Toenail fungus symptoms can be easy to spot. If your toenails are thick, discolored, and/or brittle, you may have toenail fungus. There are other conditions that have similar symptoms, but toenail fungus is the most common cause. The fungus is the main cause of nail deformities in adults. It’s very common in older seniors and diabetics.
At our clinics, we often consult people who are noticing odd changes in their nails and are wondering if it’s nail fungus. Nail fungus (medical name: onychomycosis) is quite common: it causes nearly half of all nail problems. It’s a fungal infection of the nail, usually starting at the tip or edge. Common signs include yellowing, thickening, and distortion of the nail. Below, we’ll cover how to spot nail fungus early and how it differs from other nail issues, so you can decide if it’s time to get checked.
What is Nail Fungus?
Nail fungus is a common infection of the fingernails or toenails. The fungi that cause it thrive in warm and damp places, like inside sweaty shoes or in public locker rooms. An infected nail often begins with a small discoloration under the nail tip. Over time, the fungus can grow deeper into the nail bed, and then the nail gradually thickens, discolors, and crumbles around the edges. In other words, the infection slowly disfigures the nail from the tip backward. Nail fungus isn’t usually painful at first, but it can eventually cause discomfort. This is especially true if the nail becomes very thick or lifts up.
Toenail Fungus: A Sneaky Culprit
Toenail fungus, medically known as onychomycosis, is more common than you might think. It’s a condition that affects millions of people worldwide, and it’s essential to recognize its warning signs early on. The sooner you identify the symptoms, the quicker you can prevent the infection from worsening.
Common Symptoms of Nail Fungus
You may notice these changes in one or more nails if fungus is present. The typical signs of nail fungus include:
- Discoloration: Nails often turn yellowish, whitish, or even brown. The change may start as a spot or streak and then spread. Over time, it can enlarge across the nail.
- Thickening and Brittle Texture: The nail often thickens unevenly and becomes hard to trim. It can feel gritty or rough. Nails may become brittle, crumbly, or ragged along the edges. You might notice bits flaking off when you trim them.
- Mishapen or Lifting Nail: Infected nails can become distorted in shape. They may even bulge or curl. The nail plate can lift up from the nail bed (this is called onycholysis). When a nail lifts, a white layer of debris may collect under it.
- Odor: Sometimes a mild foul smell comes from the affected nails, especially if it’s been infected for a while. This is a less common sign, but if you do notice an odor, it’s likely fungal.
If you’re seeing thick, yellow nails that are growing out unevenly or splintering, it’s worth investigating at one of our clinics; these are classic fungal infection symptoms. Catching it early, when you first notice a tiny change, makes treatment dramatically easier.
The Telltale Signs and Symptoms of Toenail Fungus
So, how can you tell if your toenails are under attack by fungus? Let’s break down some common indicators:
1. Discoloration
One of the first signs of toenail fungus is a change in nail color. Your toenail may turn yellow, brown, or even black. A noticeable thickening of the nail often accompanies this discoloration.
2. Changes in Nail Texture
Healthy toenails are usually smooth and uniform. However, toenail fungus can cause your nails to become rough, brittle, or crumbly. They may also develop a distorted or irregular shape.
3. Separation from the Nail Bed
As the fungal infection progresses, your toenail may lift away from the nail bed. This separation can create a gap between the nail and the skin, which may accumulate dirt and debris.
4. Foul Odor
Toenail fungus can emit a distinct, unpleasant odor. If you notice an unusual smell emanating from your toes, it could signify a fungal infection.
5. Pain and Discomfort
In some cases, toenail fungus can lead to discomfort or pain, especially when wearing tight shoes or putting pressure on the affected toenail.
How Is It Different From Other Nail Conditions?
Not all nail changes are due to fungus. Here are some key differences to help you tell them apart:
- Nail injury vs. nail fungus: If you injured your nail (stubbed your toe or dropped something on it), you might see a black, blue, or red bruise under the nail. This trauma mark usually doesn’t smell and will not spread to other nails. Over time, the bruise grows out as the nail grows. In contrast, a nail infected with fungus tends to be yellow or white and spread. These infected nails may even have a slight odor.
