Toenail fungus is caused by the organism gaining access to the nail plate the must common way this happens is through trauma to the nail plate, this may be due to physical damage to the nail plate as it is put in shoes that are too tight or following a sports injury. The most common injury is when the toe bleeds under the nail plate.
Fungal infections can cause the nail plate to thicken in some cases but not always there are many forms of funguses that cause this infection also some yeasts will cause it.
The most common form of infection is through communal showers but bare in mind that there is often an amount of fungus on the skin of our body waiting for an opportunity to gain access to a place where it can grow.
Fungus will often gain access to the nail end due to damage it is interesting to note that some antibiotics taken over a prolonged period coupled with exposure to sunlight can lead to Onycholysis (lifting of the nail plate at the tip).
Other patients that are more at risk of toenail fungus are diabetics and patients with immune deficiencies.
Nail fungus will generally spread slowly over many years progressively effecting more and more of your nails.

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