Signs and symptoms of toe nail fungus
Nail fungal infections normally start at the edges or base of the nail, although some can start on the underside of the nail and on the nail bed. The first sign is commonly a painless white or yellow spot on the nail. Unfortunately this can be hard to spot, particularly if you are using nail polish or if the fungus has begun on the underside of the nail.
As the fungal infection spreads it causes increasingly more discoloration, thickening and distortion to the nail, sometimes engulfing the entire nail. In severe cases the nail cuticle can detach and bleeding can occur.
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Summary of nail fungus symptoms:
- White, yellow, yellow-green or dark yellow-brown discoloration
- Thickened nail with loss of luster, changes in texture and cloudy appearance
- Abnormal grooves and ribbed lines or other distortion to nail shape
- Brittle, crumbling or flaky nail
- A build-up of debris under the nail
- Mild discomfort or itchiness of the flesh around the nails, especially when walking (for toenails) or using your hands (for fingernails)
- In severe cases the discoloration becomes quite dark and the nail can detach from the surrounding skin (or cuticle) and nail bed, crumble away and even fall off completely.
These symptoms of a fungal infection can be confirmed by a doctor by inspection and/or sending a sample of the fungal debris or nail scraping for laboratory analysis. Before undertaking any treatments, it makes sense to have a definite diagnosis, as fungal infections can look similar to other abnormalities such as nail psoriasis or yellow nail syndrome.
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Information on this site is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is not intended as professional medical advice and should not be used to substitute for a doctor's recommendation. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease or for choosing any medication. Any individual who develops a fungal infection should consult a licensed physician for proper diagnosis and treatment. Please read our Disclaimer.
