There is fungus among us! No matter what you do, you cannot escape the fungi that live around us, even on our skin. It is just a fact of life to be exposed to the fungi in nature. Most times, we really do not know where or how we catch a fungal nail infection, but if you know the causes and the reasons it spreads, you can avoid fungal infections in the future.
Nail Fungus Causes – from Work and Play
Warm and wet areas are prime breading grounds for fungus. If you constantly have a body part, a foot or hand, in an environment like this, then you are more likely to get a fungal infection. People who constantly have wet hands, such as dishwashers, house cleaners, or anyone who has to wear gloves all day, are likely to be exposed to the conditions that cause nail fungus infection. Toenail fungus will happen in tight, enclosed areas – specifically the shoes and boots we wear that trap sweat and heat.
In addition, even our naked feet can be exposed to toe nail fungus in public gyms, shower stalls, swimming pools, saunas, and nail salons.
If you are active, activities like running and basketball can cause a broken nail plate. The cracks are prone to moisture found in shoes and shocks, where it seeps in to provide a great environment for nail fungus. It can be very difficult to get rid of these kinds of toe nail fungus infections without a topical treatment.
Lower Immune System leads to More Risk of Infection
Those with a weaker immune system, whether through bad health, smoking or disease, are more prone to the causes of nail fungus infections. Older individuals are also more prone to these infections because age plays a factor. Nearly half of the people over 70 find toe nail fungus infections common. Poor circulation to the feet caused by diabetes and other diseases also means a greater risk.
Maintain Good Hygiene to Reduce the Risk
Even if you are naturally more prone to nail fungus infections, there is still a lot you can do to reduce the risk. You must always maintain proper foot hygiene to avoid toe nail fungus infections. This means thoroughly drying your feet after a shower or bath, and wearing sandals in public showers. Nail fungus spreads easily through wet towels and tile floors whether if an infected person’s feet have touched them. This is why when one person in a family catches a toe nail fungus infection, others in the household are soon to follow.
Nail polish has the ability to trap a small infection and turn it into a bigger one if not careful. If your hands touch infected feet, the possibility is there for the nail fungus to travel to your hands.
