Thickened toenails: what to do and how to treat? Thick toenails what to do Why are toenails hard



Toenails are most likely to thicken in older people. Children, adolescents, and adult men and women experience this phenomenon less frequently. Regardless of age, this problem brings a lot of inconvenience to life.

Thick and hard toenails not only look disgusting, but also cause painful discomfort. The reasons why the toenail has become thicker can be very different. Some can be eliminated on your own, others only with the help of a specialist.

Fungal infection

Fungal infection is the most common cause of toenail problems. It is impossible not to notice her. Nails not only become thicker, but also change color.

They lose their inherent healthy pink tint and stop shining. If your fingernail turns whitish, yellow, brown, green or black; exfoliates and crumbles; then we should assume that the fungus is to blame. The affected area becomes painful. The skin around the nail is itchy and swollen. Feet emit an unpleasant odor.

Stress and poor nutrition

Acute and chronic stress can weaken any organism. A busy work schedule, constant lack of sleep, and strong emotions inevitably lead to mental stress. Because of this, the nail plates on the toes thicken, turn yellow, change shape, and begin to peel and break. Depressions and growths often appear on them.

The situation will be aggravated by poor nutrition - too strict a diet or, on the contrary, overeating. The reasons why toenails become very thick and yellow may lie in a deficiency or excess of vitamins and minerals.

Diseases of the body

Thickening of the nail plates, their excessive looseness, and deformation may be a manifestation of eczema or the initial stage of psoriasis.

If the toenail has become thicker, turned blue, or changed shape, then you should think about a possible circulatory disorder. It may be caused by a bacterial infection, metabolic disorder or diabetes. Blood microcirculation worsens due to wearing tight shoes, as well as improper gait. Because of this, the nail also becomes thicker.

The causes of problems with the nail plates can be caused by diseases of the peripheral nervous system. If the nail becomes thicker, then the nerve connected to the limbs may be damaged.

The problem may lie in family-hereditary skin diseases. This is polykeratosis. Its characteristic excess of keratin provokes thickening of the nail plates. They lose their healthy pink color and become yellow, gray, and sometimes black.

What to do if your toenails become thick

An effective fight against thickening of nails is possible only after identifying its causes, so consulting a doctor is the first and most correct step towards healing.

Treatment of fungal infection

If your toenail suddenly turns yellow and becomes thicker, you should immediately contact a specialist. Treatment is mainly medicinal. Surgical intervention is used only in advanced cases.

Previously, drug treatment took six months. From long-term medication use, the patients' health deteriorated sharply. Recently, pulse therapy has become popular. It represents a more gentle, shortened course of treatment. Taking medications is interspersed with periods of rest from them. Over the three-month treatment period, thick toenails should disappear.

To combat fungus, external medications are widely used: ointments and creams. A relatively new and most convenient way to treat thickened toenails is varnish. It is usually sold complete with disposable files and alcohol-soaked swabs.

They are needed for processing nail plates. Using a file, you need to remove the areas affected by the fungus, and wipe the surfaces with a swab. After this you can apply varnish. It destroys the infection by penetrating into the nail plate. After a week, the varnish is removed using a special solvent. The fungus disappears within six months.

People have been practicing the treatment of thickened toenails with folk remedies for centuries. It is very useful to make lemon compresses. Kombucha is applied to the nail, which has become thicker, and it is also lubricated with iodine daily. It is useful to take warm baths. Usually 9 percent vinegar or soda is added to them. For this purpose, you can also make infusions from celandine. It is better to use folk remedies in combination with medications.

It is worth noting that more often a thick nail appears on the big toe, less often on the little toe. The treatment is the same in both cases.

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The condition of nails can tell a lot about a person and his health. Therefore, the slightest changes in the nail plate, including its thickening, can be a cause for concern. When should you sound the alarm? And what should those who have thick and hard nails do?

Causes

To eliminate the problem, it is first important to understand the reasons for its occurrence. The thickness of a healthy plate on the legs is about 1 mm. Most often, a person notices thickening of the nails of the big toes. What could be the reason?

