Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesWhen to See a ProviderCutting Thick ToenailsTreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
When to See a Provider
Cutting Thick Toenails
Treatment
Prevention
Treatment for thick toenails typically includes treating the underlying cause, which can include things like mechanical stress (such as poorly fitting shoes), fungal infection, or an autoimmune condition. Treatments may include remedies like antifungal medications and foot soaks.
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Thick toenails come from a buildup of the cells that make up your toenails. Possible causes include increased age, nail fungus, peripheral vascular disease, and nail psoriasis (anautoimmune disease).
Aging
As you age, it is natural for your toenail thickness to change.Challenges with foot hygiene can also affect toenail health.
Nail Fungus
Nail fungus is the most common nail disease in the world.It occurs in 10% of the U.S. population and is more common in people living withdiabetes, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and other conditions that affect the immune system.
Toenail fungus can spread from another foot fungus (e.g., athlete’s foot), or it can spread from a surface like a shower floor or a shoe. Risk factors for toenail fungus include:
There are somespecific testsand several differenttoenail fungus treatmentoptions available, though none is 100% effective. Healthcare providers typically recommend tioconazole or bifonazole for treating nail fungus, as these tend to be more effective than other antifungals.These are usually taken while being monitored with bloodwork to ensure safety.
Nail Psoriasis
Psoriasisis a chronic autoimmune disease that can cause irritated and inflamed patches of skin.In some people, psoriasis also spreads to the nails, causing them to become thick and brittle.
Psoriasis can make your nails weak. They may even fall off completely. There are a variety of treatments fornail psoriasis.Your healthcare team will work with you to determine which might be best in your case.
Toe Injuries
Runners and other athletes can injure their toenails easily due to the repetitive microtrauma of the nails hitting against their shoes.
If the skin around the nail that’s been injured is also hurt and gets infected, it’s calledparonychia.
Yellow Nail Syndrome
A very rare condition calledyellow nail syndromecan cause unusual nail changes, usually in older adults.
In addition to having thick, yellow-colored nails, people with the condition have swelling in their legs and respiratory problems.
Ram’s Horn Nails
Onychogryphosis, also called Ram’s horn nails, occurs when the nails turn yellow or brown and get very thick, long, and curved. The big toenail is most often affected.
Anybody can get ram’s horn nails, but they’re more likely to happen because of a foot injury, infection, chronic health condition of the skin (like psoriasis), or a condition that affects blood circulation (like peripheral artery disease).
Ram’s horn nails tend to get worse over time and can lead to problems like ingrown nails and toenail infections.
Who Is at Risk of Developing Thick Toenails?You are at greater risk of developing thick toenails if you:Wear shoes that do not fit wellSwim, shower at the gym, walk barefoot in a locker roomHave poor foot hygiene (e.g., leave on sweaty shoes, don’t wash your feet, don’t keep nails trimmed)Experience a foot injuryHave a weak immune system (e.g., from a disease or medications)
Who Is at Risk of Developing Thick Toenails?
You are at greater risk of developing thick toenails if you:Wear shoes that do not fit wellSwim, shower at the gym, walk barefoot in a locker roomHave poor foot hygiene (e.g., leave on sweaty shoes, don’t wash your feet, don’t keep nails trimmed)Experience a foot injuryHave a weak immune system (e.g., from a disease or medications)
You are at greater risk of developing thick toenails if you:
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Having thick toenails usually won’t lead to any major health complications as long as they don’t get infected.
That said, you should let your healthcare provider know if you are seeing changes to your toenails, as it could be a sign of a health problem (including cancer). You may need testing done to reach a diagnosis.
While you might be reluctant to show your toenails, don’t worry. Medical providers are comfortable looking at and evaluating all kinds of health concerns.
If you have a hard time keeping your toenails clean and trimmed, you may want to see a provider who specializes in conditions of the feet and lower legs (podiatrist) for ongoing foot care.
Do thick toenails have an odor?Most of the time, toenails should not have an odor, especially if they are healthy. Some fungal infections may lead to anabnormal odorin the feet or nails.
Do thick toenails have an odor?
Most of the time, toenails should not have an odor, especially if they are healthy. Some fungal infections may lead to anabnormal odorin the feet or nails.
Thick toenails can be challenging to cut. Keep the following tips in mind:
There isn’t much you can do to quickly get rid of thick toenails. Repairing thick or damaged toenails takes a long time because they grow slowly.
It can take up to a year to fix some toenail problems, even with ongoing treatment.
Self-Care Strategies
The simplest way to deal with thick toenails at home is to do afoot soak:
If you’re looking to try a foot soak for thick toenails, it’s important to prepare the mixture at the right concentration. To avoid skin irritation or dryness, experts recommend the following measurements:Vinegar: One part vinegarto two parts waterEpsom salt: Three to 4 tablespoons per gallon of waterBaking soda: One tablespoon per two gallons of water
If you’re looking to try a foot soak for thick toenails, it’s important to prepare the mixture at the right concentration. To avoid skin irritation or dryness, experts recommend the following measurements:
Research shows that adding essential oils, such as oregano and tea tree oil, may help improve nail fungal infections.However, they should not be applied directly unless they are properly diluted. Also, you should avoid this type of treatment if you have an allergy or sensitivity to any of these oils.
