Toenail fungus is a common infection that can infect anyone. With that said, some individuals are at a higher risk of contracting this infection than others.

Your age, lifestyle, and health can increase or decrease the chances of contracting a toenail fungus infection. Whether you have a toenail fungus or want to prevent it, this guide will give you a head start.

For further consultation on toenail fungus treatment, get in touch with Laser Nail Therapy.

Toenail Fungus Infection: Factors that Can Increase the Risk

Certain factors can influence the risk of contracting toenail fungal infection. From your age, the climate, your health, and your lifestyle, everything can increase your chances of getting this infection.

Climate

Toenail fungus thrives in warm and moist environments. So if you live in an area that is humid and has hot climate conditions, you are at a higher risk of developing a toenail fungal infection.

Age

Age plays an equally critical role in increasing the risk of developing this infection. As you age, your risk of contracting toenail fungal infection also increases. Hence, this infection is common in the elderly but least common among young people and children. Children under the age of 6 rarely contract this infection.

Lifestyle

Your lifestyle can also be a reason for developing a toenail fungal infection. For instance, if you have the following lifestyles, you can get this infection:

● Walking barefoot in humid and hot communal places such as locker rooms, pools or public shower

● Frequently having wet feet

● Spending more time in the water

● Wearing closed-toe and tight-fitting shoes

Health

Your health can influence whether you’ll develop a toenail fungal infection. If you have the following health conditions, you have a higher risk of contracting this infection:

● Psoriasis

● Athlete’s foot (or other skin diseases caused by a fungus)

● Diabetes

● Weakened immune system due to HIV (human immunodeficiency syndrome)

● Cancer or if you’re in the process of receiving chemotherapy

● Poor circulation

● Previous nail infection

● Organ transplant

● Frequent nail infections among family members

● Nail surgery or injured nail

What Causes This Infection?

Having skin-to-skin contact with an infected person can cause this infection. Likewise, sharing a towel or nail clipper with a person who has a toenail fungus infection can be another cause of of getting infected. You can also get the infection if your toenails are moist or you wear shoes and sweaty socks.

Consult an expert podiatrist at Laser Nail Therapy for the best treatment for fungal nail infection in NYC and Houston. They offer laser toenail fungus removal procedures – a non-invasive and painless method – to treat toenail fungus. Schedule an appointment today!