Stubbing your toe or having a heavy object fall on it can alter the toenail cells, which manifests as thickening or disfiguring of the nail plate. Either one severe injury or repeated incidents can thicken or disfigure the toenails.
Poorly fitting shoes and athletic wear and tear cause toenails to thicken as well. Illnesses like peripheral arterial disease impairs circulation, leading to thickening of the toenails. Fungal infections are also known to alter nail cells. The doctor will let you know what your options are in treating it. Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Habif TP. Nail diseases. Louis, Mo. Accessed April 17, American Academy of Dermatology.
Rich P, et al. Overview of nail diseases. Aging may cause the toenails, as well as the fingernails, to thicken. Often, as a person ages, the nails on their toes start to thicken. Though the condition is most common on the toenails, it is possible for the fingernails to thicken also. It is thought that the nails thicken as people get older because the body is not as able to renew itself as it was at a younger age.
The thick nails and the ridges that form on the nail as a result of aging are not treatable. They can be buffed slightly, however, to smooth out their appearance. Thick nails are not likely to cause further complications, although, if left untreated, they will continue to worsen, may cause pain, and may make wearing footwear uncomfortable. Complications from the pre-existing conditions that caused the thick nails are, however, likely to follow.
For example, thick nails may be an additional complication acquired by a person who has underlying diabetes. Since underlying conditions often cause thick nails, a person should consult a doctor if they notice their fingernails or toenails thickening or changing color. Someone with an underlying condition, such as diabetes or psoriasis, may well be treating it already.
People who experience yellow, thickened nails without knowing a reason for them, should talk to their doctor to be sure that it is only a fungal infection and nothing more serious. If their thick toenails are due to an underlying condition, the doctor may prescribe further therapies to help address the new symptom. For those with fungal infections, the doctor may need to swab under the nail or take a clipping to test for fungal growth.
It is important to diagnose a fungal infection early to curtail it quickly. When thick toenails are not caused by an infection or existing condition, buffing the surface of the nail will be enough to treat it.
Otherwise, treatment will be based on targeting the cause. In cases of psoriasis, the doctor will likely seek to treat the flare with additional medications for the resulting thickened nails. Fungal infections are best treated early on and may require several months of therapy as the nail grows out. Some common treatments for fungal infections include:. Nails affected by psoriasis may require particular treatments that include topical steroids or injections to help the nails heal.
When left untreated, thick nails are likely to worsen over time. In some cases, the cause of thickening may be benign, such as aging. The thickness and color of the nail are examined carefully. This helps determine the cause. For infection. Oral or topical antifungal medicines may be used to treat infection. These can help prevent sores under the nail.
They also keep the fungus from spreading to other nails. For thick nails not caused by infection. Thinning the nail may be an option. This can be done by trimming, filing, or grinding. For pain. If the nail causes pain, part or all of the nail can be removed with surgery. Never try to remove a nail by yourself. You can prevent many nail problems by wearing the right shoes and trimming your nails properly.
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