What is it?
Onychomycosis, also known as tinea unguium, is fungal infection of the nails.
What are the symptoms?
The manifestations of onychomycosis include:
- Nail discoloration which can be described as whitish or yellowish.
- Thickened nails.
- Nail separation from the nail bed.
What to expect?
Onychomycosis can be treated by self-care measures. Try the following:
- Try over-the-counter antifungal nail creams and ointments. Several products are available. If you notice white markings on the surfaces of the nails, file them off, soak your nails in water, dry them, and apply the medicated cream or lotion.
- Trim and thin the nails. This helps reduce pain by reducing pressure on the nails. Also, if you do this before applying an antifungal, the drug can reach deeper layers of the nail.