Nail fungus infections are caused by dermal-fungi, yeasts such as Candida, and nondermal molds. Factors that may increase the development of nail fungus include: humidity, heat, trauma, diabetes, and underlying athlete’s foot. People wear the same pair of shoes every single day, their feet sweat, their feet get warm, and it's dark inside their shoes -- a perfect media for any kind of fungus or yeast to grow. There are high-risk groups, especially the diabetic patients and the HIV patient.
Approximately 90% of skin, hair and nail infections go untreated. Only about 10% are referred to dermatology. Aside from cosmetic concerns, onychomycosis can be the cause of toe and foot pain, as well as the underlying etiology for serious secondary bacterial infections and traumatic ulcerations. In diabetics, the latter conditions may even result in loss of all or part of the lower extremity.
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