Fungal toenail infections are relatively common. Like other fungal foot infections (athlete’s foot), it’s thought that the fungus can be picked up while walking barefoot in locker rooms or public shower facilities. Fungal infections can occur anywhere on the body, including the scalp, trunk, extremities (arms and legs), hands, feet, nails, groin, and other areas.

Fungal elements within the stratum corneum can usually be identified using periodic acid-Schiff or Gomori methenamine-silver stain but may be sparse or absent in inflammatory or interdigital tinea pedis complicated by secondary bacterial infection.