Thickening and color change in fingernails

[pazith]

Hi,
For about a year now two finger nails on my left hand have become thicker,
and yellow/whiter. It started from the corners and now covers most of the fingernail.
Lately i can see it starting on the right hand's index finger too.

It is difficult to cut these nails, and they have more mass on the inside.
When cutting them, or removing some of the surface, they have an odor though, not very serious.

I have had two tests for fungus where parts of the fingernail would be removed and some more would be scratched off the fingernail but they came out negative.

1. Would that be sufficient to decide there is not fungus or candida?
2. Can these be changes due to trauma? (When i cut my nails i sometime don't cut till the corner but rather almost and then pull the fingernail, and this thing does start from the corners).
3. Can this be an infection?
4. What other tests can be made?

I am 27 years old male and healthy.

Also, is there danger in using these fingers for food or intimacy?

Thanks

[franz2007]

I had been experiencing same condition on my left and right hands fingernail (both thumb and index finger, rest of my fingernails started to thicken too). They are thickening, test result is negative for fungus, the doctor told me to use Canesten. Last four months is ok, the coloring gone, but now its coming back. Then I just notice, that my nose, ears, navel and even my anus started to become itchy. I do not know if it is related to my fingernails.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Such kind of nail thickening and color change can be due to trauma or nail fungal infection also. Nail fungus also known as Onychomycosis is very common but hard to treat because of the location of the fungus that happens to be under the nails. There are different ways to treat this infection, but recent studies suggest that using both topical and oral anti fungal medications at same time yields better result. First of all, you need to get the diagnosis confirmed from your doctor and get a KOH examination of the nail scrapings done to find out whether it is fungal infection.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care.