Nail Fungus Infections: What to Look For

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Nail fungus infections are difficult to treat. Whether treatment is by topical treatment or oral antifungal drug many months are needed before you can consider yourself fungus free. Nails only grow around 1mm per month which means it can take 12 months for a complete health cycle. Many sufferers give up on their treatments well before a new nail has grown out. The infection is a progressive disorder which means that the earlier you embark on a nail fungus treatment course with a product such as Zetaclear or Funginix, the more quickly you’ll be able to rid yourself of the infection. With that in mind this article provides insights into the signs of fungal infections so that you can easily recognize the condition and start therapy as soon as possible. Though nail fungus infections can vary in appearance, they share common characteristics. There are three main categories that are useful in detailing the different ways the disorder can appear on the nail: color, texture, and spread.

Color Changes

Common nail discolorations include yellow, brown or white. Sometimes the affected nail can even take on a greenish tinge. Discoloration can be slight, especially if the fungus is located on the underside of the nail (a ‘subungal’ position). Even if the infection is moderate, there might only be small opaque marks on top of the nail. That’s why it is important to look for other symptoms, such as debris under the nail and changes in texture.

Texture Changes

Nail fungus infections usually result in nail shape distortion. A common distortion is where the nail becomes ribbed and thickened. It’s also possible that the edges of the nail might start to crumble or peel. In more advanced forms of the disease, the nail can thicken and begin to lift off the nail bed.

Spread Over The Nail

Some fungus infections may start at the top or distal edge of the nail bed (i.e. the tip of the nail). Fungus infections that area limited to this area tends to be easier to treat. As the disease progresses, the fungus typically runs along one side of the nail towards the crescent shaped ‘lanula’ at the base of the nail. Infections can eventually spread to cover the entire nail becoming progressively more difficult to treat.

The guidelines above should be used to check for nail fungus infections. Look for discolorations, distortions, or texture changes. If anything looks suspicious, remember to check with your doctor or another medical health professional before deciding on a course of treatment.