What causes fungal nail infections?

Fungi that thrive in warm, moist environments such as inside shoes or communal areas.

What is an ingrown nail?

An ingrown nail occurs when the edge of the nail grows into the surrounding skin, causing pain, swelling and sometimes infection.

An infection of the skin surrounding the nail, often causing redness, swelling and tenderness around the nail fold.

Can fungal nail infections spread?

Yes. If left untreated, fungal infections may spread to other nails or nearby skin.

Are nail infections painful?

Some nail conditions, particularly ingrown nails or paronychia, may cause pain and discomfort.

How long does treatment for fungal nail infections take?

Because nails grow slowly, treatment may take several weeks to months depending on severity.

Can ingrown nails be treated without surgery?

Mild cases may be managed conservatively, but more severe cases may require minor medical procedures.

How can nail problems be prevented?

Proper nail hygiene, well-fitting footwear and correct trimming reduce the risk.

When should I consult a dermatologist?

If a nail becomes painful, discoloured, thickened or persistently inflamed.

Concern · Nail Changes & Discolouration

Dermatologist-Led Care for Nail Disorders

Safe and effective treatment for nail infections, ingrown nails and nail changes.

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Own Skin Dermatology & Advanced Aesthetics · Camp, Pune

Nail Changes & Discolouration, dermatology care in Camp, Pune

Diagnosis before treatment, always
Plans built for Indian skin and hair types
Camp, Pune · 11:00 AM – 07:00 PM

Understanding the concern

What are nail concerns?

Nail concerns cover a range of conditions affecting the appearance, structure or health of the fingernails or toenails. Healthy nails are smooth, uniform in colour and firmly attached to the nail bed; infections, injury, pressure from footwear or underlying conditions may change this.

Common concerns include discolouration, thickened or brittle nails, pain or swelling around the nail edge, nails growing into the surrounding skin, redness or infection around the nail folds, and changes in nail shape or texture. The most frequent conditions are fungal nail infections, ingrown nails (onychocryptosis) and paronychia.

Nail problems may cause discomfort while walking, wearing footwear or in daily activities, and untreated infections may worsen or spread. A dermatologist can examine the nail and surrounding tissue to identify the cause and recommend treatment.

Possible causes

Causes of nail changes & discolouration

Several internal and external factors may contribute to this concern.

Because nail problems can resemble each other visually, proper diagnosis by a dermatologist helps ensure correct treatment.

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01Fungal infections affecting the nail
02Tight or poorly fitting footwear
03Nail injuries or trauma
04Improper nail trimming
05Excess moisture or prolonged exposure to damp environments
06Repeated pressure on toenails during walking or sports
07Bacterial or fungal infection around the nail folds
08Underlying skin conditions affecting the nails

Types

Types of nail concerns

01
Fungal nail infection (onychomycosis)
The nail becomes discoloured, thickened or brittle: yellow, white or brown: and may separate from the nail bed as the infection progresses.
02
Ingrown nail (onychocryptosis)
The nail edge grows into the surrounding skin, commonly on the big toe, causing pain, redness, swelling and sometimes infection.
03
Paronychia
An infection of the skin surrounding the nail fold, appearing as redness, swelling, tenderness or pus around the nail edge.
04
Nail trauma
Impact, pressure or repeated friction may cause thickening, discoloration or nail detachment.
05
Nail discolouration
Changes in colour due to infections, trauma, certain medications or underlying skin conditions.
06
Thickened or deformed nails
Unusually thick, rough or distorted nails that may affect comfort when wearing footwear.

Treatment options

Solutions at Own Skin

Dermatologist-led solutions tailored to your skin type, concern severity and underlying causes.

At Own Skin, every treatment plan is personalised after a detailed skin analysis to ensure safety and long-term results.

Antifungal treatments
Medical nail procedures
Laser-based nail treatments
Dermatological management of ingrown nails
Treatment for nail fold infections

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Your treatment journey

From first consultation to review

A structured pathway, so you know what happens at every visit.

Your dermatologists

Assessed and supervised by a dermatologist.

Every plan at Own Skin begins with a dermatologist's assessment of your skin, history and goals, the treatment, settings and session spacing are decided from that, not from a menu.

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Questions

Frequently asked questions

Related concerns

Concern
Nail Fungal Infections
Slow to treat, easy to misdiagnose, confirmation matters.
Concern
Ingrown & Brittle Nails
Painful edges and splitting nails, assessed properly.
Concern
Acne & Breakouts
Breakouts are common, treatable and rarely about cleanliness.

Get nail changes & discolouration assessed by a dermatologist in Camp, Pune.

Clinic: Camp, Pune
Timings: Monday to Sunday · 11:00 AM – 07:00 PM
Call: +91 86000 04399 / +91 94200 91093
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Medically reviewed by Dr Ankita Shah, Lead Dermatologist · Last reviewed 12 March 2026. This page is general information, not a diagnosis or a recommendation. Suitability, session counts and outcomes vary between individuals and are confirmed only after clinical assessment.