How to take care of your nails: +Dos and Don’ts
Discover essential nail care tips with key dos and don’ts to keep your nails strong, healthy, and looking their best every day.
Stages of Nail Fungus: How to Recognize it and Treat it
Fungal nail infections don’t happen overnight. They build up over time, often starting with small changes before turning into something harder to ignore.
Knowing the different stages of nail fungus can help you take action early, before the problem becomes more complicated to treat. How to spot the signs, what to expect at each stage, and what are the most effective ways to treat toe fungus as it progresses, we explain below.
The Three Stages of Toenails
Fungal infections progress through three general stages, each with its own appearance, symptoms, and treatment needs.
Whether it starts as a small white spot or leads to thick toenails and discomfort, recognizing where you are in the process is key to finding the right treatment.
Early Stages
In the early stages, toenail fungus might not look like a big deal. You might notice a faint white or yellow spot near the edge of your nail. It doesn’t hurt, and it’s easy to ignore. But this is when treatment can be most effective.
Other early signs include:
- Slight discoloration (white, yellow, or even a pale brown)
- A bit of brittleness at the tip of the nail
- A subtle change in nail texture
- Nails that start to look dull or lose their shine
Common signs: White toenails, minimal thickening
How to Cure Toenail Fungus in the Early Stages
Early stage finger nail fungus and toenail infections are the easiest to treat. At this point, over-the-counter topical treatments can be highly effective if used consistently.
You can still use a topical treatment (e.g., Swissker Anti-Fungal Stick) at this stage. It’s easy to apply, mess-free, and specially designed to penetrate the nail.
To support the treatment, follow these tips:
- Keep nails trimmed, dry, and clean
- Dry feet thoroughly after bathing
- Change socks daily
- Avoid walking barefoot in damp public areas
Moderate Stages
When a toe fungus infection progresses, the nail may start to thicken, become more brittle, or lift away from the nail bed. Discoloration deepens, often turning yellow, brown, or even black, and the nail may take on a distorted shape.
At this stage, the infection is more stubborn. You might also notice:
- An unpleasant odor
- Flaking under or around the nail
- Pain when pressure is applied
- Cracks or splits in the nail
Common signs: Thick toenails, changes in shape.
How to Cure Toenail Fungus in the Moderate Stages
Treating toe fungus at a moderate stage takes more effort and consistency, but it’s still very possible to reverse the infection. You’ll need a targeted product and a disciplined routine.
Topical treatments like an antifungal stick, can still be effective, especially when paired with improved nail hygiene. Regular use, combined with trimming the nail back to remove infected areas, helps the treatment penetrate more deeply.
Daily care should include:
- Disinfecting tools and shoes after each use
- Wearing breathable shoes and moisture-wicking socks
- Avoiding polish or artificial nails until the infection clears
Advanced Stages
When toenail fungus reaches its advanced stage, the infection is deep and widespread. The nail may be severely discolored, black, brown, or dark yellow, and could become crumbly or even detach from the nail bed. Pain is more likely, especially when walking or wearing shoes.
Common signs at this point include:
- Very thickened nails that are hard to trim
- Severe brittleness or flaking
- Noticeable odor
- Inflammation or irritation around the nail
Common signs: Distorted fingernails, blackened toenails.
How to Cure Toenail Fungus in the Advanced Stages
Dealing with advanced toenail fungus usually means combining multiple strategies. At this point, at-home treatments alone are unlikely to fully clear the infection.
Your healthcare provider may recommend prescription oral antifungals. In some cases, laser treatment is an option.
You can still support the healing process at home by:
- Keeping feet dry and clean
- Using topical antifungal treatment
- Trimming back the nail with disinfected nail tools
Comparison Between Stages
Here’s a quick breakdown of the different stages of nail fungus.
| Early Stage | Moderate Stage | Advance Stage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | White toenails or yellow spots | Spreading discoloration, thicker nails | Nail darkening, crumbly or detached |
| Texture | Smooth with slight changes | Noticeable thickening and brittleness | Severe thickening, crumbling, nail distaches itself from nail bed |
| Color | White/yellow spots | Yellow/brown | Dark brown/black |
| Pail Level | None | Mild | Moderate-high |
| Discomfort | none | Mild discomfort when walking | Frequent pain or pressure |
| Spread | Confined part of one nail | Spreads across the nail or to other toes | Multiple nails are affected |
| Treatment | Topical antifungal products | Topical antifungal treatment can be combined with oral treatment | Prescription meds or other advanced treatment |
| Recovery Signs | Color lightens, growth improves | Less thick, fewer flakes | All the signs of dying fungus on toenails |
Factors That Worsen Toenail Fungus
Not treating toe fungus early can make it harder to manage. These factors might be making it worse:
- Wearing tight, sweaty shoes
- Skipping daily foot hygiene
- Using unclean nail tools
- Sharing towels and nail tools
- Walking barefoot in public areas
- Using nail polish on the infection area
- Diabetes
- Weakened immune system
Pro tip: Prevention matters as much as treatment, especially after recovering from fungus.
How To Treat Toenail Fungus
No matter the stages of nail fungus, a targeted cure approach can make all the difference. Here’s how to treat it effectively:
- Trim with precision: Use clean, high-quality tools like heavy duty clippers to remove thickened or damaged parts of the nail.
- Apply antifungal treatments: For early to moderate stages, topical options are easy to apply and effective when used consistently.
- Be consistent with hygiene and treatment: Treat daily and don’t stop until new, healthy nail growth is visible.
- Consult a professional: If you see no improvement or the fungus spreads, it may be time to ask your doctor about oral medication or advanced treatments.
If you’re seeing ongoing discoloration, brittle nails, or slow growth, it’s best to monitor your nail health closely. Keeping your tools clean and applying a protective product can help support recovery, even if a fungal infection isn’t the root cause.
Adrian Fuentes
Lead Product Engineer
With a strong background in engineering and a passion for creating user-focused solutions, Adrian leads the Swissker development team with precision and innovation. Over the past decade, he has helped design and refine tools that combine cutting-edge technology with everyday practicality. Adrian is dedicated to improving quality of life through well-engineered, safe, and effective solutions, backed by rigorous research and a deep understanding of user needs. When not in the lab, he stays current with emerging trends in personal care, wellness, and health-tech innovation to ensure every product meets the highest standards.
Table of Contents
- 01. How to Recognize it and Treat it
- 02. The Three Stages of Toenails
- 03. Early Stages
- 04. How to Cure Fungus in the Early Stages
- 05. Moderate Stages
- 06. How to Cure Fungus in Moderate Stages
- 07. Advanced Stages
- 08. How to Cure in the Advanced Stages
- 09. Comparison Between Stages
- 10. Factors That Worsen Toenail Fungus
- 11. How To Treat Toenail Fungus
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4.9
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A roll-on solution that kills drug-resistant fungus on contact.
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Achieve salon-quality smoothness and a dazzling natural shine
From $12.99
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