Thick toenails are often caused by fungal infections (onychomycosis), injury/trauma (even from tight shoes), aging, or underlying conditions like psoriasis, diabetes, and poor circulation, with fungus and repeated pressure being the most common culprits that damage the nail matrix, causing it to thicken as a protective response or due to infection.
Toenails thicken with age because the growth rate of the nail plate slows. Other reasons toenails may thicken include: A common skin condition called psoriasis. It causes cells to build up rapidly on the surface of the skin.
Treatment for thickened toenails
Treatment involves cutting the nails and reducing the thickness with a special file or burr. Our podiatrists also have special tools that can help remove callus or corns from underneath the nail plate or sulcus which is a common cause of pain.
Thick toe nails can be managed using an emery board and filing your nails. This will stunt nail growth and keep them manageable. Gently file each nail across the thickened part 2-3 time weekly to reduce the thickness. The best time to do this is when the nail is dry, before a bath or shower.
If the toenail fungus progresses, it can go deeper into the nail, causing discoloration, thick white stuff under the toenail (keratin debris), nail thickening and crumbling, and even transmission to surrounding nails.
Vitamin or Mineral Deficiencies
Thick, discolored toenails may be a sign of inadequate nutrition or an underlying condition like anemia.
Podiatrists are trained medical professionals specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of foot and ankle disorders, including nail abnormalities.
Toenails grow about two millimeters per month, so your loved one may need a trim every six to eight weeks. Alternatively, some people are comfortable with cutting the nails of their loved one (especially if there are no nail problems that make cutting more difficult) but choose to visit Dr.
If toenail fungus (onychomycosis) goes untreated, the nail becomes thicker, brittle, discolored, and may crumble, causing pain and difficulty walking, and it can spread to other nails or skin, potentially leading to serious bacterial infections like cellulitis, especially for those with diabetes or weakened immunity, and can even cause permanent nail damage or loss.
If you want to try this remedy, apply a bit of Vicks Vaporub to your affected toenails daily. It can still take several weeks to a couple of months for results to appear.
Poor Circulation
Reduced blood flow to the feet, often seen with aging, diabetes, or peripheral vascular disease, can alter nail growth and thickness. Thickened nails may be an early sign of circulation problems.
What are the signs and symptoms of thickened toenails? The toenail will appear thick, and in most cases discoloured. It may feel bruised or tender due to the pressure.
To permanently kill toenail fungus, you need professional treatment, with oral antifungal medications like terbinafine (Lamisil) being the most effective for clearing the infection, though they require months of use and liver monitoring. Prescription topical creams (e.g., Jublia, Kerydin) and medicated nail polishes (Penlac) are also options, often used with nail thinning or combined with oral meds. Laser therapy can be effective by heating the fungus but isn't a first-line treatment and lacks strong evidence for a permanent cure.
An ill-advised barefoot romp around the pool deck or even a pedicure gone wrong may be all the fungi need to gain access to the space underneath a toenail. Once there, the fungi set about their task of “mining” your nail for nutrients—and leaving it discolored, thickened, misshapen, and more.
A podiatrist can treat the infection effectively and thoroughly with prescription anti-fungal medications and creams. They may alternatively use a special laser that passes light energy through the nail and under the nail bed to target and eradicate the fungi.
However this superstition stems from in the Edo period when they cut their nails using knifes. So obviously knifes and lack of light would result in death. It also has something to do with pronunciation. Japanese called clipping nails at night yotsume which sounds like shortening of life.
Trim the Nails Gradually
If your toenails are particularly thick, avoid cutting them all at once. Trim them a little bit at a time to prevent putting too much pressure on the nail. Start by cutting small sections of the nail, working from one side to the other, and then trim them straight across.
However, as we age, the growth and repair rate of these cells begins to slow down due to poor blood circulation, especially in our extremities (hands and feet). Blood circulation is when the small blood vessels in our feet begin to narrow and become thicker, making it harder for the blood to flow.
When considering a podiatrist or dermatologist for toe fungus, it's best to see a podiatrist. They have the tools to diagnose infections accurately and provide thorough toenail fungus treatment, while checking for any peripheral effects on your gait, balance, and alignment.
The PinPointe Laser for treatment of nail fungus, onychomycosis, is considered aesthetic and therefore the procedure itself is not covered by health insurance. Fortunately, Sol Foot & Ankle Centers offers affordable pricing options.
2 Nail changes in vitamin B12 deficiency present as hyperpigmentation of nails like bluish discoloration of nails, blue-black pigmentation with dark longitudinal streaks, and longitudinal and reticulate darkened streaks.
Therefore, vitamin D3 could be considered an antifungal agent due to its inhibitory activity against yeast cells and also its fungicidal activity.
Medium to dark vertical lines on your nails could indicate a Vitamin D and B12 deficiency. Short white lines or spots might point to zinc deficiency. Brittle nails that easily break could mean you're low in calcium and biotin.
Eating foods and oils that improve your gut health is a great way to ward off toenail fungus. Doing so also improves your immune system. Try to eat fermented foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, kefir, garlic, onions, and asparagus.