你有指甲被感染的問題嗎？ Interesting Facts About Nail Fungal Infections

指甲真菌感染的症狀是指甲增厚和變色，黃、綠，甚至黑色，甲床會變得脆弱、斷裂和剝落，這種感染是很常見，而且經常隨著年齡增加而增加，根據統計，約3-5％的人口患有某種類型的指甲真菌感染，提供一些有關指甲真菌感染的事實
1. 30％的皮膚感染是指甲真菌。 
2. 指甲真菌感染影響總人口的5％，20%是60歲以上，50％是70歲以上。 
3. 大多數的指甲真菌感染是由念珠菌所引起的。
4. 男人得腳癬的機率高於女性。
5. 接近水或潮濕地方的人容易有指甲感染。
6. 危險因素包括年齡、血液循環減弱、糖尿病、指甲慢慢增厚，牛皮癬，長時間不穿鞋、免疫系統失調、過度出汗等等。
7. 1/3的糖尿病患有甲癬。
A nail fungal infection, or onychomycosis, is a fungal imbalance that affects the fingernails and toenails. The most common symptom is a thickening and discoloration of the nail to yellow, green, and even black. As the problem progresses, the nail bed can become uncomfortable, brittle, and even begin breaking off.

How Common is Nail Fungus?
Nail fungus is surprisingly common and occurs more frequently with age. According to recent statistics, at least 5% of people suffer from nail fungus infection. Although less visible, toenail fungal infections are more prevalent than fingernail.

Toenail fungus isn’t an isolated problem, it can reveal a lot about a persons health. A nail infection may suggest that the nails are receiving poor circulation or that the immune system is affected.

Facts About Nail Fungal Infections
Onychomycosis accounts for up to 30% of all skin infections.
Nail fungal infections affects 5% of the general population, 20% of people over 60, and 50% of individuals over 70.
Conventional approaches to fungal infections are effective in less than half of all cases.
The 3 primary causes are dermatophytic fungi, Candida, and non-dermatophytic molds.
The majority of toenail fungal infections are caused by dermatophytic fungi.
The majority of fingernail fungal infections are caused by Candida.
Some molds can cause both toenail and fingernail infections.
Men contract toenail fungus more often than women.
Working in damp areas increases the risk of infection.
Risk factors include age, poor circulation, thickening of nails, diabetes, psoriasis, immune system disorders, and excessive perspiration.
One ­third of diabetics have onychomycosis.
People with psoriasis have a 56% higher risk for nail infection.

Solutions and Tips
The standard solutions include oral and topical agents, removing the infected nail, and laser therapy. Naturopathic therapies, however, are less toxic, less harsh, and more readily available. Sunlight therapy, essential oils such as tea tree or oregano oil, and hydrogen peroxide are all common, natural remedies for fungal infections. Other simple tips for fighting nail fungus include:

Keep your feet as clean and dry as possible.
Wear waterproof sandals at swimming pools and other public wet areas.
Wear clean, fresh socks daily.
Trim your nails regularly.
Avoid tight hosiery; they can promote moisture retention.