Likely, you will not pay that much attention to your nails except when you are trimming or painting them until a problem occurs. You would know that your nails are shiny, smooth, and pink, but a fungal infection can cause different changes to the nails. The toenail fungal infection is also known as onychomycosis. It is a common condition of the nails, but it is challenging to treat.
4What are the common causes of a nail fungal infection?
Nail fungal infections are often caused by a group of fungi known as dermatophytes that infect the skin underneath the nail. Yeast can also cause nail infections. Certain factors can also increase the risk of getting infected with toenail fungus. Your toenails are more prone to it when you walk barefoot in public places that are often damp like swimming pools and gyms. Fungus thrives and spreads in a damp and warm environment. The infection is likely to spread to the nails when you have an athlete’s foot. Prolonged wearing of inappropriate footwear such as those that don’t have proper ventilation or wearing socks that are damp due to profuse sweating. People who have chronic diseases such as diabetes or circulatory issues are more vulnerable to fungal infections.
Nail fungus is more prevalent among older adults, and it affects more men than women.
