The Alternative Health Gazette

Nail Fungus Overview

Nail fungus is a problem that many adults face, and it’s most commonly found to be a problem with toenails more than fingernails. Children can develop nail fungus related probelms too though, and both kids and adults can have nail fungus in either the toenails or the fingernails.

Toenail fungus is actually called onychomycosis, and it’s caused by a variety of microscopic organisms being able to get into small abrasions and cuts around your toenails and fingernails. These organisms are very much like mold and mildew, and sometimes the fungus that grows under your nails is also caused by yeast related bacteria such as candida.

Fungus is able to get into the space underneath of your nails when you have tiny abrasions, cuts or wounds you can’t see. These abrasions are often caused by tight shoes rubbing against your toes for instance, which is why toenail fungus tends to be more common than fingernail fungus. The fungus bacteria actually get into the space under your nails, and it feeds of the proteins your nails are made up of. Once it gets in and starts growing, it can be quite difficult to get rid of.

Nail fungus is contagious, and this is one of the primary reasons people have such a difficult time getting rid of it. Many treatments also require that you keep them up for many months - sometimes years - at a time while a completely new, uninfected nail grows too. And if the treatments are not kept up daily, the fungus can “jump” onto the newly grown nail areas, and cause you to have to start everything from the beginning again.

Some people are more prone to getting nail fungus than others. If you have a weakened immune system from diseases such as Diabetes or HIV for instance, this can make you more prone to developing fungal infections in your nail beds. If you also habitually wear tight fitting shoes that rub against your toes a lot, this can make you more prone to catching nail fungus infections too.

Athlete’s are particularly prone to getting nail fungus infections, because fungus thrives in warm, moist, dark environments. Since athletes wear closed athletic shoes for many hours at a time, and they often sweat a lot while working out, this can create the ideal environment for toenail fungus to develop. And of course since athletes also tend to share gym equipment, showers, and other public facilities, they can pass the fungal infection around to each other fairly easily if they’re not careful.

Note: Some statements in this article may not be approved by the FDA. This article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as professional medical advice.

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