Fungal infections of the nail are a common condition. The medical name for this is onychomycosis or tinea unguium. Both fingernails and toenails can be infected, but it is more common in toenails. Toenail fungal infection affects more than 10 percent of the adult population, and it is more prevalent among older individuals. More men are infected than women. Onychomycosis makes up about half of the number of nail diseases.
6What are the most common signs and symptoms?
The most common sign of a nail fungal infection is the nail becoming thick and discolored, becoming yellowish, green, white, or black. When the infection becomes severe, it can become brittle, with some of its pieces coming off from the toe or finger. When the infection is left on its own, the skin underneath and around the infected nail may become inflamed and painful too. You can find yellow or white patches on the nailbed and scaly skin around the nail. At times, this may emit a foul smell. Most often it causes no pain unless the condition becomes severe. It is possible for those who have toenail fungal infections to experience psychosocial problems because of the nail’s appearance, particularly on the fingernails since they are always visible.
