Before thick toenails can be prevented or treated, it’s good to know the reasons behind them. Thick toenails can result from one of several things, with the most common being: 1. Poor Circulation Lower blood flow to the toes due to conditions like diabetes may put your skin in rough shape, which can then spread to your toenails.
Full Answer
What does it mean when your toenails are thick?
Thick toenails are your body whispering that something is not right. Several causes result in developing thick toenails. The main cause is onychomycosis or fungal infection of the nails caused by dermatophytes (nail fungus). Physical trauma, Psoriasis,Lichen planus and diabetes may also cause thick nails to develop.
How do you treat thick toenails?
Although not all cases of toenail fungus need to be treated, thick toenails may be a sign that the fungus has gotten worse. Several methods are available to treat your toenails. You can try some home-based treatments first and then talk to your doctor about prescription-based options. Topical and oral medications are the mainstays of therapy.
Why do people with diabetes have brittle toenails?
People suffering from diabetes and peripheral vascular disease are prone to having brittle toenails. Diabetes in particular causes a decreased sense of feeling. Wounds are slow to heal, especially in the lower extremities. Brittle toenails cause injury to the nail bed and exposes the foot to infection.
What causes thickening of fingernails?
Psoriasis of the nails often accompanies the skin disorder, affecting both the fingernails and toenails. When psoriasis is the direct cause of thickened nails, a person is likely to develop ridges on the nails, and the nails may loosen and separate from the nail bed. Paronychia is a skin condition that causes redness and swelling around the nail.
How do diabetics treat thick toenails?
Applying a small amount of melted coconut oil can help heal thick yellow toenails. You can purchase over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal nail creams and ointments. Be sure to clip and clean your nails before use to make sure the creams reach deeper layers. Laser therapy can be used to treat a fungal toenail infection.
How do you fix diabetic toenails?
Cut toenails after bathing, when they are soft. Trim them straight across, then smooth with a nail file. Avoid cutting into the corners of toes. Don't let the corners of your toenails grow into the skin.
How do you treat thickened toenails?
How are thick toenails treated?Clean the affected area with soap and water daily.Groom your nails regularly. ... Apply an over-the-counter fungal treatment after you gently file your nails.Apply Vicks VapoRub on your toenail each day. ... Apply tea tree oil twice a day every day.
Why do diabetics have thick toenails?
Diabetics often have reduced blood flow to their feet, which may cause thicker toenails or numbness.
Can diabetic foot be cured?
Background. Diabetic foot infections are a frequent clinical problem. About 50% of patients with diabetic foot infections who have foot amputations die within five years. Properly managed most can be cured, but many patients needlessly undergo amputations because of improper diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
What do diabetics toenails look like?
What to Look For in Diabetic Toenails. The first toenail change you'll notice in diabetic patients is likely to be discoloration. Most have some yellowing of the nails, though the shade and involvement can vary. Discoloring may start at the distal edge (tip), and run all the way to the root of the nail bed.
Can thickened toenails be reversed?
Thick toenails can be reversed if the underlying cause is addressed or proper preventative measures are taken. Polishing rough surfaces to make them smoother is a great way to treat thick toenails. Avoid pedicures because they may cause fungal infection to flare up when cuticles are removed.
How does a podiatrist treat thick toenails?
A podiatrist will grind the nail at frequent intervals. In some cases, trauma to the nail is permanent and the nail may require removal under local analgesia. In such cases the nail root matrix will need to be destroyed because damaged growth cells will continue to produce a thick new toenail.
Can you sand down thick toenails?
Dystrophic nails can be thinned through manual sanding, however, the quickest and most effective way to sand very thick toenails is with an electric sanding device. Thick nails should be sanded to avoid ulcerations due to shoe pressure, and can be sanded as thin as you desire.
How do you treat diabetic feet?
Diabetes Foot Care GuidelinesInspect your feet daily. ... Bathe feet in lukewarm, never hot, water. ... Be gentle when bathing your feet. ... Moisturize your feet but not between your toes. ... Cut nails carefully. ... Never treat corns or calluses yourself. ... Wear clean, dry socks.More items...
