Fungus Toenails

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Nail fungus is a common condition that begins as a white or yellow  spot under the tip of your fingernail or toenail. As the fungal  infection goes deeper, nail fungus may cause your nail to discolor,  thicken and crumble at the edge. It can affect several nails.

If your condition is mild and not bothering you, you may not need  treatment. If your nail fungus is painful and has caused thickened  nails, self-care steps and medications may help. But even if treatment  is successful, nail fungus often comes back.

Nail fungus is also called onychomycosis (on-ih-koh-my-KOH-sis). When  fungus infects the areas between your toes and the skin of your feet,  it's called athlete's foot (tinea pedis).

Fungal nail infections are caused by various fungal organisms  (fungi). The most common cause is a type of fungus called dermatophyte.  Yeast and molds also can cause nail infections.

Fungal nail infection can develop in people at any age, but it's more  common in older adults. As the nail ages, it can become brittle and  dry. The resulting cracks in the nails allow fungi to enter. Other  factors — such as reduced blood circulation to the feet and a weakened  immune system — also may play a role.

Toenail fungal infection can start from athlete's foot (foot fungus),  and it can spread from one nail to another. But it is uncommon to get  an infection from someone else.

You may have nail fungus if one or more of your nails are:

• Thickened
• Whitish to yellow-brown discoloration
• Brittle, crumbly or ragged
• Distorted in shape
• A dark color, caused by debris building up under your nail
• Smelling slightly foul

Nail fungus can affect fingernails, but it's more common in toenails.

You may want to see a physician if self-care steps haven't helped and  the nail becomes increasingly discolored, thickened or deformed. Also  see a doctor if you have diabetes and think you're developing nail  fungus. 

Factors that can increase your risk of developing nail fungus include:

• Being older, owing to reduced blood flow, more years of exposure to fungi and slower growing nails
• Sweating heavily
• Having a history of athlete's foot
• Walking barefoot in damp communal areas, such as swimming pools, gyms and shower rooms
• Having a minor skin or nail injury or a skin condition, such as psoriasis
• Having diabetes, circulation problems or a weakened immune system

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A severe case of nail fungus can be painful and may cause permanent  damage to your nails. And it may lead to other serious infections that  spread beyond your feet if you have a suppressed immune system due to  medication, diabetes or other conditions.

If you have diabetes, you may have reduced blood circulation and  nerve supply in your feet. You're also at greater risk of a bacterial  skin infection (cellulitis). So any relatively minor injury to your feet  — including a nail fungal infection — can lead to a more serious  complication. See your doctor if you have diabetes and think you're  developing nail fungus.