First off, if you suspect you may have an infection, go see a doctor. They can prescribe a treatment to get rid of it. Nail fungus can take 6 months to year on average to get rid of. So if you just noticed it, don't allow it to start spreading, and see a doctor immediatly. The sooner you go in and start treatment the sooner it will be healthy again. 

What is nail fungus?
Nail fungus also known as as onychomycosis, is a microscopic organism that does not require sunlight to live. Nail fungi infections are normally from a group called dermatophytes. In some cases, however, the infection can also be caused by a yeast or mold. It is estimated that over 10 million people in the USA have nail fungi.

What should I look for?
Your nail may be flakey, thick, yellow or greenish in color and deformed. If deformed, the nail could also be raised from the nail bed (onycholysis) and the nail may rub against the inside of the shoe. If the nail raises and starts rubbing inside the shoe it can cause pain. White dry material may accumulate between the nail and the nailbed. In combination with nail fungus, the skin around the nail can also become infected. It may become inflamed, swollen, itchy, sore, and even filled with pus.

What can I do to prevent it?
Be sure to keep your nails dry. Warm moist environments promote fungus. This causes toe nails to be affected more then finger nails. Be sure to remove sweaty socks immediatly. Artificial nails can encourage infection by giving it a dark and unvented environment to thrive in. Be sure your articial nails are not lifted. If water gets between your natural nail and the artificial nail, it is the perfect breeding ground for fungus or mold.

Only go to nail shops that use new disposable files/buffers and sanitized metal implements or bring your own. If the nail tech does happen to cut you, you can rest assure you won't get an infection from dirty tools. Keep in mind a dirty pedicure basin from previous users can also spread infection. So be sure your technician has cleaned that too. Ideally look for a place where all the water can be removed after each use, scrubed with antibacterial soap and water, then disinfected for 10 mins with an EPA registered cleaner (usually blue in color. Barbacide is one to look for). You should witness this kind of sanitation and disinfection practice after each pedicure.

How to prevent Nail Fungus:

• Wear open shoes or sandals.

• Sweaty socks should be changed immediately.

• Wearing natural fiber socks like cotton will help the feet breath and thus prevent sweating. You might want to use synthetic if you find you feet getting to wet in cotton socks. Synthetic blends may help wick the moisture away.

• Public lavatory floors spread the fungus so you should wear shoes at all times in them.

• Wear flipflops when taking a shower in a public stall.

• File and trim nails short and straight. Keep them dry and clean.

• Avoid nail shops with with bad sanitation and disinfection procedures.

Risks
If you have diabeties or a weak immune system then you are more succeptable to nail fungus and should make sure you take preventive measures like using antifungal ointment.

Treatments for Nail Fungus:
There are many cures but they all take a while to work. Medical experts suggest treatment with pills is most affective. Pills get absorbed by the body and kill the fungus beneath the nail from where it started. Pills also have the benefit of treating any other nails where it could have already been spread. Topical creams are used in concert with the pills to increase it effectiveness and decrease healing time. Powders and creams can help stop a repeat of the infection. Pills are usually taken for a few months to suppress the nail fungus until the healthy nail grows out. A topical treament must be applied on a daily basis. Sometimes 1-3 times each day. If only a topical treatment is being used, it is important to be consistent in application.Once one forgets to apply it, it's like starting the process all over again. Ideally you don't want to give the fungus a chance to regrow.