DIABETES/CIRCULATION PROBLEMS

Causes of nail fungus include diabetes, circulation problems, minor infected cuts nearby, and a weakened immune system.  More men than women tend to develop nail fungus, and it is believed that the condition can be hereditary.

Reasons Due To The Aging Process
Nail fungus causes are more prevalent in older adults than young adults or children.  People over the age of 60, typically, take more medications and are at higher risks for diabetes and circulation problems than those who are younger.  Other reasons why older adults are more susceptible to nail fungus are the facts that: a) nails tend to grow more slowly and thicken naturally due to aging; b) the nails have had more years of exposure to fungi; and c) circulation tends to be diminished as aging occurs.

Cuts Or Surrounding Skin Infections
A cut or minor injury to a toenail, fingernail, or skin surrounding a nail raises the possibility of incurring a nail fungus infection to that area.  Other infections close to a nail can become causes of nail fungus, as infections can easily spread.  The growth of nail fungus can happen rapidly when warm, moist environments are present.  If a band-aid or an overlapping bandage is protecting another injury, and if the nail is under the bandaged area, it could encourage the growth of nail fungus.  Our skin has certain fungi always living on it; there is no escaping it in daily life.  However, most of the time, it can be controlled by making sure areas prone to problems are kept clean by washing and drying.  It is just as important to dry the area after cleansing because, remember, fungi thrive in moist regions.

A Weakened Immune System
HIV/AIDS is an autoimmune disease that strips the body of being able to fight infection.  It is all the more important, then, for someone with a weakened immune system to take extra special care of fingernails and toenails.  You don’t have to fight an infection if you don’t get one.

Nail fungus causes can be aided by poor circulation, as well.  If blood is not flowing properly throughout the body’s circulatory system, the immune system cannot perform its function adequately.  Insufficient blood flow will also most likely not allow the nails to receive proper nutrition and, therefore, they will not be sufficiently armed to fight off infections.  Nails with poor nutrition are more easily traumatized by occurrences that could cause nail fungus.

Infections to toenails or fingernails can be difficult to prevent, but not impossible.  With proper care and caution relating to your outermost extremities which are so important to everyday life, you can get the upper hand on nail fungus.  If you find you do have a nail fungus infection, seek proper medical treatment to help cure it.

BACTERIA/MICROORGANISM CAUSES

Nail fungus causes can be the result of parasites that are part of the Dermatophyte fungal family.  Also, a type of yeast called Candida albican and types of molds can be the culprits in spreading infection.  These types of growths live in warm and moist environments.

The human body has a number of good bacteria that is very useful to it and promotes good health.  The “gut” of the human body has about 10 times the number of microorganisms in it as the rest of the human body has cells.  It has been estimated that approximately 500 different species of bacteria live in the intestine.  These bacteria act to help the human body function properly.  On occasion, some bad bacteria get involved as well and those can lead to causes of nail fungus.

The gut flora is a term to describe the microorganisms that live in the human digestive tract.  Organisms also live in the gastrointestinal tract, as well as the human mouth.  In 80 percent of the population, the yeast known as Candida albican will not produce any ill effects on human beings.  However, if it “overgrows,” it can result in a condition called “candidiasis.”  This type of situation is often seen in HIV-positive patients.  Another common term for candidiasis is “thrush” when it occurs in the mouth.  Since HIV is an autoimmune deficiency, the body does not have the strength or will to fight infection nearly as well as a healthy body.

Causes of nail fungus can also be a result of too much of these bacteria in your body.  Of course, by keeping your feet, toes, hands, and fingers constantly cleansed and dried, your chances of developing a fungus in, on, around, and under your nails are greatly minimized.  Conditions ripe for nail fungus infection include when your nails are moist from humidity or perspiration.  Molds and yeast love to fester in that type of climate.

More toenails are affected by nail fungus causes than fingernails.  A contributing factor to this statistic could be the fact that toes are usually sequestered for long periods of time under socks and shoes.  They are, therefore, in a more confined and dark environment than fingernails.  Another aspect of that scenario is the fact that more blood circulation gets to your fingers than your toes.  With less blood circulating to the toes, it is harder for the body’s immune system to detect that there is an infection.  Nail fungus infections are difficult to spot early on; it may not be until you see the discoloration signs or notice that the color and thickness of your nail has spread to nearby nails that you realize there is a problem.

Nail fungal infections can be hard to clear up, but with proper treatment, you can successfully rid your body of this disease.