While fungal infections and aging are common culprits, certain vitamin and mineral deficiencies, particularly Biotin (B7), Zinc, Iron, and Protein, can contribute to thick, brittle, or unhealthy nails, though it's often a combination of factors, and persistent issues need a doctor's diagnosis to rule out fungus or other conditions.
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.
The most common cause of thickened toenails is aging. 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.
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.
A magnesium deficiency can result in weak, flaky nails that are prone to breakage.
Those little white spots on your fingernails can have several causes, one of which is a sign of zinc deficiency. If you also have any other low-zinc signs such as frequent infections, irritability, slow healing, hair loss, or skin rashes, then it may be time to considering supplementing your zinc.
Koilonychia is an abnormal shape of the fingernail. The nail has raised ridges and is thin and curved inward. This disorder is associated with iron deficiency anemia.
Here are 10 unexpected signs of a vitamin D deficiency that may surprise you.
6. Vitamin D and Fungal Infections. There has been an increase in the incidence and prevalence of fungal infections worldwide over the past three decades [91].
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.
Unfortunately, in many cases where the toenail is thickened the result is permanent. This is due to the nail root, or matrix being damaged.
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.
Look how strikingly pale the nails are. Normally, your nails have a pinkish color because of the tiny blood vessels that are in the tissue underneath your nail. But in liver disease, there are changes to that tissue which makes it difficult to see the tiny blood vessels and that's why the nails are so pale.
Symptoms of vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia
Toenails will often become thick as an individual grows older. Thickening may also occur as a result of trauma to the toenail, such as when it repeatedly hits the end of a shoe that is too short. Sometimes when something is dropped on the toenail, the nail will fall off.
Symptoms when vitamin D is low
Fatigue. Not sleeping well. Bone pain or achiness. Depression or feelings of sadness.
Taking too much vitamin D leads to calcium buildup (hypercalcemia), causing physical signs like nausea/vomiting, fatigue/weakness, frequent urination & excessive thirst, constipation, and confusion/disorientation, alongside potential bone pain or kidney stones, often from supplements, not sun exposure.
Possibly. The term "pica" describes craving and chewing substances that have no nutritional value — such as ice, clay, soil or paper. Craving and chewing ice, known as pagophagia, is often associated with iron deficiency, with or without anemia, although the reason is unclear.
Possible Causes
These lines aren't dangerous. Skin conditions: If you have very dry skin or eczema, you may have vertical lines on your nails. Thyroid disease: If you have hypothyroidism, you may have thick, brittle nails with vertical ridges. Your nails may also crumble or break easily.
A podiatrist can use a special type of nail clippers that can effectively cut through thick nails. This can improve the appearance of the nail and give a boost of confidence to the patient. They also have special equipment that will reduce thickness and sometimes resolve the onychauxis altogether.
Pressure or trauma, which could be anything from tight fitting shoes, dropping something on your toe or even poor circulation to the toes, causes trauma to the toenail and your toenail responds by growing thicker. Once your toenail grows thick, it will always be thick, this is a permanent change.
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.