What are the early symptoms of onychomycosis?

March 27, 2025

Overcoming Onychomycosis™ By Scott Davis If you want a natural and proven solution for onychomycosis, you should not look beyond Overcoming Onychomycosis. It is easy to follow and safe as well. You will not have to take drugs and chemicals. Yes, you will have to choose healthy foods to treat your nail fungus. You can notice the difference within a few days. Gradually, your nails will look and feel different. Also, you will not experience the same condition again!


What are the early symptoms of onychomycosis?

The initial onychomycosis (fungal nail disease) symptoms vary depending on the type of infection but most commonly present as:

1. Discoloration
The nail may develop spots or streaks of white, yellow, or brown.

On white superficial onychomycosis, small white patches develop on the top surface of the nail.

On distal subungual onychomycosis, the end of the nail may become yellowish.

2. Nail Texture Changes
The nail may become hard, rough, or crumbly.

Minor nail thickening may make the nail feel less smooth.

3. Loss of Luster
The nail surface may be chalky or dull instead of clear and lustrous.

4. Mild Thickening
The nail may start to thicken a bit, but it may not be painful yet.

5. Mild Nail Distortion
At an early stage, the nail may lose its normal shape or develop slight ridges.

6. Nail Lifting (Onycholysis) – in Some Cases
The nail may begin to become loosened from the nail bed, starting at the end.

It is more likely to happen in distal subungual onychomycosis.

7. No Pain (Initially)
Onychomycosis isn’t painful when it first appears, but it might cause pain as the disease progresses.

Would you like to learn about early treatment options to prevent worsening?
How Onychomycosis Causes Nail Discoloration
Onychomycosis (fungal nail infection) causes discoloration of the nails due to fungal invasion, keratin degradation, and inflammation. The discoloration varies according to the fungus type, infection subtype, and severity.

1. Direct Fungal Invasion and Pigment Production
Dermatophytes (Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes) degrade keratin, leading to:

White spots (superficial white onychomycosis)

Yellow-brown pigmentation (distal subungual onychomycosis)

Non-dermatophyte molds (Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, Fusarium) and yeasts (Candida) may produce melanin-like dark pigments (brown, black, or green).

2. Keratin Degradation and Subungual Hyperkeratosis
Fungal enzymes (keratinases, proteases) degrade keratin, weakening the nail structure.

Keratin debris becomes trapped under the nail, causing yellow, brown, or chalky white coloration.

3. Inflammatory Response and Vascular Changes
The body’s immune response results in redness, vascular changes, and abnormal nail growth, leading to reddish or purplish coloration.

Green discoloration of nails due to pyocyanin pigment may be due to secondary bacterial infections (Pseudomonas aeruginosa).

4. Thickening of the Nails and Refraction of Light Changing
The thicken nail differentially reflects the light, increasing the yellow, brown, or cloudy appearance.

5. Nailing Plate Separation (Onycholysis)
If the nail peels away from the nail bed, air spaces and debris give the appearance of whiteness or yellowness.

Would you like advice to treat color shift in a given type of onychomycosis?

Overcoming Onychomycosis™ By Scott Davis If you want a natural and proven solution for onychomycosis, you should not look beyond Overcoming Onychomycosis. It is easy to follow and safe as well. You will not have to take drugs and chemicals. Yes, you will have to choose healthy foods to treat your nail fungus. You can notice the difference within a few days. Gradually, your nails will look and feel different. Also, you will not experience the same condition again!