Thick nails can affect not only fingernails but also toenails. Affected nails may be unsightly or cause discomfort. If left untreated, thick nails can get worse and cause pain. There are many potential causes of thick nails. By understanding these causes, a person can prevent thick nails from forming and quickly treat them if they develop.
Fungal infection is a common cause of thick nails. If your nails unexpectedly change in thickness, color, or texture, it’s important to see a doctor to rule out any underlying conditions. Treatment depends on the severity of the nail changes and the underlying cause. People can often prevent thick nails by avoiding infections and irritants, and by keeping their nails dry. This article examines the causes, symptoms, prevention, and treatment options for thick fingernails and toenails.
Overview
Fingernails and toenails act as a strong barrier between the soft tissue of the nail bed below them and the environment beyond. Fingernails are useful for everyday tasks, like scratching an itch. They are also involved in the sensory functions of the fingers, providing a strong contrast to the softer skin of the fingertip. With age, the nails can begin to deteriorate or develop a disease that leads to the formation of thick nails. Although there are many potential causes of thick toenails, a fungal infection is the most likely cause of thick toenails.
Other pathologies, such as psoriasis or diabetes, can also be the cause of the formation of thick nails. The exact cause of thick nails will decide what treatment to follow to correct this condition.
symptoms and appearance
At first, thick nails may go unnoticed. However, as your nails become noticeably thicker, you may notice a number of symptoms, including:
weak nails that break easily
a bad smell emanating from the nail
nails lift easily from the nail bed or do not appear to be fully attached to the nail bed
it is difficult to cut or trim them
the nail splits or cracks easily
dirt or other debris gets under the nails
pain or discomfort
As the toenails thicken, they may appear rough, wrinkled, or scaly on the surface. Nails can also take on a yellow, green, or brown hue.
Causes and risk factors
There are several reasons why the nails can thicken. Most of them are related to infections or other medical problems related to thickened nails.
Some of the most common causes are listed below:
– Fungal and yeast infections
Fungal and yeast infections mainly affect the toenails more than the fingernails. A type of fungal infection called onychomycosis is one of the most common causes of thick nails. Fungal infections often develop on the toenails because they thrive in warm, humid environments. They spread easily and can grow rapidly, causing many of the symptoms described above. Some people are more prone to yeast infections than others. Here are some of the main causes of toenail fungus infections:
constant exposure to wet areas
smoking
binding shoes
damage to the nail or the side of the nail
Additionally, certain health conditions can increase the risk of fungal nail infections, such as:
athlete’s foot
psoriasis
diabetes
immunodeficiencies
circulatory problems
To prevent fungal infections, avoid walking barefoot in public places, especially locker rooms and showers. It is also important to keep the shoes dry.
Doctors generally don’t consider fungal nail infections to be serious. These infections can often get better with treatment. It is not always possible for the nail to completely recover its previous appearance. But treating the fungal infection can help the person reduce their discomfort and improve the appearance of the nail.
– Wound
Toenails can thicken as a result of sudden or repeated trauma or injury. It happens more often in people who play sports or exercise, such as soccer players, runners, and dancers. It can also affect people who wear ill-fitting shoes. Thick nails due to injury are often mistaken for fungal infections.
Seeing a doctor for a nail injury can help the nail grow back more normally. If treatment is effective, improvement is likely to be slow. It takes months for new nail growth to completely replace the length of the nail.
– Yellow nail syndrome
This less common cause of thick nails affects both fingernails and toenails. The nails turn yellow, curved and thickened. A person with yellow nail syndrome often has trouble breathing and swelling in the arms and legs. This is due to a buildup of fluid around the lungs and in the extremities. Although doctors don’t know the exact cause of yellow nail syndrome, some believe there may be a genetic link. This condition may also be associated with certain types of cancer and immune disorders. There is currently no treatment for yellow nail syndrome, and treatments for affected nails have limited effectiveness.
– Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that typically causes red, scaly patches on the skin. Nail psoriasis often accompanies this disease and affects both fingernails and toenails. In addition to thickening, psoriasis can also cause nail changes, such as
discoloration
detachment of the nail bed
bites
People with nail psoriasis may experience symptoms that come and go intermittently. Treatment can reduce inflammation and improve nail condition over time, but healing is often a slow process.
– Paronychia
Paronychia is an inflammation that causes redness and swelling of the skin around the nail. Inflammation of the nail area over a long period of time is called chronic paronychia. It can be caused by infections or exposure to irritants, such as cleaning solutions. Over time, fingernails and toenails can become thick. A person may notice that the layers of the nail begin to peel off. People can develop paronychia from frequent thumb sucking, washing dishes, and excessive trimming of their nails or cuticles.
Several professions are also at higher risk of developing thick nails due to paronychia. These jobs are:
the waiters
the washers
the cleaners
chefs
nurses
fishermen
The condition usually affects multiple fingers or toes. Chronic paronychia can be managed by:
avoiding contact with irritants
treat inflammation
allowing the nail’s natural barrier to heal over time.
– Aging
Often with age, the toenails begin to thicken. Although this condition is most common in the toenails, it is also possible for the fingernails to thicken.
Health professionals believe that nails thicken with age due to changes in blood circulation or prolonged exposure to UV rays. Thick nails and bumps that form on the nail due to aging are not treatable. However, they can be lightly polished by a person to smooth out their appearance.
other causes
Rare causes of thickened nails include the following:
pachyonychia congenita, a rare genetic disease
pityriasis rubra pilaris, a rare group of inflammatory skin conditions
severe scabies infection.
complications
Thick nails are often a symptom of another infection or disorder. In most cases, thick nails are unlikely to cause further complications. But if left untreated, they can worsen, cause pain, and make wearing shoes uncomfortable. Very thick nails can lead to loss of manual dexterity. Seeking a medical diagnosis for thick toenails can help prevent other complications that may arise. For example, a person may need treatment for an underlying condition that affects nail health, such as diabetes.
Prevention
It is possible to prevent some causes of thick nails. Thick nails are less likely to form if hands and feet are kept clean and dry, and nails are trimmed. Nail infections can enter the nail through cuts or cracks in the surrounding skin. People can avoid some nail infections by keeping their hands and feet hydrated to prevent cracking and by treating cuts or other skin problems.
To avoid thick nails, a person should avoid the following situations:
work in humid environments without gloves
share nail clippers
share towels
walking barefoot in public places such as gym locker rooms or showers.
People should always wear gloves when working in a wet area.
Here are more prevention tips.
wear shoes that fit well
keep socks and shoes dry
Treatment
Thick nails do not always require treatment. In cases where aging causes the nails to thicken, treatment will likely be as simple as buffing the rough surfaces to make them smooth. In other cases, a doctor will need to prescribe a treatment. The goal may be to improve the condition of the nail or prevent it from getting worse.
Treatment options for thick nails include
prescription creams or ointments
oral medications
laser therapy or light therapy
injections
Surgery to remove the nail and allow it to grow back.
The doctor will choose the appropriate treatments based on the cause of the thickening of the nails.
panorama
In some cases, the cause of thick nails can be benign, such as aging. In other cases, the person will need treatment to treat the underlying condition. Thick nails can sometimes be a sign of other health problems. It is important to seek medical advice and treatment when thickening or discoloration of the nails is observed. If left untreated, thick nails can get worse over time. By avoiding irritation and infection of the nail area, a person can often prevent thickening of the nails.
* HealthKey strives to convey health knowledge in a language accessible to all. In NO EVENT can the information provided replace the opinion of a health professional.
Well Being3 months ago
