Why do toenails get thick?

Thick toenails are often caused by fungal infections (onychomycosis), aging (reduced circulation), injury, or underlying conditions like psoriasis, diabetes, and poor circulation, with tight shoes and genetics also playing a role. Fungal infections thrive in warm, damp environments, making them common culprits, but trauma, skin issues, and systemic diseases can also lead to thickening.

How do you get rid of thick toenails?

To get rid of thick toenails, soften them in warm, Epsom salt water, then trim straight across with heavy-duty clippers and file the edges smooth; for persistent cases, see a podiatrist as underlying causes like fungus or injury often need medical treatment, including prescription antifungals, laser therapy, or professional debridement. 

Can thickened toenails go back to normal?

Yes, thickened toenails can often be reversed or significantly improved by treating the underlying cause (like fungus, injury, or psoriasis) with antifungals, proper trimming, better footwear, or medical procedures, though severe damage to the nail matrix might mean they never look perfectly normal again, but they can become much thinner and more comfortable over several months as the new nail grows out. 

At what age do toenails start thickening?

Toenails often start to thicken gradually as you age, with noticeable changes common after age 50, due to slower cell turnover, reduced circulation, and accumulated microtrauma from shoes or activity, causing keratin cells to pile up, though it can happen earlier from fungus or injury. The process isn't a sudden event but a slow decline in nail health, making them thicker, brittle, and harder to trim over time. 

What do thick toenails indicate?

Thick toenails often signal a fungal infection (onychomycosis), but can also point to injury, aging, psoriasis, diabetes, poor circulation, or even genetics. While fungus is a common culprit, persistent thickening warrants seeing a doctor or podiatrist to identify the underlying cause and get proper treatment, as it can affect nail health and comfort. 

Most Extreme Ingrown Toenail Salon Pedicure - Shortened

What do podiatrists do with thick toenails?

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.

What is the white hard stuff under my toenails?

Hard white stuff under your toenail is often subungual hyperkeratosis, a buildup of dead skin cells (keratin), frequently caused by nail fungus (onychomycosis), psoriasis, or even minor trauma, leading to thickening, discoloration, and crumbling. While it might start small, it can worsen, causing pain or odor, so it's best to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis to get the right treatment, which can range from antifungal creams to oral medications, though it can take time.
 

How do you prevent thick toenails in old age?

To prevent thick toenails as you age, focus on good foot hygiene (keep feet dry, clean, powder them), wear properly fitting shoes, trim nails straight across, disinfect tools, and protect feet from trauma, as aging slows growth, making nails prone to thickening from fungal infections or minor injuries, which can be managed by filing them down and seeing a podiatrist for persistent issues, notes The New York Times, Michigan Podiatry. 

Do thick toenails indicate poor circulation?

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.

Are thick toenails a symptom of diabetes?

Some medical conditions affect the condition of your toenails. The most common are diabetes and psoriasis. Diabetics often have reduced blood flow to their feet, which may cause thicker toenails or numbness.

How often should you cut toenails?

You should generally trim your toenails every 4 to 6 weeks, or about once a month, but the ideal frequency varies; check them regularly and trim sooner if they get long, snag, or cause discomfort, as factors like age, activity level, and health can affect growth speed, with thicker nails or faster growth sometimes needing more frequent cuts to prevent issues like ingrown nails or fungal infections.
 

Can you scrape out toenail fungus?

No, you can't fully "scrape out" toenail fungus because the infection lives within the nail and nail bed, not just on the surface, but you can use scraping in combination with medical treatments like antifungal creams or nail-softening creams (with urea) to help remove the thickened, infected parts for better medicine absorption. While scraping helps manage buildup and can improve effectiveness, professional diagnosis and prescription treatments (oral meds, strong topicals, laser, or nail removal for severe cases) are usually needed for a cure, as home remedies alone often fail.
 

What vitamins help thick toenails?

Vitamins A, E and D; iron; healthy fats; carbohydrates; and protein are especially important for skin, hair and nail health.

When should I see a doctor for thick toenails?

You should see a doctor (podiatrist is ideal) for thick toenails if you have pain, difficulty walking, signs of infection (redness, swelling, pus), diabetes or poor circulation, if the issue spreads, or if home care doesn't help, as these can signal fungal infections or underlying issues like psoriasis needing professional diagnosis and treatment to prevent worsening.
 

Should I cut toenails straight across?

Yes, toenails should be cut straight across, not rounded or cut too short, to prevent painful ingrown toenails. Cutting straight helps the nail grow forward as it should, while rounding corners encourages the nail to grow into the skin, causing inflammation and infection. If corners are sharp, gently file them, but avoid cutting them down significantly.
 

Why are my toenails suddenly so thick?

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.

What dissolves thick toenails?

To manage thick toenails, regularly soak feet in warm water with vinegar or Epsom salt to soften, then use specialized clippers or an emery board to gently file them down, applying antifungal treatments like tea tree oil, Vicks VapoRub, or OTC creams for potential fungal causes; professional debridement offers faster thinning, but consistency is key, as full resolution takes months. 

What can a podiatrist do for thick toenails?

Maintaining and Beautifying Thickened Toenails

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.

Can thickened toenails be reversed?

Yes, thickened toenails can often be reversed or significantly improved by treating the underlying cause (like fungus, injury, or psoriasis) with antifungals, proper trimming, better footwear, or medical procedures, though severe damage to the nail matrix might mean they never look perfectly normal again, but they can become much thinner and more comfortable over several months as the new nail grows out. 

How can I fix my thick toenails at home?

For thick toenails, try foot soaks (vinegar, Epsom salt, or baking soda) to soften them, then trim and thin the nail with sanitized clippers; apply topical remedies like diluted tea tree oil, Vicks VapoRub, or Vicks VapoRub, or Ozonized Oils (sunflower, olive) after soaking for better penetration; keeping feet clean and dry is crucial, but see a doctor if it's painful or doesn't improve.
 

What household item kills toenail fungus?

Household items with antifungal properties like tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar, and baking soda are popular for treating mild toenail fungus, often used in soaks or pastes, but results vary, and stronger infections usually need medical treatment. Vicks VapoRub and mouthwash (with thymol) are also cited for potential relief due to ingredients like menthol, camphor, and thymol.
 

What kills toenail fungus permanently?

To permanently kill toenail fungus, professional treatments like prescription oral antifungals, laser therapy, or even nail removal for severe cases are most effective, as topical solutions often struggle to penetrate the nail; however, consistency with topical treatments (prescription or some natural options like tea tree oil) or diligent hygiene can also work, though it takes months to a year to see results as the nail grows out.
 

How do I get rid of white buildup on my toenails?

White spots on toenails are often caused by minor trauma or fungal infections (leukonychia), with treatment depending on the cause: address trauma by avoiding tight shoes, use OTC antifungal creams for mild fungus, see a doctor for prescription pills (like Lamisil, Sporanox) for severe infections, or use non-acetone removers if polish is the culprit, ensuring good foot hygiene always.
 

Is toenail fungus related to liver disease?

Discussion. Nail changes are among the dermatological disorders associated with liver disease; these include onychomycosis in addition to other changes as onychorrhexis, dystrophic nails, leukonychia, longitudinal striations, brittle nails, clubbing of fingers, and longitudinal melanonychia [8].