When it comes to nail diseases, the most common of them is a nail fungus infection. This makes up 50 percent of all nail abnormalities. Fungus is commonly found in the body. It only becomes a problem when it starts to overgrow and spread to other parts. This condition is also known as onychomycosis or tinea unguium. Fingernails and toenails are both susceptible to nail fungus. The symptoms often include nail thickening, discoloration, and crumbling edges. The infection is more prevalent in toenails than fingernails. Based on statistics, 10 percent of the adult population has nail fungus infections.
5What are the common symptoms of nail fungal infections?
Nail fungus can change the nail’s appearance in many ways. Nails are often thick, brittle, ragged, distorted, crumbly, dull, and darker or more yellowish. You may also find scaling under the nail. In other cases, yellow or white streaking on the nails as well as yellow spots at the bottom of the nail. The infected nail is also likely to separate from the nail bed. If the infection becomes severe, this may cause pain in the area and at times it may even emit a foul smell. Sometimes the appearance of fungus-free skin lesions known as dermatophytids is linked to nail fungus.
