Nail fungus can occur on fingernails or toenails; however, it is more likely to appear on toenails because feet tend to be enclosed most of the time within socks and shoes. When perspiration develops on your feet, that makes a nice, warm living environment for fungi to grow. If your feet are contained within socks and shoes that are moist a good portion of the time, chances become greater that you will inherit a nail fungus condition.
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.
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