How common are fungal nail infections?
Nail infections caused by a fungus are very common. Children don't usually get them, but adults do. And the older you get,
the more likely you are to get one.
In the United States, about 1 in 7 adults has a fungal nail infection. But the real number could be much higher. Many people with a nail infection never go to see their doctor about it.1 One study found that 1 in 5 people diagnosed with a fungal infection had had it for at least 20 years.2
If you have a fungal infection, you are much more likely to have it in a toenail than a fingernail.
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This information was last updated in Oct 13, 2008
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This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved. |
