What are some common signs of a fungal nail infection?

The presence of separation from the nail bed and discoloration is a hallmark of a fungal nail infection. This occurs as the infection can cause the nail to become brittle, leading to it lifting away from the nail bed. Discoloration often manifests as a yellow, brown, or white appearance that is usually distinct from the healthy, pinkish hue of unaffected nails.

In contrast, increased shine and smooth texture are typically not associated with fungal infections. Instead, fungal infections often create a rough or crumbly nail surface. A lack of any symptoms would suggest that there is no active infection present, which contradicts the premise of the question about identifying fungal nail infections. Lastly, bright redness and swelling are more indicative of a bacterial infection or acute inflammation rather than a fungal infection, which typically does not present with significant redness or swelling.