Cause Of Toe Nail Fungus 

Toe nail fungus is a fairly common problem in adults, but not often seen in children. It's also known as onychomycosis, and it's caused by several different types of micro-organisms related to mold and mildew. Sometimes toe nail fungus is also caused by yeasts. The fungus thrives on moist, dark environments like those often found inside shoes. As the fungus grows, it feeds off the proteins found in the hard surface of our toe nails.

Toe nail fungus often develops in adults because they tend to wear tight fitting shoes for many hours of the day. Various types of hosiery, or socks made from fabrics that reduce the flow of air around your feet can also help provide a ripe environment for fungus to develop and grow.

Poor foot hygiene can also be a cause of toe nail fungus, and so can the use of too much nail polish. Putting on several layers of nail polish will smother your toe nail, so it's unable to breath well. Dark polish makes things even worse, becuse it provides the darkness fungus thrive in.

One of the reasons children may not develop the problem much is because they tend to go without shoes for many hours of the day, so their feet are able to breath well, which helps prevent too must moisture, and they're exposed to sunlight which helps take away the dark environment fungus loves.

Fungus often develops more on the big or little toe of the foot, and that's probably because when people wear shoes that are too tight, there is a constant rubbing of those toes inside the shoe.

Fungus is contagious too, and it can be caught by simply using a shower, swimming pool, or gym equipment that another fungus infected person has used. Fungus is a common problem in the military, and for athletes.

Some people are more at risk for developing toe nail fungus than others. If you have poor circulation for instance, diabetes, or HIV, you may be more prone to develop nail fungus than others.

Keeping yourself and your feet healthy will help prevent toe nail fungus from developing.

To keep your feet healthy: Be sure to trim the nails regularly, and deal with any ingrown toe nails promptly. Keep your feet clean too, particularly if you develop an ingrown toe nail or get any small abrasions, cuts, or injuries. You could opt to wear sandles in public areas such as swimming pools, locker rooms and gyms too. Be sure to air your feet out regularly, dry them well after showers and workouts, and expose them to the sun regularly. Ladies: Go without toe nail polish once in awhile.

Keeping your body healthy in general will also help prevent toe nail fungus from developing. If you have a strong, healthy immune system the fungus will not be able to develop or survive. Be sure to eat a well balanced diet, get plenty of exercise and sleep, and if desired: Take some vitamins or herbal supplements which are known to help strenthen the immune system.