What Causes Toenail Fungus Infection?
Most infections are caused by a species of fungus called dermatophytes. These are microscopic organisms that do not need sunlight to survive, and thrive on warm and moist environments. Yeast and molds are also known to cause similar infections. The most common cause of onychomycosis is by walking barefoot in locker rooms, swimming pools and public shower facilities. They invade the body through tiny cuts on the feet or through a small separation between your nail and skin. Nail infections occur mainly in toenails rather than fingernails. This is because the toes are most of the time confined in a dark, warm and moist environment in your shoes, thus provide an ideal state for fungal growth. Furthermore, the diminished blood supply in the toes as compared to the fingers makes it more difficult for the body’s immune system to detect and eliminate the infection.
