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In onychomycosis, a fungal nail infection, the nail typically lifts and is brittle. There may be scaly debris below the nail.
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Signs and Symptoms
- In general, toenails are most commonly affected with fungal nail infection. If the fingernails are affected, the toenails are usually affected as well. Nails often become thicker and lift from the nail bed (onycholysis) starting at the growing portion of the nail. You might then see debris under the nails and discoloration of the affected area.
- In some forms of fungal nail infection, you might see black or white, powdery discoloration on the surface of the nail plate.
- In some forms of fungal nail infection, you might see these abnormal changes farther up the finger (proximally), where the nail originates.
- Fungal nail infection may occur in people with athlete's foot (tinea pedis) and/or oozing infection (paronychia), caused by inflammation and infection with yeast and/or bacteria in the region where the skin of the finger meets the origin of the nail.
- In fungal nail infection, one, a few, or all nails may be affected.
Last Modified: 22 Dec 2008
Who's At Risk