Why can't diabetics cut their toenails?
Myth: People with diabetes can't cut their own toenails Don't cut them straight across, curved down the sides, or too short. Remember, your nails are there to protect your toes.
How to prevent thick toenails?
Prevention really comes down to paying attention. 1. Keep an Eye Out. Watch for changes in the skin around the toenail.
How to fix thickening toenails?
1. Acidic gels. For the nastier of the issues, your doctor might prescribe a gel with a mild acid.
Why is my toenail thicker than my toe?
It may be a little gross to think about, but there are some fungi that can cause your toenail to be thicker. Certain fungi can separate your toenail from the toe and fill in the gap, making the toenail appear thicker than it actually is.
Why is my toe so thick?
Injury. The toe injury is one of the most common causes of a thick toenail. It could be one large trauma (like a broken toe or the nail itself being ripped off) or small repeated injuries to the nail and toe. This is common among athletes (especially those who perform sports with lots of running and footwork, like soccer).
How to prevent toenail thickening?
Wear Proper Shoes. While you should do this for a number of foot health reasons, proper footwear can also prevent toenail injury and thickening. Make sure to buy shoes that are the proper size so your feet don’t slide around in them or jam up against the toe of the shoe.
How to get rid of toe fungus on feet?
Soaking your feet in a white vinegar solution (one part vinegar, two parts warm water) twice a day may remedy the issue. The vinegar may kill off certain types of toe fungus.
How to take care of toenails?
Take Care of Your Toes. Keep your toenails clean and properly trimmed. While this doesn’t mean go out and get a pedicure every week, it does mean that you should take a little bit of care when dealing with your toenails. Don’t cut them too short, and when you do cut, trim the nails straight across if possible.
Which Symptoms are associated with Thick toenails?
Thickening of the toenail is the primary symptom of the infection. It may be associated with the following changes,
What causes thick toenails?
Several causes contribute to thick toenails. It is important to diagnose and treat the disease at an early stage. Advanced fungal infections are more complex to treat and cause psychological stress as well as physical discomfort. The following are the main causes,
Who is at high risk of developing thick toenails?
People can contract thick toenail fungal infections due to the following,
Home Remedies for thick toenails
Many people rely on home remedies as antifungal drugs can have side effects. The following are some home remedies to treat thick toenails,
When to see a doctor?
It is recommended to see a doctor when you see abnormal changes in the appearance or color of your toenails. It may indicate underlying causes such as diabetes, psoriasis or nail fungal infection.
How to prevent thick toenails?
Keep your feet and hands clean by following good hygiene practices. Dry them immediately after a wash
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Why do my toenails get thicker?
Paronychia is a skin condition that causes redness and swelling around the nail. Over time and multiple infections, both fingernails and toenails may become thick. A person may notice that layers of the nail start to peel off.
What does a doctor do when you have thick toenails?
If their thick toenails are due to an underlying condition, the doctor may prescribe further therapies to help address the new symptom.
Why do my toenails have red spots?
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder that typically causes red, scaly patches on the skin. Psoriasis of the nails often accompanies the skin disorder, affecting both the fingernails and toenails. When psoriasis is the direct cause of thickened nails, a person is likely to develop ridges on the nails, and the nails may loosen and separate from ...
What causes fungal infections in toenails?
Some people are more prone to fungal infections than others. Some of the leading causes of fungal infections in the toenails include: 1 athlete’s foot spreading to the toenail bed 2 constant exposure to wet areas 3 smoking 4 constricted footwear 5 weakened immune system 6 medical conditions, such as psoriasis, circulatory problems, and type 1 and 2 diabetes 7 damage to or next to the nail
Why do my toenails look gnarly?
dirt or other debris gets under the nails. pain or discomfort can be felt. Also, as the toenails gradually thicken over time, they may appear gnarly with some scaling on the surface. Often, the nails will take on a yellow, green, or brown hue.
Why do people use their fingernails?
