Fungal Nail Infections - What Happens

Fungal infections are classified by where they begin and what they affect. Most fungal nail infections affect the skin under the nail (nail bed) and the nail itself (nail plate).

 

Fungal nail infections typically get worse, or progress, very slowly. The rate at which a fungal infection progresses depends on:

• Your overall health and susceptibility to the infection.
• The levels of humidity and heat in your environment.
• The type of nail infected. Fungal nail infections of the toenail have more time to grow and spread, because toenails grow more slowly than fingernails.

How does fungal nail infection harm you?

You may first notice a fungal nail infection when a nail or skin under the nail (nail bed) becomes discolored, damaged, thickened, or broken. If not treated, a fungal infection is likely to get worse and spread to other parts of the nail, the nail bed, and possibly the surrounding skin. Over time, the whole nail may become infected and damaged and may eventually fall out.