Signs and Symptoms of nail infection

Fungal infections of the nails are characterized by disfigurement of the nail to varying extent. The nail bed, matrix or the plates are the common sites of nail infection.

The signs and symptoms may vary with the area of the nail involved.

The end part (distal) of the nails and side (lateral) portions of the nails are most commonly infected and are characterized by whitish or chalky appearance of the nails.

The nail may become brittle and at times be separated from the underlying nail bed.

Although the nail infections are generally asymptomatic, these areas may at times become inflamed and be associated with pain. In severe cases, the whole nail plate may be destructed due to the fungal infection.

The nail infection may also be associated with another fungal infection of the feet known as tinea pedis.^1,2