Known medically as onychomycosis, fungal nail infections cause the nails to become discolored, thickened, distorted, and brittle. Affected nails may also cause pain when under pressure—from shoes, for example.
The toenails are affected more often than the fingernails. Most fungal nail infections result from the spread of fungi that cause athlete’s foot.
Treatment is with antifungal tablets, topical antifungal drugs, or by softening the nail and scraping away the infected areas. In severe cases, removal of the nail may be recommended.