Toenail fungus often starts with mild nail discoloration or lifting. It’s not usually serious, but the nails may thicken, become brittle, or fall off without treatment.
Nail fungus (onychomycosis) is fairly common, affecting more than
It usually isn’t a significant concern — it may happen to just about everyone. But when it overgrows, an infection can occur.
Here’s what to know about the stages of toenail fungus and how to treat it before it worsens.
Nail fungus may happen on the fingernails or toenails, though it’s more common on the toes. People with fungal toenail infections often have an infection like athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) or ringworm between the toes.
Early stage
The earliest stage of toenail fungus typically involves:
- slight yellow, whitish, or brownish nail discoloration
- subtle nail bed lifting
- some mild nail thickening
Moderate stage
In the moderate stage, you might notice:
- more intense nail discoloration and thickening
- brittle or crumbly nails
- mild pain or discomfort
Advanced stage
When nail fungus is advanced, you may have:
- severe nail thickening, discoloration, and structural changes
- nail crumbling
- nearly complete nail detachment from the nail bed
- chronic pain or difficulty walking
A chronic nail fungus health concern may cause:
- complete nail detachment and damage
- severe pain
- a lower likelihood of nail regrowth
- a higher chance of infection spreading to surrounding nails
Although some people mistake nail psoriasis for nail fungus, the two conditions are different. Nail psoriasis typically has a pinkish, reddish, or purplish tone.
Rarely, people may mistake melanoma for nail fungus. Although melanoma may be difficult to detect, the nails usually have more extreme pigmentation changes, such as brown or black color bands on the nail.
Speak with a healthcare professional if you experience nail changes. They can examine your symptoms and provide a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Treating the fungus as soon as possible prevents it from growing and destroying your nail. The timeline of the fungal progression typically looks like this:
- Early stage: 4 to 6 weeks
- Moderate stage: 2 to 3 months
- Advanced stage: occurs after the infection persists for at least 6 months
- Chronic stage: may start after 1 year
It may take 12 to 18 months before fresh growth fully replaces the damaged nail. When you start to see healthy nail growth from the base of the nail (after treatment), it shows your body has cleared the infection.
Fungus thrives in moist environments. With that in mind, several things may cause or worsen toenail fungus, including:
- tight-fitting shoes
- sweaty feet, mainly when confined inside shoes
- damp socks
- shared towels, shoes, or nail clippers
- warm, humid environments
- limited foot hygiene
- bare feet in public pools, showers, etc.
- feet remaining wet after bathing
- nail polish used on the infection
Other things that may increase your risk of nail fungus include:
Since fungus is usually present on the body, experts typically consider toenail fungus a cosmetic concern in its earliest stages.
But as it worsens, it can cause more severe health concerns. For that reason, they recommend treating it as soon as possible.
Medical treatment options for toenail fungus include:
- antifungal tablets
- antifungal nail cream
- nail-softening cream (so you can help scrape off the infection)
- laser treatment
- medical removal of the nail (in case of a severe infection)
Several home remedies may be effective for nail fungus, including:
- topical ointments containing menthol, such as Vicks VapoRub
- tea tree oil
- apple cider vinegar
- essential oils
If you have a weakened immune system, it’s a good idea to speak with a healthcare professional about treatment instead of trying to treat it on your own. Also, contact a doctor if the infection is severe or spreads to other nails.
A sign that your nail fungus is healing is when the base of your nail is new and healthy. It may take a few months for nail fungus treatment to start working.
It may take 12 to 18 months for a nail fungus infection to completely clear up.
Your nail fungus may be getting worse if the nail is more discolored, thick, brittle, and crumbly. In more severe cases, the nail may start to detach from the nail bed or make walking difficult.
It’s best to speak with a healthcare professional before cutting off a toenail with fungus. In severe cases, they may cut your toenail to help clear some of the infection, but this will only be effective if combined with other treatments.
Toenail fungus often starts as subtle nail discoloration or lifting, but it can thicken, become brittle, and cause nail loss without treatment. Detecting it early, practicing foot hygiene, and using antifungal tablets or creams can help stop its progression.
Though common, toenail fungus can become painful. Home remedies like tea tree oil may be effective, but always contact a healthcare professional if it affects your daily activities.