Comparing your symptoms with onychomycosis pictures might be a little tricky because these images often show advanced cases. Your description of thick, yellow, brittle nails could indeed indicate early stages of onychomycosis, but it’s quite possible it could also be nail psoriasis or even something else like trauma. Without physical examination, it’s hard to be sure just by pictures.
Different types of fungal infections can look similar, so it’s important to note other symptoms too. If you’re noticing any foot odor, itching, or white chalk-like substance under nails, it may align more with athlete’s foot impacting nails, whereas psoriasis might also involve skin changes or pitting in nails.
For Ayurvedic remedies, yes, herbs like neem and tea tree oil have been recommended due to their anti-fungal properties. You can apply a few drops of diluted tea tree oil directly on the nails twice a day. Mix it with a carrier oil like coconut oil to avoid irritation. For neem, making a paste from neem leaves and applying it to the nails could help. Let it sit for about 30 minutes before rinsing.
It’s also important to address the underlying imbalance in your body. Focus on enhancing your agni (digestive fire) with herbs like trikatu (a combination of ginger, black pepper, and long pepper) to detoxify the body and strengthen your immune system. Reducing sugar intake and consuming more bitter foods can also prevent fungal growth.
Regularly trim and file the nails to reduce thickness and alternate your footwear to allow the feet to breathe. If it persists, consulting a dermatologist can provide a definitive diagnosis. While pictures can guide you somewhat, see them as pieces of the puzzle rather than a concrete answer. They can mislead without a proper context. Get someone specialized, or consult an Ayurveda practitioner to tailor a plan for you.
