom468368 said
  - 25 Jul 2020
    7:09 pm
Good to read this, i wasn’t aware of such a connection.. i would like to suggest also some natural solutions like propolis, essential oils and Natural coniferous resin lacquer – found them here: http://www.fungusnailed.com/natural-therapies-for-nail-fungus/ and i confirm that especially propolis alleviates toenail fungus!

- - mom468361 said
  - 25 Jul 2020
    5:25 pm
I’m glad you find a solution. Can you please give an update on your nail fungus status today (2020)?

- - mom266424 said
  - 20 Sep 2017
    5:58 am
Thanks for posting this. I actually googled the exact phrase about pools curing toenail fungus because I am seeing the same thing as you – my infection is clearing!! I got it from having a pedicure (ew!) and have had it over 2 years, but now it’s just about gone!

- - june11 said
  - 09 Jul 2016
    8:04 pm
A child I know suffered from constant ear infections after swimming. She missed swimming for a few weeks, had one lesson and her infection returned.
One of my neighbours is allergic to chlorine. Her skin comes up in red patches and blisters.

- - mom19782016 said
  - 11 Jun 2016
    7:11 am
Wow, who’d have thought?! Some of those toenail fungus’ are really resistant to treatments. Thanks for sharing.

- - june11 said
  - 31 May 2016
    11:56 pm
There doesn’t seem to be many public salt water pools around. They are pobably healthier than chlorine pools

- - BellaB said
  - 12 May 2016
    7:23 pm
I’m glad you found a positive at last!

- - mom81879 said
  - 11 May 2016
    6:35 pm
It’s great you managed to find a positive in amongst all those negatives. Have you thought about looking for a salt water pool? Thus might help with your other health issues

- - mum4107 said
  - 07 May 2016
    6:09 am
I’m glad you have found something positive.
I’d be concerned about their chemical levels with all those issues arising. Perhaps you can find a salt chlorinated pool to swim in . I’m a swim teacher and I’m in the pool 4 times a week. My toddler is in once a week during summer and winter. She doesn’t have ear infections or any other infections.

- - damish70 said
  - 04 May 2016
    8:25 pm
I’m glad that nasty lingering infection has final gone-hooray!

- - mom90758 said
  - 04 May 2016
    1:25 pm
Very nice to hear that you had such a good improvement with your infection!!

- - mom165081 said
  - 03 May 2016
    3:56 pm
We have found that swimming in the ocean has the same benefits for fungal toenails (well that what my husband says!!). And it doesn’t irritate with all those nasty chemicals. Barefoot on white sand also keeps feet smooth.
- mom176887 replied
  
  03 May 2016 , 5:00 pm
  Great tip.. I’ll have to try that one too..thank you
  - mom93821 replied
    
    04 May 2016 , 7:46 am
    
    The ocean is good for many things!
- - mom93821 said
  - 03 May 2016
    3:01 pm
Interesting story! Glad there is an upside!