Onychomycosis in athletes

Onychomycosis is a common disorder that is difficult to cure. It has a prevalence ranging from 2-13% globally, across all age groups. Prevalence is lower in children (0.7%), but athletes are 2.5-fold more likely to develop the disease, with toenail infections 7 times more prevalent than infection of the fingernails. This is a concern for athletes as it can interfere with their performance. The risk of developing onychomycosis is increased by the warm environment of many sports activities, the use of occlusive footwear, the warm, moist environment associated with socks and sweating, shared, close quarters among athletes, and trauma to the foot and toenail.
Source: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology - Category: Dermatology Source Type: research