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Fungal nail infection - Symptom

Alternative Names

Nails - fungal infection; Onychomycosis; Infection - fungal - nails; Tinea unguium

Symptoms:

  • Nail changes on one or more nails (usually toenails):
    • Brittleness
    • Change in nail shape
    • Crumbling of the nail
    • Debris trapped under the nail
    • Discoloration
    • Loosening (detaching) of the nail
    • Loss of luster and shine
    • Thickening

Signs and tests:

Your doctor will suspect a fungal infection based on the appearance of the nails.

The diagnosis can be confirmed by scraping the nail for a culture, or a microscopic examination to identify the type of fungus.

  • Reviewed last on: 10/3/2008
  • Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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