Having thick nails is an unsightly condition that can affect not just fingernails but toenails likewise. Thick toenails, if left untreated, tin can worsen and cause pain.

There are many potential causes of thick nails. If these are known, a person may be able to prevent thick nails from forming and treat them quickly if they do develop.

In this commodity, we examine the causes as well as the accompanying symptoms and treatment options for thick toenails.

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Thick toenails may be caused past a range of different things, including fungal infections and skin weather.

Fingernails and toenails act every bit a strong barrier between the soft tissue of the nail bed under them and the surround across.

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 tin start to break downwardly, or they may develop a status that causes thick nails to form.

Although at that place are many potential causes of thick nails, in the toenails a fungal infection is the near common crusade.

Other diseases, such as psoriasis or diabetes, may also cause thick nails to develop.

The verbal cause of thick nails will help determine the treatment a person has to correct the condition.

Thick toenails may go unnoticed in the early stages. Only every bit the nails get more obviously thicker, a person may notice several symptoms, including:

  • brittle, like shooting fish in a barrel-to-interruption nails
  • bad odor from the nail
  • nails lift easily from the nail bed
  • cut or trimming is difficult
  • splitting or cracking of the nail occurs easily
  • dirt or other droppings gets under the nails
  • pain or discomfort can be felt

Also, as the toenails gradually thicken over time, they may announced gnarly with some scaling on the surface.

Frequently, the nails will accept on a yellowish, greenish, or brown hue.

In that location are a variety of reasons why nails may thicken. Many of the causes relate to either infections or other medical atmospheric condition connected to blast thickening.

Some of the almost common causes are listed below:

Fungal and yeast infections

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Fungal infections develop in environments that are warm and moist, and tin spread rapidly.

Primarily, fungal infections affect a person's toenails.

A type of fungal infection called onychomycosis is one of the most common causes of thick nails.

Fungal infections often abound in toenails considering they thrive in warm, moist environments. They are hands spread and tin develop chop-chop, causing many of the symptoms described to a higher place.

To avoid fungal infections, people should avoid walking around barefoot in public places, particularly locker rooms and showers, and past keeping footwear dry.

Some people are more prone to fungal infections than others. Some of the leading causes of fungal infections in the toenails include:

  • athlete's human foot spreading to the toenail bed
  • constant exposure to wet areas
  • smoking
  • constricted footwear
  • weakened allowed system
  • medical conditions, such as psoriasis, circulatory problems, and blazon 1 and 2 diabetes
  • damage to or next to the nail

Injury

Toenails can thicken equally a event of sudden or repeated trauma or injury. Mostly, this happens to people involved in sport or practise, such as soccer players, runners, and dancers, but also to people with ill-fitting shoes.

Often, thick nails due to injury are mistaken for fungal infections.

Yellowish nail syndrome

This less-mutual cause of thick nails affects both fingernails and toenails. The condition causes the nails to yellow and go curved and thickened.

A person with yellow nail syndrome often experiences respiratory problems and swelling in the arms and legs due to a buildup of fluid effectually the lungs and in the limbs.

Although doctors do not know the exact crusade of yellow nail syndrome, some believe there is a strong genetic connection.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder that typically causes carmine, 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 crusade of thickened nails, a person is likely to develop ridges on the nails, and the nails may loosen and separate from the blast bed.

Paronychia

Paronychia is a pare condition that causes redness and swelling effectually the blast. Over time and multiple infections, both fingernails and toenails may become thick. A person may find that layers of the nail start to peel off.

People are more likely to develop paronychia from oftentimes sucking on their fingers, dishwashing, and trimming the nails or cuticles likewise much.

Several occupations are too more of a risk for developing thick smash due to paronychia. These jobs include:

  • dishwashers
  • bartenders
  • laundry workers
  • cleaners
  • cooks
  • nurses
  • people who fish

Aging

Senior persons foot showing signs of thickened toenails from aging.
Aging may cause the toenails, likewise every bit the fingernails, to thicken.

Oft, 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 as well.

It is idea 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 effect of aging are not treatable. They can be buffed slightly, all the same, to smooth out their appearance.

Thick nails are ofttimes the symptom of another infection or disorder.

Thick nails are not likely to crusade further complications, although, if left untreated, they will keep to worsen, may cause hurting, and may make wearing footwear uncomfortable.

Complications from the pre-existing conditions that caused the thick nails are, however, likely to follow. For instance, thick nails may be an boosted complication acquired past 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 certain that it is simply a fungal infection and cipher more serious.

A doctor will await at a person's medical history and examine their nails. 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 demand to swab under the nail or take a clipping to examination for fungal growth. It is of import to diagnose a fungal infection early to curtail it rapidly.

Person applying to ointment of foot with gout and thick toenails.
When thick toenails are not caused by an infection or existing status, buffing the surface of the nail will exist enough to care for it. Otherwise, handling volition be based on targeting the cause.

The crusade of thick nails will be the determining cistron in what handling is used.

In instances where aging is causing a person's toenails to thicken, the treatment will probable exist as simple as buffing the rough surfaces to smooth them.

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 crave several months of therapy equally the nail grows out. Some common treatments for fungal infections include:

  • prescription creams or ointments
  • oral medications
  • removing the nail to care for the nail bed underneath
  • light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation therapy

Nails afflicted by psoriasis may crave particular treatments that include topical steroids or injections to help the nails heal.

When left untreated, thick nails are probable to worsen over time. In some cases, the crusade of thickening may be benign, such as aging. In other cases, treatment volition be required to remove the underlying infection. This is specially true with fungal infections.

It is important to seek medical advice and treatment when a person notices thickening or discoloration of the nails.

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