Reasons for Nail Fungus

Nail fungus infections are embarrassing and difficult to treat; sufferers wonder ‘why me” but the reasons for nail fungus remain frustratingly unclear. We have identified groups that tend to have a higher incidence, and high risk activities, but doctors still don’t really understand why fungi are able to invade the nails of some people and never afflict others.

Many a proposed reason for onychomycosis takes theories of immunity into consideration. Fungi, being specialists in breaking down decomposing organic material, don’t usually invade living tissue unless there is already some disease process in progress there. In the case of nail fungus the fungi are usually dermatophytes—fungi adapted to living in keratin, a protein that provides the tough texture of nails, hair, horn, hoofs, and even the outer layer of skin—but even they don’t invade living tissue, and they don’t infect everyone. In a certain number of cases, reasons for nail fungus include previous injury to the nail or a more widespread problem with the person’s immune system. This could at lest partially account for the increased incidence in older individuals: immunity tends to wane in old age.

Still a faltering immune system can’t be the only reason for onychomycosis: lots of healthy people have nail fungus infection. Statistics tell us that more men have the condition than women, some families are particularly prone to it, those who engage in sports and frequent fitness centers are at high risk, communal bathing presents a risk, and living in a warm climate is a risk as well. Wearing footwear that does not breathe, and walking barefoot in damp public places such as saunas and swimming pools are well known reasons for nail fungus to settle in.

Epidemiologists tell us that some of the more common and persistent fungi to plague people in Western civilization have come to us from other parts of the world, particularly Africa. In a world where humans move around the globe daily, it’s not surprising that fungi have traveled too, and this may explain an apparent increase in the problem. Still, it seems that reasons for onychomycosis fall into two categories: exposure and susceptibility. Families may have a genetic susceptibility while the elderly, people in poor health, and those suffering from immune diseases become infected more readily. Men working in construction and other physical occupations, atheletes, fitness buffs, swimmers, and those who visit saunas, meanwhile, are more likely to come in contact with dermatophyes. To avoid these reasons for nail fungus, the best defense is to take adequate precautions and look after your nails, hands, and feet.