Toenail fungus—also called onychomycosis or tinea unguium—is an infection below the surface of the nail caused by contact with different types of fungi. Nail fungus usually begins with white or yellow spots under the tip of the toenails. If left untreated, the infection can grow deeper, which can cause the nail to become weak or brittle to the point that it eventually falls off.
Types of Common Fungal Nail Infections
In general, there are four types of fungal infections that affect the toes.
Distal subungual onychomycosis: This is the most commonly diagnosed and treated fungal infection. Also known as Athlete’s Foot, this infection spreads across the nail bed, which causes the nail to become discolored and weak.
White superficial onychomycosis: This fungal infection causes white patches to appear across the entire nail.
Candida onychomycosis: This chronic fungus is usually caused by trauma, and it causes the toenails to become bulbous or enlarged.
Proximal subungual onychomycosis: This fungal infection causes yellow or white spots to appear near the base of the toenail.
Signs & Symptoms of Toenail Fungus
Because there are varying types and levels of severity for toenail fungus, it’s important to have your condition diagnosed by a podiatric physician. If you are worried that you might be suffering from a fungal infection in your nails, perform a self-evaluation to look for the following common symptoms:
- Scaling under the nail
- Distorted nail
- White or yellow streaks on the nail
- Foul odor from the infected nail
- Crumbling corner or tip of nail
- Flaking white areas on the toenail’s surface
- Loss of the nail
Treatment of Fungal Toenails
Treatment isn’t always necessary. However, depending on the severity of your condition and other related issues, treatment may be recommended.
For mild cases of toenail fungus, conservative treatments are in order. These may include over the counter or prescription topical solutions or prescription oral medication. For patients who exhibit severe symptoms, or for those who do not respond to medication, the doctor may recommend nail avulsion surgery. During this procedure, the nail plate is removed and chemical treatments are introduced to treat the infection. Contact your podiatrist for more information or to schedule a consultation.