There’s some evidence that usingVicks VapoRub, the over-the-counter product for congestion, may actually help with toenail thickening.Just put a little on your affected toe once a day.
Make sure yourshoes fit welland do not put pressure on your toes.
You may also want toavoid putting any nail polishon your toenails while they’re healing.
If you have had an injury to your toe and your nail is temporarily thick, it may get better over time. As a new, healthy nail grows out, you can see if it gets better.
Medical Care
Don’t try to thin your toenail yourself. This can damage the nail bed beneath the nail plate, which can lead to further thickening of the nail or nail loss.
Your healthcare provider may recommend procedures or medications that can help reduce the thickness of your nail and treat the underlying problem. Some of these include:
What specialist treats hard toenails?Apodiatristis a provider who specializes in foot and leg conditions. Some even specialize in the treatment of toenail conditions.
What specialist treats hard toenails?
Apodiatristis a provider who specializes in foot and leg conditions. Some even specialize in the treatment of toenail conditions.
There are a few ways that you can try to avoid getting ingrown toenails, and it all starts with keeping your feet healthy.
Prevent Fungal Infections
Good foot care can help to reduce your risk of getting a fungal infection and prevent it from returning once you have treated it. Some hygiene tips for your feet include the following:
Nail fungus often enters under the nail, so short nails help reduce the risk of infection. Consider sanitizing your nail clippers with rubbing alcohol each time you use them.
Washing and disinfecting your socks and treating your shoes are important parts of hygiene, too—especially if you have nail fungus.This helps to prevent the fungus from reinfecting your toes.
Support Healthy Toenail Growth
Toenails are an important part of your body’s natural outside barrier. They grow an average of 1 millimeter per month. Overall, nail growth tends to slow as you get older.
There are a few things you can do to promote healthy toenail growth:
Summary
Thick toenails have a variety of causes, including advanced age, nail fungus, and psoriasis. They are rarely a major health problem but can cause discomfort. Sometimes, they can be a sign of a condition that needs treatment.
Properly fitting shoes and good foot hygiene will go a long way in preventing and fixing thick toenails. Still, you should see your healthcare provider. They can help you understand any changes to your toenails and recommend a complete plan of care.
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Richert B.The aging nail and related disorders.Baran & Dawber’s Diseases of the Nails and their Management. 2019:337-48. doi:10.1002/9781119323396.ch11Vlahovic TC.Onychomycosis: Evaluation, treatment options, managing recurrence, and patient outcomes.Clin Podiatr Med Surg. 2016;33(3):305-318. doi:10.1016/j.cpm.2016.02.001Muth CC.Fungal nail infection.JAMA. 2017;317(5):546. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.20617Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Ringworm and fungal nail infections basics.Hay R.Therapy of skin, hair and nail fungal infections.J Fungi (Basel). 2018;4(3):99. doi:10.3390/jof4030099Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Psoriasis.Hadeler E, Mosca M, Hong J, Brownstone N, Bhutani T, Liao W.Nail psoriasis: A review of effective therapies and recommendations for management.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb).2021;11(3):799-831. doi:10.1007/s13555-021-00523-xMount Sinai.Paronychia.Orphanet.Yellow nail syndrome.Ko D, Lipner SR.Onychogryphosis: Case report and review of the literature.Skin Appendage Disord. 2018;4(4):326-330. doi:10.1159/000485854Alessandrini A, Starace M, Bruni F, Piraccini BM.An open study to evaluate effectiveness and tolerability of a nail oil composed of vitamin e and essential oils in mild to moderate distal subungual onychomycosis.Skin Appendage Disord. 2020;6(1):14-18. doi:10.1159/000503305Snell M, Klebert M, Önen NF, Hubert S.A novel treatment for onychomycosis in people living with HIV Infection: Vicks VapoRub™ is effective and safe.J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care. 2016;27(1):109-13. doi:10.1016/j.jana.2015.10.004Liddell L, Rosen T.Laser therapy for onychomycosis: fact or fiction?JoF. 2015;1(1):44-54. doi:10.3390/jof1010044American Academy of Dermatology.Twelve ways to prevent another nail infection.
