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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffNail fungus is more common among older adults for several reasons, including diminished blood circulation and more years of exposure to fungi. Also, nails may grow more slowly and thicken with age, making them more susceptible to infection. Nail fungus tends to affect men more often than it does women, particularly those with a family history of this infection.
Other factors that can increase your risk of developing nail fungus include:
- Perspiring heavily
- Working in a humid or moist environment
- Having the skin condition psoriasis
- Wearing socks and shoes that hinder ventilation and don't absorb perspiration
- Walking barefoot in damp public places, such as swimming pools, gyms and shower rooms
- Having athlete's foot (tinea pedis)
- Having a minor skin or nail injury, a damaged nail or another infection
- Having diabetes, circulation problems or a weakened immune system
- Onychomycosis. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec10/ch125/ch125c.html?qt=nail%20fungus&alt=sh. Accessed June 30, 2009.
- Goldstein A, et al. Onychomycosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 30, 2009.
- Nail problems. American Podiatric Medical Association. http://www.apma.org/MainMenu/Foot-Health/FootHealthBrochures/GeneralFootHealthBrochures/NailProblems.aspx. Accessed June 30, 2009.
- Watanabe D, et al. Successful treatment of toenail onychomycosis with photodynamic therapy. Archives of Dermatology. 2008;144:19.
- De Berker D. Fungal nail disease. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2009;360:2108.
- Hinojosa J, et al. Which antifungal is best for toenail onychomycosis? The Journal of Family Practice. 2007;56:581.