- Nail psoriasis vs. fungus: Nail psoriasis (an autoimmune condition) can look a lot like fungus, but there are clues. Nail psoriasis symptoms often display themselves as tiny pits (little dents) on the surface and sometimes “oil-drop” spots (reddish-brown patches) under the nail. Also, psoriasis usually appears on fingernails alongside other skin symptoms (like scaly patches on elbows or knees). In the case of fungus, you won’t see those pits or oil spots. These types of nails typically yellow and thicken without the red “lipstick line” that psoriasis can cause around a lifted nail. Another tip: fungus, more often than not, affects the toenails, especially one at a time. In comparison, psoriasis commonly attacks the fingernails and usually multiple nails at a time.
- Other infections or conditions: Certain problems, like bacterial infection or nutritional deficiencies, can affect nails; however, they also have distinguishing signs. For example, if your nails are unusually soft or peeling but without discoloration, it might just be due to dry nails or chemical damage. Athlete’s foot (a type of skin fungus between toes) is commonly linked to toenail fungus. If you have a bad case of athlete’s foot along with nail changes, that’s a strong hint that the nail issues are fungal. Always consider the overall picture: fungal nails often come with a history of foot fungus, while other nail problems usually have a specific cause (injury, eczema, etc.).
Early Warning Signs to Look Out For
One key to dealing with nail fungus is early detection. Often, people first see something subtle, maybe a tiny white or yellow spot on the corner of the nail. At this stage, you might not feel any pain, but the nail may soon start to feel slightly thicker or rough. Keep an eye on it for any other changes. Here are some other early red flags:
- New streak or spot: Even a small discoloration (yellow, white, or light brown) could be an early fungal patch.
- Texture changes: A healthy nail is smooth and transparent. If you begin to notice ridges, dullness, or a rough patch, it might be developing fungus.
- Gradual progression: Fungal nails usually get worse over time. If the problem area is getting bigger or affecting more of the nail each month, it’s likely an infection spreading. By contrast, a bruise or small injury typically improves as the nail grows.
Because fungus can be stubborn, catching it early makes treatment more effective. Noticing a slight color change or thickness early means you can prevent the spread of the infection and save your nail.
How do you get it?
One may develop a nail fungus if they have an athlete’s foot, have made contact with someone who has toenail fungus, practice poor hygiene habits or foot care, have diabetes, experienced trauma on the toe, or are immunocompromised.
How does it spread?
The fungus spreads easily, and it will find its way into the crannies of the nail. In most cases, it will reach the nail bed and multiply. Poor blood circulation, which may occur in diabetics, may cause the disease to be more urgent and require more attention.
Symptoms that may indicate you have a foot fungus are changes in nail shape, thickening of nails, brittle nails, darkening of nail color, nail dullness, and white and yellow parts of the nail plate.
If you notice any of these symptoms, be sure to be wary of your nails and give them consistent attention to monitor how they are doing. If the nail continues to show these symptoms, you may begin at-home treatment or see a doctor. Understand that many treatments are lengthy in time and require consistency as well as patience. Laser treatment, however, requires less time and is more effective.
Free Consultation and What to Do Next
If you’ve read this far and recognize some of these signs on one or more of your nails, don’t hesitate to reach out. We offer free consultations at each of our clinics to help you figure out what’s going on with your nails – no obligation, just honest advice. During a consultation with one of our medical doctors at over 160 medical clinics across the United States, we can examine your nails to confirm whether it’s a fungus or something else. Early diagnosis means faster, easier treatment and better results.
To schedule your free consultation or just ask any questions, contact us today at (800) 672-0625. We are ready to help you. Once you call, we’ll explain your options and put your mind at ease. Remember, if you do have nail fungus, treating it sooner keeps it from spreading and returning. Your journey toward healthy nails starts here, and we’re ready to help you every step of the way.