Most people use their fingernails daily, to scratch an itch or for manual tasks, such as removing lids on jars or bottles. As a person ages, their nails can start to break down, or they may develop a condition that causes thick nails to form.
Why do my nails get yellow?
A person with yellow nail syndrome often experiences respiratory problems and swelling in the arms and legs due to a buildup of fluid around the lungs and in the limbs. Although doctors do not know the exact cause of yellow nail syndrome, some believe there is a strong genetic connection.
Why are my toenails so thick?
Toenails that have grown thicker over time likely indicate a fungal infection, also known as onychomycosis. Left untreated, thick toenails can become painful. Prompt treatment is key to curing the nail fungus. Fungal infections can be difficult to cure and may require months of treatment.
How to treat a toenail infection?
Apply an over-the-counter fungal treatment after you gently file your nails. Apply Vicks VapoRub on your toenail each day. This may help the infection subside. Apply snakeroot extract to the toenail every third day for one month, twice a week in month two, and then just once a week in month three.
What does it mean when your toenails change color?
A change in the thickness of your toenails may be just one symptom of a fungal infection. Other symptoms of nail fungus include: toenails that change in color to yellow, brown, or green. a foul odor that comes from the toenail. toenails that can lift up from the nail bed.
How long does it take for a toenail to grow out?
Treating toenails for fungus may require you to stick to the treatment plan for several months. Toenails grow slowly, and they can take 12 to 18 months to grow out. You may experience a recurrence of toenail fungus after treatment.
How to treat fungus on toes?
You can try a variety of home-based methods to treat nail fungus: Clean the affected area with soap and water daily. Groom your nails regularly. Soften your nails first by applying urea cream (Aluvea, Keralac) and wrapping your feet in bandages at night.
Where do toenails meet?
where your toenail and nail bed meet. in a crack in your toenail. in a cut in your skin that touches your toenail. The fungus or yeast grows under the nail bed, where it’s moist. The infection is initially minor, but with time may spread and cause your toenail to grow thicker as well as cause other symptoms.
How to keep your feet dry?
Keep your feet as dry as possible: Change your socks a few times a day, wear cotton socks that remove moisture from your feet, rotate your shoes so they can dry out, and purchase shoes that breath and don’t constrict your feet. Try a foot powder that keeps your feet dry.
Diabetes: Foot & Skin Related Complications
How can diabetes affect feet and skin? For people with diabetes, having too much glucose (sugar) in their blood for a long time can cause some serious complications, including foot and skin problems, as well as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, eye damage, and other problems.
Diabetes And Foot Problems Treatment And Complications
Diabetes and foot problems facts Two main conditions, peripheral artery disease (PAD) and peripheral neuropathy, are responsible for the increased risk of foot problems in people with diabetes.
Link Between Type 2 Diabetes And Black Toenail Fungus
Many people with Type 2 diabetes have problems with their feet. This is due to poor circulation and nerve damage. Perhaps you’ve started getting pins and needles in the feet? The hardening and darkening of the toenails are common, and sometimes the blackening of toenails can be a sign that you have developed a fungal infection.
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Thick Toenails: 5 Causes And A Bunch Of Treatments
Several of my Facebook fans have asked what to do for their thick toenails. And to tell the truth, it’s not a trivial question. Thick toenails can be the starting point for bad bruises, infections, even gangrene. In a disaster situation, these problems could become more likely if you have to do a lot of walking or even just standing.
Nail Fungus & Diabetes
A common problem in diabetic patients is nail fungus. A third of all diabetics are estimated to have nail fungus, or onychomycosis, compared with approximately 10 percent of the general population. Male diabetics are three times as likely as female diabetics to have the disease, and the risk increases with age.
Nails In Diabetes - Practical Diabetespractical Diabetes
Rowan Hillson September 1, 2017 Vol 34.7 September 2017 We all have our hobbies. Dr William B Bean studied his fingernails for at least 35 years.1 A little unusual perhaps, but our nails have much to teach us. Nails are made of keratin and grow lifelong. The nail plates protect the nail bed.