Risks for Nail Fungus

People often ask about risks for nail fungus (onychomycosis): what would make you more likely to get such an infection, and what can you do to avoid it. Though it’s still unclear exactly what predisposes people to nail fungus, doctors have identified certain risk factors, and like so many other health problems, it’s true that this one is easier to prevent than to cure.

An immune system that isn’t working as well as it could is certainly one of the risk factors for onychomycosis. This is probably one of the reasons why your chances of having the problem increase with age: immunity wanes when we reach our senior years and we are less able to fight off many different infections. Diseases and inherited conditions that compromise immunity are risks for nail fungus as well, although this applies to a relatively small segment of the population. For the average person, simply following a healthy lifestyle and keeping the immune system healthy will help avoid these opportunistic infections.

Some occupations are risk factors for onychomycosis simply because they tend to bring people in contact with the fungi that infect human skin, hair, and nails. Gardeners and construction workers, who have a lot of contact with the soil and suffer frequent nicks and scratches to the fingers, may be at higher risk. Hair dressers and manicure or pedicure professionals suffer higher risks for nail fungus as well, because their clients may have infections. Anyone whose hands or feet are frequently immersed in water is in danger of contracting yeast infections of the nails. Poolside lifeguards, swimming instructors, swimmers etc. come into contact with fungal spores left on pool decks and in shower areas and locker rooms.

Poor personal hygiene is one of the risks for nail fungus that we can all avoid. Take care of your nails, keeping them clean and neatly trimmed. Don’t borrow other people’s footwear and keep your own footwear clean, dry, and well aired. Use antifungal powder in shoes if your feet tend to be sweaty. Wear a clean pair of socks each day, and try to choose socks that let the feet breathe. Tend to nail injuries and breaks in the skin near the nail with extra care, because fungal invasion of the skin near a nail is one of the risk factors for onychomycosis.

If you suspect that you have a fungal infection starting up, have it looked at immediately by a health professional. Onychomycosis is much easier to treat when caught early.