What are the risk factors?

Advanced age, male sex, sports, trauma and repetitive injuries, a moist, certain diseases (osteoarticular diseases, diabetes, obesity, peripheral vascular disease, psoriasis ...).
The infection is picked up very easily in public places collective humid and hot when you walk barefoot (pool, sauna, dance halls, locker rooms, etc..). It can also transmit the family, walking barefoot on the carpet, suitable or slippers in the bathroom, including towels and nail clippers.
Maceration in shoes, particularly sports shoes or boots, is also an important risk factor. Strain also predispose the nails or toes that overlap (common in the elderly).

Early treatment is essential

A fungal nail infection does not heal by itself and instead risks spreading to other nails. Similarly, the more care is delayed, the more healing is long and difficult. Hence the importance of regularly inspecting his nails, especially if you are part of the subjects at risk. At the slightest mistake, talk to your doctor.
A sampling of the nail for mycologist examination will be necessary to identify the fungus in question and to prescribe appropriate anti fungal treatment. Depending on the degree of involvement of the nail, it will be local (applying a varnish) and / or oral. However, be patient and follow the instructions of your doctor. Indeed, treatment is long (often more than six months), because the nail grows very slowly.