- Baking soda has strong antifungal effects. Soaking your thick yellow toenails in baking soda and water can combat fungal...
- Applying 100% tea tree oil to affected toenails twice daily can help ease symptoms.
- Olive leaf extract has both antibacterial and antifungal effects. Applying it in liquid form on infected toenails...
- Coconut oil is an antifungal agent. Applying a...
Full Answer
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.
How can I Stop my toenail from growing back?
If you have the problem repeatedly on the same toe, your doctor may suggest removing a portion of the nail along with the underlying tissue (nail bed). This procedure may prevent that part of your nail from growing back. Your doctor will use a chemical, a laser or other methods.
How do I treat a yellow toenail?
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 treat toenail fungus?
Fungal infections are more common in toenails since your feet are in warm, moist environments more often. Trim your toenails and smooth the edges with a file. This will make it easier for topical treatments (like creams or gels) to reach deeper layers of the nail.
How do you fix scaly 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 get rid of thick crusty 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 is my toenail scaly?
You could have a fungal infection, most likely one called white superficial onychomycosis. If possible, see a doctor as soon as you notice it. This infection spreads across the toenail. White superficial onychomycosis can cause the entire nail to become rough and crumbly.
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?
Treatment for Thickened Nails:Resection and thinning of the nail by a podiatrist.Nail scrapings may be taken for fungal culture.Permanent or temporary surgical removal of the nail.
What is the white hard stuff under my toenails?
In medical terms this is called onychomycosis or tinea unguium,” says Batra. The fungal infection breaks down the keratin in the nail to form a white or yellow chalky substance under the nail plate. "As keratin debris spreads under the nail, the nail plate typically becomes lifted up off of the nail bed.
Why do elderly get thick toenails?
Both fingernails and toenails thicken as we get older. We only notice it with toenails because they're usually not filed and buffed as often as fingernails. The growth rate of nails decreases when people get older. This results in thickening because nail cells pile up.
Why do my toenails have ridges?
Ridges in nails usually come from aging but can also indicate improper nail care, nail trauma, vitamin deficiency, or even a more pressing medical condition, according to 2022 research.
What does Vicks VapoRub do for toenails?
Vicks VapoRub Although designed for cough suppression, its active ingredients (camphor and eucalyptus oil) may help treat toenail fungus. A 2011 study found that Vicks VapoRub had a “positive clinical effect” in the treatment of toenail fungus.
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.
How to diagnose a toenail?
Your doctor will look at your nails to diagnose the condition. The doctor may also take a swab underneath the nail or take a toenail clipping to diagnose the condition.
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.
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 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.
Why are my toes so susceptible to fungus?
Your toes are very susceptible to a fungal infection because they’re frequently exposed to wet areas. Moisture helps fungus spread.
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.
How to smooth out thick toenails?
In instances where aging is causing a person’s toenails to thicken, the treatment will likely be as simple as buffing the rough surfaces to smooth them.
Why do my toenails get red?
Psoriasis. 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 ...
What is the role of fingernails in the nail bed?
Fingernails and toenails act as a strong barrier between the soft tissue of the nail bed under them and the environment beyond.
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 nails get thicker?
There are a variety of reasons why nails may thicken. Many of the causes relate to either infections or other medical conditions connected to nail thickening.
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.
How to treat thick toenail?
Thick toenail treatment will mainly involve your dermatologist using drills, clippers, alongwith topical urea creams to manage the nail changes.
How to get rid of thick nails?
Applying tea tree oil to the affected and surrounding area softens the nail. Tea tree oil has natural antifungal properties. Applying the oil regularly twice a day can significantly reduc thick nails.
Why are my toenails yellow?
The appearance of your toenail changes and it becomes thicker than usual. Depending on the type of fungal infection your toenails may appear yellow, white, or brown. The nail becomes difficult to trim and breaks easily. In some cases, the nail lifts from the nail bed and is often painful.The signs appear slowly over time.
Why are my fingernails so thick?
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder that causes red, itchy, and scaly thick skin all over the body. It spreads to the nails and causes thick fingernails or toenails. It is painful and unsightly. Nail psoriasis occurs in upto 50 percent of people suffering from plaque psoriasis.
How long does it take to treat nail infections?
Complete treatment of nail fungal infections may take several months hence it is advisable to get effective diagnosis and treatments at an early stage.
What does it mean when your toenail is thick?
Thickening of the toenail is the primary symptom of the infection. It may be associated with the following changes,
What is the disease that causes the big toe to grow faster?
