Warning Signs Of Onychomycosis

Onychomycosis is responsible for one-third of the fungal skin infections in the world, giving it a place among the most common fungal infections in the world. The infection occurs in the nail bed, plate, or matrix. It's more common for the toenails to be affected than fingernails. The condition makes up half of all cases involving nail disease as well. Most patients with this infection are adults, with those over sixty years old being more susceptible. Reports indicate two to fourteen percent of the population will experience this infection at some point, but some researchers believe the actual incidence may be much higher. The condition can cause multiple issues beyond just cosmetic problems, so diagnosis and treatment are very important.

Foul Smell Around Nails

A foul smell around the nails is a common sign of nail fungus, though not everyone will experience a foul smell, and the smell might develop after the infection has existed for a while. It's more common for infections to start as small spots that can be easy to ignore at first. Foul smells are the easiest way to differentiate a nail fungus from nail psoriasis. Psoriasis often looks similar to a fungal infection, but it doesn't present with an odor. Also, most patients with nail psoriasis also have general psoriasis. Topical medications can sometimes help treat the fungus.

There are a variety of over-the-counter medicines and treatments patients might try to reduce or get rid of the odor. However, to fully eliminate the odor, they'll need to eliminate the fungus at the source. Over-the-counter antifungal agents should be the first course of action, but if those aren't helpful, patients should talk to a doctor. Since nails grow so slowly, it may be a little while before patients see treatment results.

Nail Thickening

One common component of nail fungus is a thickening of the nail. The nail might also be deformed or unusually pitted. Pitting of the nails can happen if individuals sustain an injury, like if they drop a dish or other heavy object on their toes. However, unexplained pitting tends to be a sign of an underlying condition. Nail psoriasis can also cause the nail to become thicker, pitted, or deformed. The thickness of toenails will not typically change without some kind of underlying cause.

When thick toenails are left untreated, they can cause pain. Some researchers believe almost twenty percent of adults have some form of nail fungus. Because the toes are more frequently in wet places than the hands, they're more susceptible to fungus, which will sometimes enter the site through a crack or abrasion in the nail. Because of this, individuals should watch for nail thickening after their toenail becomes damaged. They should try to limit moisture and exposure to unsanitary conditions if one of their toenails is damaged.

White Or Yellow Nails

When the fungus is visible underneath the nail, it often appears as a white or yellow patch of discoloration. The most common place to see it is underneath a toenail or fingernail. Individuals might have an easy time ignoring it, and they might not even notice it at first. Browning of the nails can also occur as the fungal infection continues. Nail psoriasis also involves browning and yellowing of the nails, so it may be difficult to tell which condition is present. Some patients can have both nail psoriasis and a fungal infection.

Yellow nails aren't always a sign of an underlying medical condition. The most common non-medical cause of yellowing nails is nail polish. If individuals wear nail polish frequently, the substances in it can cause permanent staining to the nails. This staining is harmless. In other cases, yellow nails might have non-fungal sources, such as an allergic reaction. More serious conditions that can cause yellowed nails include internal malignancies, chronic lung issues, rheumatoid arthritis, lymphatic obstructions, and liver disease.

Nails Separated From The Nail Bed

As the fungal infection progresses, it can cause the nails to become separated from the nail bed, a condition called onycholysis. The separation occurs gradually over some time. While the separation itself doesn't tend to cause pain, patients might experience pain as an additional symptom of the fungal infection. Separation of the nail bed isn't always caused by a fungal infection. In fact, the most common cause of this phenomenon is physical trauma. A single blow that damages the nail might cause separation, but individuals might also be surprised to know light and repetitive trauma can cause issues.

If individuals tap their long fingernails consistently against a counter or keyboard every day, they can cause damage. Onycholysis can be caused by the same injury or damage that leads to fungal infection. When the nail separates from the nail bed, it creates pockets of space that are vulnerable to bacteria. Bacteria and fungus sometimes enter the nail through perforations caused by manicure tools pushed too far underneath the nail bed.

Distorted Shape To The Nails

A fungal infection can cause a distorted shape to the nails over time. They begin to grow in ways other than straight, partially because of the fungus below the fibers and partially because of nail thickening causing problems. Nails might develop ridges, which are small and raised lines that develop either horizontally or vertically along the surface of the nail. Patients might notice their nail is pitted in one or more areas.

Pitting indicates the nail is unhealthy and may be crumbling. In serious cases, the nail can loosen entirely and fall off. Abnormally shaped fingernails can also be due to a condition called koilonychia, which causes the nail to become curved inward and develop raised ridges on the surface. In addition to fungal infections, this type of shape abnormality is commonly associated with anemia due to an iron deficiency.