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A fungal nail can often develop from athlete’s foot, as this is a fungal skin infection. The fungus can spread to the nails if an athlete’s foot infection is not treated in time.
The organisms that cause fungal nails live in warm, humid environments. This is why you can be infected with the fungi that cause fungal nails when you are in a public, humid environment such as a sauna, gym, public showers or swimming pools.
Result of damage to the nail
If you are unlucky and catch your finger in a door, hit your finger with a hammer or stub your toe against the leg of a table, this can cause damage to your nail. It often occurs that the nail comes loose from the nail bed. The size of the area that has come loose determines the area where fungi can penetrate into the nail.
Through family members with a fungal infection
When other members of your family have a fungal nail, there is a good chance of you becoming infected via the shower floor, sheets, etc.
Other causes are:
- A different pH-value of the skin
- Not drying properly after bathing or sport
- A weakened immune system
Fungal nail is more common in toenails than fingernails, because toenails are often enclosed in the dark, warm and humid inside of your shoes – an ideal place for the fungi to grow. Another cause may lie in the fact that feet receive less blood flow than fingers. Therefore it is more difficult for the immune system to detect and fight the fungus.
Who is at risk?
Fungal nail is more common among older adults. Decreased blood circulation and a longer exposure to fungi are the main causes. As nails grow slower and thicker as you get older, they are more susceptible to fungal nail infection. Fungal nails are equally as common among men as in women.
Fungal nail infection is the most common foot problem, 1 in every 4 people suffer from a fungal nail infection. The increase of this problem may be due to wearing tight shoes and increasing the use of public areas such as dressing rooms and saunas.
These factors can also contribute to the development of a fungal nail:
- Age – risk increases with age.
- Athlete’s foot – 1 in 4 people with athlete’s foot also develop a fungal nail.
- Bare feet in public spaces – for example swimming pools, public showers and the sauna.
- Problems with blood circulation – as well as tight fitting shoes and nail injury.
- Illnesses like diabetes mellitus and psoriasis.
- Poor hygiene.