• hereditary predisposition to hardening of the nail plate;
• constantly wearing the wrong shoes;
• long-term use of low-quality cosmetics: decorative coating, nail polish remover;
• unhealthy diet, which leads to a lack of vitamins and microelements;
• finger injury or damage to the nail plate;
• diseases of the nail plate: psoriasis, fungus;
• circulatory disorders;
• skin diseases.

Features of wrestling

Depending on the reasons that caused such changes, a method for eliminating the problem is selected. The most common cause is fungal nail infection. In this case, it is necessary to use antifungal drugs of general and local action. If other problems in the body are to blame, the fight must be directed to the root causes, i.e. the disease itself.

If the change is caused by injury, in most cases the nail plate returns to normal after some time without outside intervention. If the reason is tight or too hard shoes, it is enough to change them to better and more comfortable ones. It happens that after damage the nail not only hardens, but also peels off from the skin. Self-medication in this case can only worsen the situation. Therefore, it is better to consult a doctor who will conduct an examination and prescribe the necessary measures.

Softening nails

In some cases, for example, if there is a hereditary predisposition to thickening of the nail plate, there is no need to worry. The problem is only aesthetic. In this situation, you can use one of the available methods of softening the nail. The simplest is a visit to the salon, where a pedicurist will tidy up your nails. In specialized cosmetic stores you can purchase a product that softens nails that are difficult to cut. But not everyone can afford these methods, so folk recipes can be used.

9% vinegar will help make your nails softer. Soak a cotton pad with it, which must be applied to the nail. Try to avoid contact with skin. It is better to secure the disc with a plaster or bandage. To enhance the effect, you can wear a warm sock on top. Compress time – 2 hours.

Baths made from herbal decoctions have a good effect. To prepare a chamomile decoction, you need to pour boiling water over the dry inflorescences (3 large spoons per liter of water). Let the collection brew, cool to room temperature and strain. Dip your toes in this decoction for 10 minutes at least twice a week, and after a while your nails will become much softer. It is also recommended to make baths with the addition of soda, sea salt, essential oils (lavender, orange, lemon, mint).

As a preventive measure, you should use a simple baby or special emollient cream every day, which is applied not only to the feet, but also to the nail plates. It's better to do this before bed.

Dealing with a problem such as a thick and hard nail plate can require a lot of time and effort. It is necessary to take this into account and patiently follow all recommendations.

If your nail has become thicker than usual and has changed color, then it’s time for you to see a doctor!

The condition of our nails can tell a lot about us. In Chinese medicine, there is even a special technique in which a patient is diagnosed based on the appearance of his nails.

Nails- these are horny plates located on the tips of the fingers and toes, which are needed to protect the phalanges of the fingers. Nails are a fairly strong formation, but despite this, they are characterized by a number of defects. Thickening of the nails is one of these defects. But this not only does not look very aesthetically pleasing, but can also be a manifestation of various diseases.

What does a healthy nail look like?

The normal thickness of the nail plate on the hands should be 0.5 mm, and on the feet - about 1 mm. On average, fingernails grow by 1-2 mm per week, and toenails by 0.25-1 mm.

A healthy nail has a slightly pinkish color and a smooth surface. If your nails are white or yellowish with grooves and thickening, this may be a manifestation of the disease. This means that this is a reason to consult a doctor to find out the reasons for this type of problem. Most often, the nails on the big toes become thicker.

Causes of thickening nails

Nails can become thicker for a variety of reasons. For example, some of us have a tendency in our genes to thicken the nails on our big toes and there is nothing wrong with that. But most often the reason that our nail the plates become too thick, diseases are to blame.

Causes of thickening nails include:

• damage to the nail plate by psoriasis
• fungal diseases
• circulatory disorders of the nails
• Pachyonychia congenita – hereditary predisposition to thickening of nails
• neuropathy – damage to the peripheral nerves of the legs and arms
• deformation of the nail plate due to prolonged wearing of incorrect shoes
• poor nutrition, lack of vitamins and microelements
• skin diseases

To identify the cause of thickening of the nail, you need to consult a doctor. He will conduct an examination, make a diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment.

How to deal with nail thickening

• If the nail has become thicker due to injury, those. you hit your finger and damaged the nail plate. After some time, the shape of the nail will restore itself.

