Liam Carter
Fingernail fungus, or onychomycosis, is a common infection caused by fungi that live in the environment. These microscopic organisms enter through small cracks in the nail or the skin surrounding it, causing infection when they multiply. While anyone can get a fungal nail infection, certain factors increase the risk, including age, gender, health, lifestyle, and climate. For instance, older adults are more susceptible due to lower blood circulation and slower nail growth, and men are more commonly affected than women. Additionally, living in a hot and humid climate and frequently having wet hands or feet can create an environment conducive to fungal growth.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause of infection | Fungi that live in the environment |
| How fungi enter the nail | Through small cracks in the nail or the nearby skin |
| Appearance of infection | Discoloration (white, yellow, green, or black), thickening, distortion, jagged appearance, white and/or yellow streaks, pitted and flaky spots |
| Types of infection | Distal or lateral subungual onychomycosis, white superficial onychomycosis, proximal subungual onychomycosis, candidal onychomycosis |
| Risk factors | Age, climate, health, lifestyle, gender, blood circulation, nail growth, skin injuries, frequent soaking of hands in water |
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What You'll Learn
Age, health and lifestyle factors
Age
The risk of contracting a fungal nail infection increases with age. Older adults are more susceptible to such infections due to lower blood circulation and slower nail growth, which are natural consequences of the ageing process. Before the age of six, it is rare to develop a fungal nail infection, and it is most common in older individuals.
Health
Certain health conditions can increase the likelihood of fungal nail infections. These include having athlete's foot or another type of skin infection caused by fungus. If left untreated, athlete's foot can lead to frequent nail infections. Additionally, individuals with compromised immune systems are more prone to proximal subungual infections, a type of fungal nail infection that starts at the base of the nail and spreads upwards.
Lifestyle
Your daily habits and routines can also impact your risk of developing a fungal nail infection. For example, if you frequently have wet hands or feet throughout the day, you create an environment conducive to fungal growth. This is because fungi thrive in warm, moist areas. Walking barefoot in places like pool decks, locker rooms, or gym showers can expose you to fungi that cause nail infections.
Exercising or engaging in activities that cause repeated minor trauma to the hyponychium, where the fingertip attaches to the nail, can also increase your risk. Moreover, frequent hand soaking or exposure to water can make you more susceptible to certain types of nail fungus, such as Candida yeast infections, which often affect the fingernails.
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Walking barefoot in moist areas
When walking barefoot in these areas, microscopic fungi can enter through cracks in your nail or the skin surrounding it. This is how fungal infections, such as athlete's foot, are commonly spread.
It is important to note that toenails are more susceptible to fungal infections than fingernails because they are often confined in dark, warm places with less blood flow, making it harder for your body to detect and prevent the infection.
To prevent nail fungus, it is recommended to keep your feet clean and protected by wearing shoes in such environments. Additionally, maintaining good foot hygiene, wearing breathable footwear, and changing socks daily can help reduce moisture buildup, which is favourable to fungi growth.
By taking these precautions, you can lower your risk of contracting nail fungus when walking barefoot in moist areas.
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Skin-to-skin contact with an infected person
Anyone can get a fungal nail infection, but it is more common in men and older adults. One of the ways you can get a fungal nail infection is through skin-to-skin contact with an infected person. This includes shaking hands with someone who has a fungal infection such as athlete's foot or ringworm on their hands.
Fungi are tiny organisms that can only be seen through a microscope. They are normally present in and on the body, alongside various bacteria. However, when a fungus begins to overgrow, you can get an infection. Fungi thrive in warm, moist environments, so this type of environment can cause them to naturally overpopulate. The area under a nail gives fungi a warm, moist place to grow, and the infection can then spread to other nails and even your skin.
Fungal nail infections can result in pain in the toes or fingertips, and they may even emit a foul odour. Nails that are infected with fungus typically become thick, yellow, and brittle. The nail may thicken and could be hard to trim. It may start to curl up or down or loosen from the nail bed. Your nail could become brittle and crumble when you touch it.
To prevent a fungal nail infection, keep your nails short, clean, and well-trimmed. Wash your hands and feet often with soap, and make sure you get between your fingers and toes. If you are going to have damp or wet hands for an extended amount of time, you may want to wear rubber gloves.
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Frequently wet hands or feet
Fungi are tiny organisms that can only be seen through a microscope. They are typically present on the body, but an overgrowth can lead to a fungal nail infection. Anyone can get a fungal nail infection, but certain factors can increase the risk, including frequently having wet hands or feet throughout the day.
Fungal nail infections are more common in toenails than fingernails due to toenails providing a darker, warmer, and more moist environment, which fungi thrive in. Additionally, the toes have less blood flow than the fingers, making it harder for the body to detect and prevent infections. Therefore, frequently wet feet can create an ideal environment for fungal growth, increasing the risk of infection.
Walking barefoot in warm, moist areas, such as pool decks or locker rooms, can also increase the risk of fungal nail infections. These environments are prone to fungal spread, and the moisture can further contribute to creating favourable conditions for fungal growth.
If you frequently have wet hands or feet, it is recommended to practice good hand and foot hygiene. Wash your hands and feet often with soap, ensuring you clean between your fingers and toes. Additionally, consider wearing rubber gloves if you anticipate having damp or wet hands for an extended period. Keeping your nails short, clean, and well-trimmed can also help prevent fungal infections.
In addition to practising good hygiene, you can take preventative measures such as wearing well-fitting shoes made from natural materials and clean cotton socks. These types of shoes and socks allow your feet to "breathe," reducing the moisture levels that fungi thrive in. By combining proper hygiene with the right footwear and socks, you can effectively reduce the risk of fungal nail infections associated with frequently having wet hands or feet.
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Yeast and other fungi
Fungal infections normally develop over time, so any immediate difference in the way your nail looks or feels may be too subtle to notice at first. A fungal nail infection occurs from the overgrowth of fungi in, under, or on the nail. Fungi thrive in warm, moist environments, so this type of environment can cause them to naturally overpopulate. The same fungi that cause jock itch, athlete's foot, and ringworm can cause nail infections.
Fungal nail infections are usually caused by dermatophytes, a group of fungi that includes Candida. These fungi can live harmlessly on the skin but can multiply and lead to infections. Candida yeast infections can invade nails previously damaged by a prior infection or injury. Candida affects the fingernails more commonly and often occurs in people who frequently soak their hands in water. These infections usually start around the cuticle, which becomes swollen, red, and tender to the touch. The nail may partially lift off the nail bed or fall off completely.
Distal subungual infections are the most common type of fungal nail infection and can develop in both fingernails and toenails. When infected, the outer edge of the nail has a jagged appearance with white and/or yellow streaks across the nail. The infection invades the nail bed and underside of the nail. White superficial infections usually affect toenails. A certain type of fungus attacks the top layers of the nail and creates well-defined white spots on the nail. Eventually, these white patches cover the entire nail, which becomes rough, soft, and prone to crumbling.
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Frequently asked questions
Finger nail fungus is caused by fungi that live in the environment. These enter through small cracks in the nail or the nearby skin, causing infection. Fungi are normally present in and on the body, but when they begin to overgrow, you can get an infection.
Nail fungus usually appears as discolouration and thickening of the nail, and crumbling edges. You may first notice a white or yellow spot under your nail, which spreads and can turn your whole nail white, yellow, green, or black.
You can get antifungal medication in the form of tablets or a special paint that you apply directly to the nail. In extreme cases, a physician may remove the entire nail.