Onychogryphosis, also called Ram’s horn nails, is a nail disease-causing one side of the nail to grow faster, thicken, and appear curvy like horns or claws. It mostly affects the big toe. The nail plate is affected and it often gets painful
How to stop toe nail from growing back?
This procedure may prevent that part of your nail from growing back. Your doctor will use a chemical, a laser or other methods.
What to take for toe pain?
Take pain relievers. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) may help ease the toe pain.
How to get rid of swollen feet?
Soak your feet in warm water. Do this for 15 to 20 minutes three to four times a day. Soaking reduces swelling and relieves tenderness.
Who can diagnose ingrown toenails?
Your family doctor or a foot doctor (podiatrist) can diagnose an ingrown toenail. Prepare a list of questions to ask your doctor during your appointment. Some basic questions include:
Can you take antibiotics for toe infection?
Your doctor may also recommend using topical or oral antibiotics, especially if the toe is infected or at risk of becoming infected.
Can you trim an ingrown toenail?
Partially removing the nail. For a more severe ingrown toenail (redness, pain and pus), your doctor may trim or remove the ingrown portion of the nail. Before this procedure, your doctor may temporarily numb your toe by injecting it with an anesthetic.
What is the best treatment for toenail fungus?
A medicated soap is another way to address toenail fungus and other forms of fungus that can grow on the feet. The Remedy Soap specifically addresses fungal infections by combining all-natural ingredients: tea tree oil, aloe, peppermint, and eucalyptus .
How to treat toenail fungus?
Undecylenic acid works to kill the toenail fungus and prevent regrowth while tea tree and lavender oil soothe the skin. For optimal results, apply the solution on the cuticles and skin surrounding the nail. This helps the product penetrate underneath the nail bed to address the fungus.
How to treat fungus on foot?
Natural/Homeopathic: Natural preventative measures can be effective, but once fungus sets in, your best bet is a research-backed and FDA approved oral antifungal. Garlic has antifungal properties, and when used in a footbath can provide some relief. “Given that topical prescription remedies take at least 1 year of daily use to work in only 2/3 of mild to moderate cases it is difficult to recommend an off-label natural remedy treatment,” says Dr. Markowitz. Keep in mind that a complete cure can take as long as 18 months. Plus, for fungal nail infections, a cure is not achieved at all in 20 to 25 percent of treated patients, per research. 3
What is the best nail polish for fungus?
Best Medicated Nail Polish: Arishine Toenail Fungus Treatment at Amazon. "Perfect for storing in your bag or pocket, the nail polish uses a mix of active ingredients to banish fungus and heal the damage.". Toenail fungus is a common fungal condition that often starts after a rash on the foot spreads to the nails.
What does it look like when you have a toenail fungus?
When mild, it looks like white and yellow spots growing under the nail beds. But if left untreated, the fungus can grow severely by hardening the nails and spreading to other toes. 1
What is foot soak?
The foot soak simultaneously relaxes muscles, soothes skin, and dries out fungus to prevent its spread.
Does fungus soak help with aches?
The combined ingredients work to dry out the fungus to prevent it from spreading. Benefits of the soak also include healing cracked feet and soothing aches.
How to get rid of discoloration on toenails?
These include: Wash your feet regularly and follow up with a good moisturizer. Wear breathable shoes and moisture-wicking socks.
What causes toenail discoloration?
Nail fungus, also called onychomycosis, is one of the most prevalent causes of toenail discoloration. The most common organism to cause toenail fungus is called dermatophyte. However, mold or yeast can also infect toenails. Dermatophytes grow by eating your body’s keratin.
Why is my toe nail purple?
Injuries. If you’ve recently dropped something on your foot or stubbed your toe on something, your nail discoloration could be a symptom of a subungual hematoma. This injury can also result from wearing shoes that are too tight. Subungual hematomas can make your nail appear red or purple.
How to treat subungual hematoma?
In the meantime, try to rest the affected foot. You can also wrap an ice pack in a towel and place it on the nail to help with the pain.
Why is my nail black?
black. The discoloration tends to start under the tip of your nail. Left untreated, the discolored area will grow as the infection spreads. Anyone can develop nail fungus. But certain people have a higher risk, including older adults and people with reduced blood circulation or weakened immune systems.
How long does it take for a discolored nail to grow out?
While the injury itself heals quickly it, it’ll take about six to nine months for the discolored nail to completely grow out. If you notice that the pain and pressure isn’t getting any better after a few days, make an appointment with a healthcare provider. You may have a more severe injury that requires treatment.
What color are toenails?