• If you have a fungus, you need to treat the disease with antifungal drugs ( exoderil etc.), both local and general. This is the most common cause of thickening nails.

« Even in the initial stage of development of fungal nail disease, drug treatment cannot be avoided. Currently, there are many drugs that can effectively fight the fungus. But you shouldn’t self-medicate, since an incorrectly selected drug will not only not help, but can harm your health,” – tells doctor Rosokha Ekaterina Miroslavovna.

• If you have a non-fungal nail infection (about nichodystrophy) , you need to pay attention to your diet in order to correct your metabolism and use special medications.

“Onychodystrophy occurs in people who have impaired nutrition to their fingertips. This happens with atherosclerosis, rheumatism, joint inflammation, gout. Nutrition to the fingertips is disrupted, and the big toes most often suffer on the feet - the nail becomes thickened and loose. If you simply have onychodystrophy and there are no fungi, then you need to take medications that improve microcirculation to the fingertips. Also, every day (or every other day) massage your fingertips, not just one, but all of them,” says dermatologist Leonid Kasperovich.

• If the cause of the thickening is a skin disease or psoriasis, it is necessary to treat the root cause, i.e. these diseases.

• With congenital pachyonychia, They recommend taking vitamins and prescribe soda baths.

In many cases, problems with nails arise due to weakened immunity, so it is necessary to take a number of measures to correct the immune system.

Treat, cannot be ignored!

Thickening of nails, especially on the toenails, may seem like something unimportant that is not worth paying attention to. But that's not true. If this problem is not addressed, the owner of thickened nails may develop various complications:

• If shoes constantly press on a thickened nail, a subungual ulcer may form.
• Thickened nail may injure adjacent fingers. This can lead to the appearance of ulcers on neighboring fingers and their infection with infectious diseases.
• If the cause of the thickening is a fungal disease, then inaction can worsen the condition and spread the disease. As a result, you will still have to go to the doctor, but the disease will be less treatable.

Take care of your nails, prevent the development of diseases of the nail plates and let them be healthy and beautiful!

Huge yellow or black nails on the hands and feet that resemble animal claws are not a very pleasant sight. They can be so hard that they cannot be cut off, they disfigure legs, and cause horror in people. Thick nails are so hard that they cannot be cut with scissors. Summer shoes are becoming unavailable. For women, this is generally a tragedy. They don’t know what to do about it, panic and hysteria begin.

Why did the nail plate on the big toe of each foot change its structure and become thicker? Thickening and changing color of nails can provoke various diseases.

Causes and symptoms of thickening:

Fungus remedy

1.The most common reason for this problem is fungus. The symptoms of fungus are very easy to recognize, as the toes begin to itch first.

An unpleasant odor emanates from the feet and the appearance of the nails deteriorates. It is easy to catch this disease. While visiting beauty salons, gym, solarium, swimming pool. More careless is wearing someone else's shoes. What to do if the nail on your big toe has turned slightly yellow and thicker?

The fungus is easy to treat this way. Even if you don’t have a fungus, it won’t cause any harm, and prevention won’t hurt.

2.Lymphatic circulation disorder is the second reason for this problem. It usually affects the toenails. Elephantiasis of the feet disrupts the uniform supply of nutrients, because the toes experience hypoxia, the nail plate becomes much thicker, and then darkens.

Thickening and yellowing of the nail

3.This trouble can be caused by diabetes. During the course of this disease, the blood supply is disrupted, the nail on the big toe experiences a lack of nutrients, becomes thicker, and its color and structure change.

4.Endocrine diseases, change the color and thickness of the nail plate. When the endocrine system is disrupted, the normal production of hormones is disrupted. Some are produced in excess, others, on the contrary, are not enough. If there are not enough hormones responsible for the growth and health of nails, then they become thick and change color.

5. Liver diseases, often lead to this problem. Seals, yellowness, roughness, grooves on the nails are one of the signs of liver disease.

6.Cardiac ischemia, leads to cessation of blood circulation, which causes the entire body to suffer, including the nails. They become very thick and acquire a yellow-gray tint.

