Tennessee Cosmetology Practice Exam

What are the common signs of fungal nail infections?

1. Redness and swelling

2. Brittleness and splitting

3. Discoloration, crumbling, and thickening of the nail

4. Excessive shine and smoothness

The correct answer is: Discoloration, crumbling, and thickening of the nail

The common signs of fungal nail infections primarily include discoloration, crumbling, and thickening of the nail. Fungal infections typically affect the appearance and integrity of the nail, leading to changes such as a yellow or brown discoloration as the fungi invade the nail bed. As the infection progresses, the nail may begin to crumble due to decay and degradation of the nail structure, which can also lead to thickening as the body responds to the infection. In contrast, options highlighting excessive shine and smoothness or focusing solely on redness and swelling are less relevant to fungal infections. These signs are more typically associated with other conditions such as bacterial infections or trauma, rather than the distinct characteristics of a fungal infection. Brittleness and splitting may occur, but they are not the hallmark signs of fungal infections, which are primarily defined by the changes in color and texture noted.