Fungal Nail Infection

A fungal nail infection, also known as onychomycosis, is the invasion of the nail by fungi that make it thick, brittle, and discolored. It most often affects the toenails and tends to progress slowly.

Common symptoms:

• Change in color, toward yellowish or whitish tones
• Thickening and fragility of the nail
• Lifting of the edge and, at times, a foul odor

Which specialist should you see? A dermatologist is the one who evaluates and confirms the presence of the fungus; in children it is treated by a pediatric dermatologist, and a general practitioner can provide guidance at a first visit. When there are other associated infections, an infectious disease specialist gets involved.

When should you seek care? If the nail changes in appearance and does not improve, a professional evaluation helps confirm the cause, since other conditions can look similar.