A nail infection, also known as onychomycosis, is often caused by a fungus that makes its way through the skin near the nail, and into, or under, the nail bed. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, nail infections develop in toenails more often than in fingernails. The symptoms of a nail infection, however, are the same, regardless of which nail they infect.
Discoloration
One of the first signals of a nail infection is discoloration. The nail may turn a yellowish color, or have white specks. The "Physicians' Desktop Reference" states that these white specks may spread to cover the entire nail plate, causing the nail to have a chalky appearance.
Change in Texture
After the change in color, nail infections often begin to affect the texture of the nail. White spots may spread to cover the entire nail, and when this happens, the nail often can become flaky and crumbly. Other textural changes can include a thickening of the nail plate, accompanied by splitting, or ridges in the nail.
Separation
If the fungus continues to spread and is left untreated, the next symptom to develop may be the separation of the nail from the nail bed. According to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library, the nail can completely detach, and often debris (such as flakiness and crumbled nail) may have collected in the spaces where the nail first began to separate. If this debris begins to collect in the cracks between the nail and the nail bed, it can contribute to the separation of the nail.
Pain
Pain can be another symptom of a nail infection, but it most often occurs if the infection has spread into the area of skin surrounding the nail. According to the Dermatology Channel, this can happen as the fungal infection spreads outward from the cuticles. Along with pain, this will cause swelling and redness of the skin immediately surrounding the infected nail.
If you are experiencing any symptoms of nail infection, see your doctor for proper diagnosis. There are treatment options available that can shorten the time of, and save damage from, a nail infection.
Member Comments