Fungal nail infection

Alternative names:

infection - fungal (nails); nails - fungal infection; onychomycosis

Symptoms:

• nail changes on one or more nails, usually toenails
  • brittle
  • discolored
  • loss of luster and shine
  • thickening
  • distorted nail shape
  • crumbling of the nail
  • debris under the nail
  • loose (detached) nail

• any abnormalities involving more than one toe nail

Note: Symptoms may vary with the specific type of fungus causing the infection.

Signs and tests:

Diagnosis is suspected by the appearance of the nails.

Scraping of the nail with a culture or an examination under a microscope will demonstrate the organism (confirming the diagnosis) and allow an identification of the type of fungus.