How to Identify Fingernail Fungus

Identifying fingernail fungus, also called onychomycosis, can be easy if you know what it is you're looking for. The symptoms that you may be able to identify on your own may warrant a visit to a doctor's office where a definite diagnosis can be made.

Things You'll Need

• Pointed nail file

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Instructions

• 1

  Inspect the nail looking for color, thickness, texture, the shape of the nail and the number of nails affected. Fingernail fungus usually renders nails an off-white to yellow color. There may also be black spots under the tips of the nail. An infected nail will also be very thick, often many times thicker than a normal nail. An infected nail will likely have ridges, a malformed shape and may be separated from the nail bed. If all of the nails are affected, onychomycosis is unlikely to be the culprit.

• 2

  Inspect the nail using your fingers and the pointed nail file. A nail infected with fungus will be rough, wavy and may flake when scratched with a fingernail. Use the nail file to scrape under the nail looking for a white, flaky and often cheese-like material. Remove a nail clipping and attempt to split it to see if the nail is brittle or layers of the thickened nail peel apart from one another. These are all characteristics of a fungal infection.

• 3

  Make an appointment with your doctor. There are different conditions that may mimic or exacerbate some onychomycosis symptoms. Diagnostic testing may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis or ascertain whether or not a secondary condition could be a complication.