How is onychomycosis typically identified?

Onychomycosis, a fungal infection of the nails, is typically identified by the presence of whitish patches on the nail plate. These patches are indicative of fungal activity affecting the keratin in the nail. The nails may also become thicker, discolored, and brittle as the infection progresses. Recognizing these whitish patches is crucial for diagnosis, as they are a common visual symptom associated with the condition.

Other symptoms of onychomycosis can include yellow or brown discoloration, but the specific identification often involves observing these whitish patches. This characteristic can help differentiate onychomycosis from other nail disorders that may present similarly but usually have different visual cues.