7. Nervous system disease neuropathy is a complication of diabetes mellitus. The peripheral type of this disease leads to decreased sensitivity of the lower extremities; they are more susceptible to dryness than other parts of the body. You need to watch every nail. If it changes color and becomes thicker, then you should definitely visit a dermatologist.

Fungus on the nail

8. It happens that yellow and thick nails on a person’s feet or hands are a congenital feature. Disturbance of normal blood circulation leads to the fact that they turn yellow and thicken. This disease is called - onychogryphosis.

8. Because lack of vitamin B and calcium, toenails turn yellow, become streaky, and become thicker.

9. The nail on the big toe became painful and yellow, it’s all to blame wearing tight, uncomfortable shoes. In addition to yellowness, it may have blue and black spots. Over time, the nail falls away from the skin. To ensure your new nail grows healthy, you need to wear comfortable shoes.

10. Old age. In people who have passed the age of sixty, their fingernails and toenails become thicker. This is more likely due to the fact that older people suffer from one of the above diseases, or metabolic disorders.

All these causes can be successfully treated. In order for each of the nails to become healthy again, there are folk remedies, as well as modern medicine.

Folk remedies for thickening of nails:

ethnoscience

Before making baths and compresses, it is worth remembering that not all diseases can be cured with folk remedies. Traditional methods usually treat nail plate fungus.
Apple vinegar along with potassium permanganate, it is added to the water in which you wash your feet. Such baths need to be done for exactly a week to restore a healthy appearance to your nails.
Tea tree oil– a good remedy for fungus. Treatment: you need to smear yellowed toenails every day.
Herbal collection, consisting of horsetail, oak bark and calendula, is successfully used for baths, has a quick and long-lasting effect.
Garlic– a product known for its antibacterial effect. In order to fight fungal diseases, garlic must be mixed with alcohol to make a tincture, then wipe your feet with it two to three times a day.
For a good effect, it is better to use two methods of treatment at once. For example, first take a bath, then smear your nails with oil.

After taking baths, you need to treat your steamed toenails with oil.
To treat internal causes use:
ivy leaves, filled with a liter of vodka or alcohol. They are first infused for three days, then taken one tablespoon per day. This helps normalize the functioning of the endocrine system.

Wild clove tea cleanses the blood and normalizes the functioning of the adrenal glands. It is an excellent remedy for treating many diseases, but this type of clove grows only in France.

If the nail has become thicker due to a violation of the outflow of lymph, then it is treated plantain decoction. Making a decoction is very simple. You need to pour one hundred grams of dried plantain leaves with a liter of water, bring to a boil, then simmer over low heat for another ten minutes. You need to take three tablespoons per day.

Honey with garlic

You can also mix crushed garlic with honey and take it three times a day.
For some liver diseases, people are treated with fasting, or a special diet, and an herb called milk thistle, which must be taken before each meal. After a month of treatment, the liver is cleansed and the signs of the disease disappear.

The worst thing is when this problem is congenital, then treatment is required constantly.
Congenital thickening can be treated with kombucha. Before applying the compress, you need to steam your feet, then treat each nail with kombucha for 8-12 hours.

At the initial stage of onychogryphosis, the steamed nail plate is treated lavender oil. This treatment is good for prevention (until the nail becomes thick). If the nail plate on your toes has already hardened and taken on a sharp shape, it is better to consult a doctor.

Gives a good effect aloe leaf compress.

A congenital disease does not mean that a person has this shape and color of nails. Usually they become thicker due to a lack of nutrients or some problems with the internal organs. Therefore, you must first identify and eliminate the cause. Treatment with folk remedies is good, but not always effective.

Diagnosis and treatment of thickened nails

Before starting treatment, you need to identify the exact cause, and not guess it, self-medicating and wasting time.

To do this, you need to contact a dermatologist and get a referral from him for the appropriate tests. After passing all the tests, when the reason becomes known. You may have to change your doctor. A thick nail, or rather a small piece of it, is taken for analysis.
Thickening of the nails, which appears due to fungus, lymphostasis, and lack of essential vitamins, can be treated with folk remedies. But if the thickening occurs due to liver disease, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, diseases of the nervous system, it is better to treat them using the methods prescribed by the doctor.