Definition: A nail fungal infection, also known as onychomycosis, is a common condition caused by fungi that invade the nails, resulting in discoloration, thickening, and crumbling of the nails.

Causes: Fungal infections are typically caused by dermatophytes, a group of fungi that thrive in warm and moist environments. Other types of fungi, such as yeast or molds, can also lead to nail infections. Common risk factors include walking barefoot in public places, sharing personal items like nail clippers or shoes, having sweaty feet, or having a compromised immune system.

Differential Diagnosis: Nail fungal infections can resemble other nail conditions, such as nail psoriasis, eczema, or bacterial infections. To make an accurate diagnosis, a healthcare professional may perform a physical examination, take a nail sample for laboratory testing, or use other diagnostic methods.

Treatment: Treatment options for nail fungal infections include topical antifungal medications, oral antifungal medications, Nd- Yag laser or a combination of all In some cases, the infected nail may need to be partially or completely removed. Treatment can take several weeks or
months, as new healthy nail growth replaces the infected