Most people know that toenail fungus is contagious. But how high is the risk of infection really? And who is at increased risk?
The most important things at a glance
Nail fungus (onychomycosis) is a relatively common condition: it is estimated that 4 out of 100 people suffer from it. One reason is that nail fungus is contagious. The fungi can spread in a number of ways and invade toenails or fingernails.
How can you get infected?
Anyone infected with toenail fungus can infect others. This happens either through
- direct skin contact or
- Contact with fallen skin cells to which the fungus adheres.
In most cases, certain skin fungi are responsible for nail fungus (and also for athlete’s foot): dermatophytes. More rarely, the disease is caused by mold or yeast.
Presumably, nail fungus often develops as a result of an athlete’s foot infection, because many sufferers have athlete’s foot at the same time.
Where is the risk of infection particularly high?
The mushrooms multiply particularly well in a moist and at the same time warm environment. Outside the human body, they can survive for a long time in the form of spores if the conditions are right. For example, the pathogens can be found on bath mats or in ruts of swimming pools.
The risk of infection is particularly high in indoor (public) rooms with high humidity, for example
- in the sauna,
- in the pool,
- in gym locker rooms,
- in showers of sports facilities or
- in pools.
But infection is also possible at home, for example through shared towels or nail scissors.
Who is particularly at risk of contracting nail fungus?
Nail fungus is basically contagious. However, this does not mean that everyone who, for example, shares the same shower with a sick person or is barefoot in the swimming pool is automatically infected.
In general, the risk is higher in warm, humid places such as swimming pools or saunas. People who sweat a lot on their feet and/or wear tight shoes are also at risk.
There are also other risk factors that favor the onset of the disease. These include:
- Injuries to the nails, for example due to improper nail care
- foot deformities
- slow nail growth
- Metabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus
- a weak immune system, for example due to diseases such as HIV or medication
- Skin diseases such as psoriasis
- poor blood circulation in the feet, for example due to peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
Older people are more at risk than younger people, and men are more likely to have toenail fungus than women. Last but not least, predisposition plays a certain role: some people are more easily infected with nail fungus than others.
How can infection be avoided?
These tips can help reduce the risk of contracting athlete’s foot and toenail fungus:
- Do not share shoes, towels, socks, nail scissors or nail files with other people.
- Wear flip-flops in the pool, sauna, changing rooms or communal showers.
- Take off your shoes more often.
- Dry your feet thoroughly after showering, swimming or bathing.
- Avoid very tight shoes.
- Try not to wear a pair of shoes two days in a row.
Conclusion
Nail fungus is contagious. The pathogens multiply well, especially in warm, humid environments. Therefore, many people get infected in the swimming pool, in the sauna or in the changing rooms of gyms. But infection is also possible in private households. Not every person who comes into contact with the pathogens develops nail fungus. Rather, there are factors that increase the risk of infection. These include, for example, injuries to the nails, a weak immune system or heavy sweating.