Clip your toenails correctly. Cut your toenails with properly sanitized nail scissors or clippers and make sure to cut them straight across. Andersen says it’s fine to use a nail file to gently file any sharp edges.
Wear properly fitted shoes. “Shoes shouldn’t be touching your toenails in any way,” Andersen says. “Avoid sliding into shoes that are too big and jamming your toenails into the end of the shoe.” The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends buying shoes with a wide toe box that won’t cramp your toes.
Choose breathable footwear. The more air that’s able to circulate around your feet, the drier and less susceptible to toenail fungus they’ll be. Your best bets: Shoes made of a breathable material like leather or canvas, according to the American College of Foot & Ankle Orthopedics & Medicine.
Alternate your shoes. Putting on shoes that are still damp from yesterday’s sweaty workout will only increase your risk of a toenail fungal infection, so invest in a few good pairs and rotate them. “Don’t wear the same pair of shoes two days in a row,” Andersen says. “Allow them to air out between wearings.” And make sure they’re placed out in the open where they can dry thoroughly.