Fungal nail infections (medically known as onychomycosis) usually start as a white or yellow streak under the tip of your finger or toenail. You may begin to feel uncomfortable or experience pain as the infection spreads – your infected nail usually changes appearance and becomes brittle, discoloured, and crumbles easily. Fungal nail infections are contagious, and although it can be embarrassing it is important for you to treat it as soon as you spot the symptoms because it will not clear up on its own.
Common symptoms of fungal nail infection are :
- White or yellow streaks on the nail
- Thick, rough, or brittle nail
- Loss of luster and shine
- Crumbling or jagged nail edges
- Loosening or lifting up of the nail
- Change in nail shape
- Debris trapped under the nail
80% of fungal nail infections occur on toenails.
Don’t just paint over the problem - 85% of nail infections occur under the nail plate, on the nail bed .