How to determine the nail fungus and distinguish it from injury without seeing a doctor

7 March 2025

Nail fungusorOnycholisis- A common problem that is found in many people. It refers to nail diseases and can cause serious problems if not detected and not treated on time. At the same time, nail injury can mimic the symptoms of the fungus and cause confusion when diagnosed.

ButAsthe sameDistinguishNail fungusfromInjuries? The main signs of fungal damage to the nail are a change in color, texture and shape of the nails. The fungus often leads to the appearance of a yellow, brown or green hue in the affected nail. In addition, the nail can become more childish or more brittle. It is important to note that the fungus usually affects several nails on the legs or arms at the same time, and can also spread to adjacent areas of the skin.

On the other side,injuryThe nail can lead to a change in its appearance, but usually only one nail is striking, which was subject to impact or pressure. For example, if you have had nail injury as a result of the fall of a heavy object, the nail may change color, become wavy or have cracks. It is important to pay attention to the fact that when it injures the nail, there are usually no signs of damage to other nails or skin. The main characteristics and methods of diagnostics

It can be difficult to distinguish the nail fungus from the injury, as growth and appearance of the nail can be signs of both fungal infection and injury. However, there are several basic features that can help determine the causes of the problem.Nail onycholysis

One of the main signs of nail fungus is onycholysis, that is, like nail peeling from the nail bed. In case of injury, such exfoliation may not be and the nail can be damaged or there may be cracks that differ from the changes caused by the fungus.Changes in the appearance of the nail

Nail fungus can cause changes in the appearance of the nail, such as discoloration, boiling, peeling or deformation. In the case of injury, the nail plate can maintain its natural color and shape, but may be damaged or have traces of injury.

For a more accurate diagnosis and to determine the cause of the problem, it is recommended that you consult a dermatologist or mycologist, a specialist in fungal infections. The doctor may examine the nail, take a smear for analysis, or perform other necessary procedures to determine the presence of a fungal infection or injury.

Lower order:

It may be difficult to distinguish the nail fungus from injury, but signs such as onycholysis and changes in the appearance of the nail can help determine the causes of the problem. For a more accurate diagnosis, you should consult a dermatologist or mycologist.How to distinguish the nail fungus from injury:Nail fungus:

There is a change in the color and structure of the nails in the nail sponge, in general the toenails are affected by this disease.

Symptoms of nail fungus include thick, stubborn, yellowish or whitish nails, change in the shape of the nail and the presence of white or yellow spots.

The nail fungus occurs due to an infection with fungi that can penetrate under the nails through damaged skin or nails.Nail damage:

Nail damage can occur due to an accident or mechanical effect on the nail.

The distinctive signs of nail injury include bruising, bruising under the nail, detachment of the nail from the skin and a change in the shape of the nail.

Nail injury can lead to onycholysis (to remove the nail from his bed) or other changes that are not characteristic of the nail fungus.
Determining the cause of the change in the toenails can be difficult, so it is recommended that you consult a dermatologist or pediatrician to get an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.How to determine the nail sponge:
The fungus of the petal of the nails is often confused with injury to the legs. For proper diagnosis, it is necessary to take into account several basic functions that will help distinguish between the fungi from the injury. Onycholysis Craks: What is it?
Onycholysis is a local nail squad from the nails. At the same time, the nails often take on a convex shape and take yellow, orange or brown shade. Such changes are the first sign of the presence of a fungus.The difference between the fungus and the injury of the leg:

The nail fungus usually affects one or more nails on the legs, while injury can only affect one nail.

The fungus is characterized by the thickening and stratification of the nails, while with injury the nail can be curved or broken.

The fungus of the nail petal is often accompanied by itching, burning or pain, unlike the injury, which usually causes pain and swelling.
If you have a suspicion of having a nail fungus, it is recommended that you consult a dermatologist or mycologist to make a professional diagnosis and prescribe treatment.Nail fungus diagnostics methods:
If the nail fungus is suspected, it is important to make an accurate diagnosis to determine proper treatment. There are several methods that can help unlike nail fungus from other problems, such as injury or onholysis.Visual verification
One of the first steps in the diagnosis of nail sponge is a visual examination. The doctor analyzes the structure and color of the nail, evaluates its condition and external signs. Fungal nail infections are often accompanied by a change in color (such as jaundice or greenish tint), stratification, thickening of the nails, the appearance of white spots and combs on the surface of the nail. Separate symptoms may indicate other problems, so visual examination may be insufficient to determine the diagnosis.Microscopy
If the visual examination is not sufficient to determine the presence of a fungus, the doctor may take a sample of the nail and examine it with the help of microscopy. The microscopy method allows you to detect fungal elements (GIFs or disputes), which may indicate the presence of a fungal infection. This method is quite fast and simple, although its results can not always be quite accurate and reliable.
More accurate and reliable methods of diagnosing a nail sponge may include sowing a nutrient medium or PCR diagnostics (polymerase chain reaction) that allow you to determine the exact type of fungus and determine its sensitivity to various medicines. However, these methods generally require more time and financial resources.How to distinguish the nail sponge from onycholysis
Onycholysis is a condition of the nail that has a nail nail squad. Visually, onycholysis can look very similar to the nail fungus, but the causes and treatment of these conditions are different.
The main difference between nail fungus and onycholysis are the causes of development. The nail fungus is caused by an infection with a fungus, which is sitting under the nails and begins to destroy it. Onycholysis is the result of nail injury, such as traumatic breakage of the bed from the nails.
Another way to distinguish the nail fungus from onycholysis is to analyze the symptoms. With the nail fungus there is a change in the color of the nail (often it turns yellowish or greenish), the thickness and texture of the nail plate change, the nail can become fragile and brittle. With onycholysis, nail problems are usually limited only to exfoliating the box, without changes in the color or structure of the nails.
If you have a suspicion of a nail or onycholysis fungus, it is recommended that you consult a dermatologist. He will look at the nails, maybe he will take a grease for more analysis. Using a microscopy or sowing of a nutrient medium, the doctor will be able to determine whether you have fungal nail damage or problems with onycholysis.
In any case, it is necessary to pay attention to the condition of your nails and at the first suspicions of the nail fungus or onycholysis, do not put the trip to the doctor. Only a qualified specialist will be able to make the right diagnosis and prescribe effective treatment.