Overview. Typically, toenails should be more or less a clear, partially translucent color. But sometimes, they can appear yellow, green, blue, purple, or black. Several things can cause toenail discoloration (also known as chromonychia). These range from minor injuries to potentially serious health conditions.
What to do for yellow toenails?
Coconut oil is an antifungal agent. Applying a small amount of melted coconut oil can help heal thick yellow toenails.
What to do if your toenails are not responding to OTC treatment?
If your toenails do not respond well to OTC treatment, your doctor may prescribe a medicated nail cream. To make sure the cream penetrates the hard surface of your nail, you or your doctor may need to thin it with a file. When to See a Doctor.
How to get yellow toenails back?
A healthy toenail can then grow back. It takes time for thick yellow toenail treatments to work. You may not see results for months. Remedies. Baking soda has strong antifungal effects. Soaking your thick yellow toenails in baking soda and water can combat fungal infections.
Why do my toenails smell so bad?
A fungal infection can also cause your toenails to thicken or become distorted. The fungus can cause unpleasant odors. These infections can spread easily and develop fast. Preventive measures keep you from getting a fungal infection or reinfection.
How to prevent yellowing toenails?
The following measures can help you prevent thick yellow toenails caused by infection: 1 Wear sweat-absorbing socks to prevent fungi from forming in the fabric. 2 Wear shoes in pool areas and locker rooms where you could come in contact with nail fungus. 3 Shoes offer a dark, moist environment that helps fungi grow. Treat old shoes with antifungal powders or disinfectants. 4 Wash your hands and feet regularly. Fungal infections are more common in toenails since your feet are in warm, moist environments more often. 5 Trim your toenails and smooth the edges with a file. This will make it easier for topical treatments (like creams or gels) to reach deeper layers of the nail.
What to do if your toenails are discolored?
If your toenails continue becoming discolored, thicker, or deformed despite treatments, it’s a good idea to see a doctor. Make an appointment with your doctor if you have diabetes, as toenail fungus can lead to more serious infections and diabetic foot problems.
Why do my toenails get dark?
Over time, debris builds up beneath the nail, causing it to darken. Nails can grow brittle, crumbly, or ragged. Toenails are an ideal environment for fungal infections because they are moist and warm. A fungal infection can also cause your toenails to thicken or become distorted. The fungus can cause unpleasant odors.
How to soften a swollen toenail?
3. Soak feet in vinegar. You can also soak the feet in vinegar for 20-25 minutes a day to help soften them. Fill a tub with warm water and add 3-4 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to soak your nails. After the feet have dried, gently buff away the top layer of the nail that has loosened from the treatment.
How to get thick toenails to go away?
2. Try natural remedies. In less severe cases, natural remedies can be used to help treat a thickened toenail. A mixture of tea tree oil and olive oil applied to the nail can help soften the nail so it becomes less thick. Apply the mixture to the toenail with a cotton ball twice a day until the nail returns to normal.
Why do my toenails get thicker?
1. Injuries. In many cases injuries to the toenail can cause them to become thicker as they heal. Those who play sports which are hard on the feet such as soccer, or those who perform activities such as dancing in closed shoes can be at risk for these kinds of injuries. In this case, the thickening of the toenails is often temporary and will return to normal when the damage is healed.
How to get rid of a toenail infection?
Soak toenails for 10 minutes, and then trim using nail nippers. Surgery to remove the infected nail. Apply a mixture of olive oil and tea tree oil to the nail with a cotton ball twice a day.
What happens when your toenail turns yellow?
What to Do When Your Toenail Thickens. When nails become thick and yellow, they are unsightly and can be difficult to manage. Know the exact causes of thickened nails and how to treat them here! When nails wind up thick and yellow they can become difficult to manage. Thick toenails are not only unsightly, but also can be a sign ...
What is the best way to remove nail build up?
Some acidic gels such as Nonyx gel can be used to remove the excessive layers of the nails that have built up. The high Ph of the gel will help kill off any infections in the area when gently removing the debris that has built up on the top of the nail. 5. Try medical treatment.
How to cut a toenail?
1. Trim toenails carefully. You will need to trim your toenails carefully once they have become thicker. Thick toenails are easier to split and irritate if pressure is put on them incorrectly. Start by soaking your feed in warm water for approximately ten minutes. Using nail nippers rather than standard nail clippers to ensure that you are able to cut through the nail without putting too much pressure on the nail. Take your time and cut straight across the nail to avoid developing a crack or ingrown toenails later. You can also reference the table below to learn about appropriate treatment options based on the nature of your condition.
