What are the symptoms of a bacterial nail infection?

The symptoms of a bacterial nail infection include discoloration, odor, and the presence of pus under the nail. This is because bacterial infections typically lead to the accumulation of pus as the body fights off the bacteria, and this can also result in a foul smell. Discoloration often occurs as the infection progresses, indicating that the tissue is affected.

While other symptoms can be present in different types of nail issues, such as redness and swelling associated with other conditions or pain from various nail problems, the combination of symptoms listed here is most characteristic of a bacterial infection. White streaks appearing on the nail are generally associated with other issues, such as fungal infections or specific health conditions, rather than a bacterial infection specifically.