Fungal toenails are toenails that have become infected with one of a group of microorganisms we call fungus. This fungus is similar to the organism that causes athlete’s foot. As the fungus invades the nail and the nail bed, it may go unnoticed for a period of time because it is rarely painful. It usually appears at the nail edge and works its way under the nail, progressing back to the root of the toenail. Once it invades the root it begins to distort the way the nail grows and becomes more difficult to treat.

Treatment, if performed early, might simply be to clip away the problem portion of the nail and apply an antifungal cream. Once the conditioned has progressed, oral medications may be used with or without nail removal.