Nail fungus is a common condition that can be caused by a variety of factors. It is especially common among people who have poor hygiene habits, such as not washing their hands and feet regularly or not drying them properly. Additionally, people who engage in activities that involve keeping their feet damp for long periods of time, such as swimming or showering without shoes, are more prone to developing nail fungus. Other risk factors include wearing tight-fitting shoes, having a weakened immune system, or having certain medical conditions, such as diabetes.
In some cases, nail fungus can be the result of coming into contact with someone else who has an infection. This is especially common when sharing nail clippers or other tools that come into contact with infected nails. In other cases, nail fungus can be caused by a fungus, yeast, or mold that is present in the environment. For example, it is quite common to get nail fungus from walking barefoot in a public shower or locker room.
No matter how you got nail fungus, it is important to seek medical treatment in order to get rid of the infection. Treatment options include topical and oral antifungal medications, as well as laser therapy. It is important to follow your doctor’s instructions and complete the entire course of treatment, even if the infection appears to have cleared up. Otherwise, the fungus may return or spread to other parts of the body.