Activities which increase the risk of getting bacterial nail infections include:
- repetitive minor trauma, e.g., overzealous manicuring, nail biting, onychotillomania (compulsive nail-picking or nail-tearing)
- work in damp conditions
- thumb-sucking
Certain conditions which predispose people to bacterial nail infections include:
- Psoriasis
- diabetes mellitus
- Immunosuppression like AIDS, history of a transplant
- ingrown nails