What are the symptoms of gray nail (onychomycosis)?
Disease description:
I've noticed that my toenails look a bit like they might have fungal infection, but sometimes I'm not sure. I'd like to learn more about the signs of nail fungus. What are the symptoms of onychomycosis?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Xiaoyan
The symptoms of onychomycosis (fungal nail infection) mainly include the following aspects:
1. Color changes: The nail color gradually changes from normal to gray, grayish-brown, or yellowish-brown; in severe cases, it may turn black.
2. Shape changes: The nail may become uneven and distorted, with a rough surface and loss of natural luster.
3. Increased thickness: Nails affected by onychomycosis are typically 1 to 3 times thicker than normal nails due to excessive proliferation of keratin in the nail plate caused by fungal infection.
4. Brittleness and fragility: Affected by the fungus, nails may become brittle and prone to splitting or crumbling.
5. Other symptoms: Some patients may experience more severe conditions such as separation of the nail from the nail bed, lifting of the nail plate, atrophy, or even complete nail loss.
Onychomycosis presents with diverse symptoms. Once any signs are noticed, prompt medical consultation is recommended to receive proper diagnosis and professional treatment.
