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What Causes Nail Fungus Infections – Risk Factors And Conditions Commonly Mistaken With Nail Fungus

Nail fungus is an embarrassing but common nail problem. According to recent statistics, nail fungus affects approximately 10% of all adults living in western countries. The problem is more prevalent among the elderly adults above 60 years old i.e. the prevalence stands at 20% for this age group.

Nail fungus is a cause for concern among adults since it results in abnormal-looking nails. The problem is also a cause for concern since it can be painful and is capable of spreading easily to all toe and finger nails when the problem isn’t dealt with immediately and properly.

This article will focus on the main causes of nail fungus, the risk factors as well as the conditions mistaken for fungal nails. Let’s start by looking at what causes nail fungus infections.

What causes nail fungus infections?

Nail fungus which is responsible for causing fungal nail infections is caused by 3 main types of fungus in combination or alone. These fungus include;

1. Dermatophytes: As the name suggests, dermatophytes are special types of fungus which grow on the skin. The fungus also grows on the hair and nails. The fungus doesn’t invade deep tissues in the body. One of the most common dermatophyte fungus is Trichophyton rubrum. The fungus is responsible for causing most athlete’s foot cases. The fungus then spreads and infects the toenails. Dermatophytes can also find their way into your nails through clothing, nail clippers, shoes, carpets, locker room floors and showers. Dermatophytes are responsible for causing almost all types of fungal toenail infections.
2. Yeast: This is another fungus responsible for causing nail fungus infections. Yeast is a special type of fungus which grows on the nails and skin. Although yeast is usually present in the body of a healthy person, the problem arises when there is a yeast overgrowth which causes a yeast infection. Antibiotics, birth control pills, immune system problems and illnesses are some of the main causes of yeast overgrowth.
3. Mold: Also known as nondermatophytes, mold is a special fungus found normally in the soil. The fungus can however grow on the nails and skin. Mold is usually passed from one person to the other.

Risk factors

In healthy people, fungal nail infections are usually caused by fungus found in moist, wet areas. Some of the most common sources of fungus responsible for causing fungal nails include; swimming pools and gyms among other places which have communal showers.

It is also important to note that athletes are more susceptible to nail fungus. This can be attributed to the fact that they wear tight-fitting shoes and their feet are more prone to sweating.

Repetitive toenail trauma also increases the risks of most athletes getting fungal nails.

As seen above, research studies also put age as a common risk factor for fungal nails. Elderly people are more prone to nail fungus infections because of a number of things the most notable being a poor immune system. As you get older, your immune system weakens making you more susceptible to diseases.

Chronic diseases also increase risks of getting nail fungus infections. This can be attributed to the fact that diseases like cancer and diabetes are known to strain the immune system making it easier to get common infections.

Diseases like AIDS weaken the immune system completely making it impossible to avoid fungal infections like fungal nails when you come across dermatophytes, yeast and mold.

Conditions which are easily mistaken for nail fungus infections?

Having discussed about the major causes and risk factors of nail fungus infections, let’s now shift our focus on conditions which can be easily mistaken for nail fungus.

1. Lines & ridges: This is by far the most common nail condition mistaken for nail fungus. Lines and ridges are common and considered normal. They are characterised by large grooves on the centre of the nail. Contrary to popular belief, lines and ridges aren’t caused by nail fungus but factors like nail biting.
2. Senile nails: The nails become brittle with age. When this happens, the nails may develop ridges. Nail layers may also separate at the nail-ends. Senile nails have nothing to do with nail fungus although they are commonly mistaken with the problem. To avoid senile nails, avoid cleaning solutions as well as soaking your nails in water for long.
3. Yellowish or whitish nails: As the name suggests, yellowish or whitish nails bear a yellowish or whitish colour which resembles the colour of fungal nails. This condition can be easily treated by trimming the nails and avoiding cleaning under the nails.
4. Red/black nails: Red/black nails are caused by ahematoma or blood under the nails as a result of trauma i.e. whacking your nail by mistake with a hammer/door etc. The discoloured nails usually grows out. In case you have a black/red spot under your nail that didn’t result from trauma, you should visit a dermatologist to ensure it’s not melanoma.
5. Green nails: Contrary to popular belief, green nails are caused by bacteria i.e. pseudomonas bacteria and not fungus. The bacteria grows under nails which have been partially separated from their nail beds. Green nails can be treated by maintaining short nails throughout and avoid cleaning as much as possible.You should also dry your hands completely. If the problem persists, there are always prescription treatments you can turn to.
6. Pitted nails: This condition is caused by skin problems such as psoriasis which affect the area under the skin behind the nail i.e. the area from which nails grow. Pitted nails have nothing to do with nail fungus.
7. Chronic nail trauma: This condition is caused by repeated trauma on the nails. This condition is most common among athletes who are more prone to nail injuries i.e. basketballers and footballers. The repeated trauma can damage the nail completely making it look like nail fungus infections. Chronic nail trauma can also be caused by repeatedly wearing tight-fitting shoes.

Conclusion

From the above information, it’s clear what causes nail fungus infections, the risk factors as well as common conditions mistaken for nail fungus.

Although there is more to nail fungus than what is discussed above, the above information is adequate enough to guide anyone interested in basic information on the main causes of nail fungus, the risk factors and other important related information.

Treat your toenail fungus with FUNGINIX which combines the strength of common anti-fungal agents, herbals remedies and essential oils for the most effective topical solution available today.

Best of all, FUNGINIX is extremely effective and takes only three months to kickstart the natural processes that begin fighting fungus growth on the surface of your toenails and surrounding skin areas.