What Does Toenail Fungus Look Like?

What does toenail fungus look like? Go wash your feet. You will to need to examine your toenails very closely, and you probably do not want to get too close to dirty, stinky feet.

One of the most common forms of toenail fungus is athlete's foot, but it's far from the only form. Toenail fungus is a general term that can cover many different conditions. Regardless of the exact name, a toenail fungus is when a fungal organism infects the area in, around or under the toenail.

Signs of Toenail Fungus
Toenail fungus can start out without the slightest indication. As it festers, though, more and more symptoms will appear. It may take only one or all of the following symptoms to indicate you have toenail fungus.

• Discoloration on the toenail may be a sign of toenail fungus. The nail may turn yellow or brown. If the nail is black and blue, it's probably a skin injury, not a fungal infection. If the nail has turned from yellow to black, it may be a sign of a serious fungal infection.

• Thickened toenails, or nails that are suddenly growing thicker than usual, can be a sign of toenail fungus.  The thickening can cause the nail to become bumpy and dull, as well as distort the natural nail shape. 

• Separation of the toenail and the nail bed can occur with a bad toenail fungus infection. This can cause slight discomfort to extreme pain, especially when pressure is applied to the area. It may also cause a mild odor to emit from the infected area.

Toenail Fungus Treatment
If you discover you do have a toenail fungus problem, you need to know there is no permanent nail fungus cure. Toenail fungus can be a repetitive problem, but treatments are available to cure the single infection.

If your toenail fungus problem is minor, you can try an antifungal nail cream or powder to fix the issue. If your toenail fungus issue is serious, you may need to visit a doctor and ask about a prescription for oral antifungal medication. If the toenail fungus is severe, you may need the doctor to remove the entire nail to get rid of the fungus.