Although nail fungus is common and anyone can get it, some people have a higher risk of developing a fungal nail infection. Your age, health, and even your lifestyle can increase the risk.
There is an increased risk of developing a fungal nail infection if you have one or more of the following:
- Athlete’s foot (or another skin infection caused by fungus)
- Cancer and are receiving chemotherapy
- Diabetes
- Injured a nail or recently had nail surgery
- People in your family frequently get nail infections
- Poor circulation
- Psoriasis
- Received an organ transplant
- Weakened immune system due to a disease like human immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV)
Preventing fungal nail infections
Fungal nail infections usually develop when your feet are constantly warm and damp. You’re more likely to get an infection if you wear trainers for a long time and have hot, sweaty feet. You can get it if your nails are frequently moist or you often wear sweaty socks and shoes.
The fungi usually infect a nail by getting into a:
- Small cut in the skin surrounding your nail
- Crack in your nail
- Separation between the nail and finger (or toe)
So, to prevent fungal nail infections:
- treat athlete’s foot as soon as possible to avoid it spreading to nails
- keep feet clean and dry
- wear clean socks every day
- wear flip-flops in showers at the gym or pool
- throw out old shoes
Treatment
Treatment depends on the severity of your condition and the type of fungus causing it. It may be prescribed an antifungal drugs that yoy take orally or apply to the nail. They might suggest temporary removal of the nail so that the antifungal drug can be applied directly to the infection under the nail.
The most effective but least used option is surgery to permanently remove the nail and its root. The surgery usually takes less than an hour. It’s not a common surgery, because most of the time conservative treatment can have good results. But it’s an option when all else fails. When you have your nail taken out, a new one usually grows back, but usually slowly. It could take up to 18 months for yours to grow all the way back.