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Richert B.The aging nail and related disorders.Baran & Dawber’s Diseases of the Nails and their Management. 2019:337-48. doi:10.1002/9781119323396.ch11Vlahovic TC.Onychomycosis: Evaluation, treatment options, managing recurrence, and patient outcomes.Clin Podiatr Med Surg. 2016;33(3):305-318. doi:10.1016/j.cpm.2016.02.001Muth CC.Fungal nail infection.JAMA. 2017;317(5):546. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.20617Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Ringworm and fungal nail infections basics.Hay R.Therapy of skin, hair and nail fungal infections.J Fungi (Basel). 2018;4(3):99. doi:10.3390/jof4030099Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Psoriasis.Hadeler E, Mosca M, Hong J, Brownstone N, Bhutani T, Liao W.Nail psoriasis: A review of effective therapies and recommendations for management.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb).2021;11(3):799-831. doi:10.1007/s13555-021-00523-xMount Sinai.Paronychia.Orphanet.Yellow nail syndrome.Ko D, Lipner SR.Onychogryphosis: Case report and review of the literature.Skin Appendage Disord. 2018;4(4):326-330. doi:10.1159/000485854Alessandrini A, Starace M, Bruni F, Piraccini BM.An open study to evaluate effectiveness and tolerability of a nail oil composed of vitamin e and essential oils in mild to moderate distal subungual onychomycosis.Skin Appendage Disord. 2020;6(1):14-18. doi:10.1159/000503305Snell M, Klebert M, Önen NF, Hubert S.A novel treatment for onychomycosis in people living with HIV Infection: Vicks VapoRub™ is effective and safe.J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care. 2016;27(1):109-13. doi:10.1016/j.jana.2015.10.004Liddell L, Rosen T.Laser therapy for onychomycosis: fact or fiction?JoF. 2015;1(1):44-54. doi:10.3390/jof1010044American Academy of Dermatology.Twelve ways to prevent another nail infection.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Richert B.The aging nail and related disorders.Baran & Dawber’s Diseases of the Nails and their Management. 2019:337-48. doi:10.1002/9781119323396.ch11Vlahovic TC.Onychomycosis: Evaluation, treatment options, managing recurrence, and patient outcomes.Clin Podiatr Med Surg. 2016;33(3):305-318. doi:10.1016/j.cpm.2016.02.001Muth CC.Fungal nail infection.JAMA. 2017;317(5):546. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.20617Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Ringworm and fungal nail infections basics.Hay R.Therapy of skin, hair and nail fungal infections.J Fungi (Basel). 2018;4(3):99. doi:10.3390/jof4030099Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Psoriasis.Hadeler E, Mosca M, Hong J, Brownstone N, Bhutani T, Liao W.Nail psoriasis: A review of effective therapies and recommendations for management.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb).2021;11(3):799-831. doi:10.1007/s13555-021-00523-xMount Sinai.Paronychia.Orphanet.Yellow nail syndrome.Ko D, Lipner SR.Onychogryphosis: Case report and review of the literature.Skin Appendage Disord. 2018;4(4):326-330. doi:10.1159/000485854Alessandrini A, Starace M, Bruni F, Piraccini BM.An open study to evaluate effectiveness and tolerability of a nail oil composed of vitamin e and essential oils in mild to moderate distal subungual onychomycosis.Skin Appendage Disord. 2020;6(1):14-18. doi:10.1159/000503305Snell M, Klebert M, Önen NF, Hubert S.A novel treatment for onychomycosis in people living with HIV Infection: Vicks VapoRub™ is effective and safe.J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care. 2016;27(1):109-13. doi:10.1016/j.jana.2015.10.004Liddell L, Rosen T.Laser therapy for onychomycosis: fact or fiction?JoF. 2015;1(1):44-54. doi:10.3390/jof1010044American Academy of Dermatology.Twelve ways to prevent another nail infection.
Richert B.The aging nail and related disorders.Baran & Dawber’s Diseases of the Nails and their Management. 2019:337-48. doi:10.1002/9781119323396.ch11
Vlahovic TC.Onychomycosis: Evaluation, treatment options, managing recurrence, and patient outcomes.Clin Podiatr Med Surg. 2016;33(3):305-318. doi:10.1016/j.cpm.2016.02.001
Muth CC.Fungal nail infection.JAMA. 2017;317(5):546. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.20617
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Ringworm and fungal nail infections basics.
Hay R.Therapy of skin, hair and nail fungal infections.J Fungi (Basel). 2018;4(3):99. doi:10.3390/jof4030099
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Psoriasis.
Hadeler E, Mosca M, Hong J, Brownstone N, Bhutani T, Liao W.Nail psoriasis: A review of effective therapies and recommendations for management.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb).2021;11(3):799-831. doi:10.1007/s13555-021-00523-x
Mount Sinai.Paronychia.
Orphanet.Yellow nail syndrome.
Ko D, Lipner SR.Onychogryphosis: Case report and review of the literature.Skin Appendage Disord. 2018;4(4):326-330. doi:10.1159/000485854
Alessandrini A, Starace M, Bruni F, Piraccini BM.An open study to evaluate effectiveness and tolerability of a nail oil composed of vitamin e and essential oils in mild to moderate distal subungual onychomycosis.Skin Appendage Disord. 2020;6(1):14-18. doi:10.1159/000503305
Snell M, Klebert M, Önen NF, Hubert S.A novel treatment for onychomycosis in people living with HIV Infection: Vicks VapoRub™ is effective and safe.J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care. 2016;27(1):109-13. doi:10.1016/j.jana.2015.10.004
Liddell L, Rosen T.Laser therapy for onychomycosis: fact or fiction?JoF. 2015;1(1):44-54. doi:10.3390/jof1010044
American Academy of Dermatology.Twelve ways to prevent another nail infection.
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