31 May How Can I Stop My Toenails From Growing Thicker?
by Adam Philps, Podiatrist, Masterton Foot Clinic
Every day, we have patients of all ages who come through the door to us with bulky and discoloured nails that have been thickening over time and have become too difficult to cut. This thickness can be accompanied by a range of other painful problems, such as ingrown toenails and fungal nail infections. For some people, the thickness of their toenails has meant that their nail is pressing against the top of their shoe, which then painfully pushes the nail into the skin. For others, it’s very uncomfortable, and they find their nails difficult to trim with regular home grooming kits – meaning they continue to grow thicker and become tougher and more problematic to manage.
If you’re concerned with the unsightly appearance of thick toenails, you’re not alone. Here’s a look into why toenails grow thick and hard, and what you can do to manage it.
Nail Thickening: Signs And Symptoms
As the thickening process is gradual, you may not notice it developing, especially early on. As it grows thicker, it will quickly become more noticeable and uncomfortable. Some common signs and appearance changes include:
- Difficulty in trimming the toenail
- Dirt, dead skin and debris beneath the nail
- Pain or discomfort from pressure on the nail from footwear
- Brittleness, flaking or splitting of the nail
- Unpleasant odour coming from the nail
- Nail lifting from the nail bed
Why Do Our Toenails Thicken?
Most often, our toenails get thicker as we grow older as a simple byproduct of our natural ageing process. As we grow older, the rate at which our toenails grow slows due to reduced blood circulation, especially in our extremities, causing our nail cells to build up – and our nails to thicken. Interestingly, men are more likely to suffer from thickening nails than women.
Risk Factors
While age is a common factor, there are a number of other risk factors that may contribute to the thickening of toenails:
- Fungal nail infections – these may also create a yellow/white discolouration in the nails, there may be some brittleness or flaking, the nail may lift upwards, and there may be an unpleasant smell
- Reduced blood flow to the feet – can also promote nail thickening, whether it happens naturally due to ageing or from medical conditions like diabetes or peripheral vascular disease
- Repeated trauma or injury – this means repeated knocking or damaging the toe bed by objects falling onto the feet, stubbing the toenails, or even participating in sports: runners, dancers, football and rugby players commonly lose their nails and have thickened toenails
- Footwear – the pressure from wearing tight or restrictive footwear such as high-heels or where toes are unable to be splayed can cause damage to the nail cells over time. When the nail growing cells become damaged, the nails may grow back thick and disfigured over time
- Psoriasis – psoriasis is often mistaken for a fungal nail infection with thickened, discoloured, brittle or flaky nails
How Can I Prevent My Nails From Thickening?
Unfortunately, we can’t stop the natural ageing process, but we can ensure we partake in regular exercise to help promote our circulation which may prevent nail thickening. It’s important to be proactive in treating any fungal infections when we first notice them, and make the effort to wear quality ergonomic shoes that have plenty of space in the toe box for our toes to move freely. If our workplace means we’re at higher risk of falling objects on our feet, we can protect them by wearing steel-capped boots.
How Do I Cut My Thick Toenails?
It is very difficult to cut a thickened toenail without the correct tools, and many standard nail clippers have been broken in the process! It is recommended to file a thickened nail rather than cut it, in order to prevent harming the nail and the surrounding skin. Filing the nail 2-3 times a week can help to keep the thickness reduced, however, it can be awkward and difficult to do this safely at home. This is why our patients choose to see our podiatrists, who professionally reduce the thickness of the nail easily and accurately with precision tools and the right equipment.
What Can Masterton Foot Clinic Do To Help?
Here at Masterton Foot Clinic, we have qualified podiatrists who are trained in using specialised equipment to reduce the thickness of your nails, make them comfortable and improve their appearance. We start by using heavy-duty nail clippers to reduce the length of the toenails, and then use a unique burr to significantly reduce their thickness – and give them a clean, smooth finish. We also used a blacks file to clean down the sides of the nail, and beneath the nail where possible. Our patients greatly enjoy this process, and they often walk out feeling much happier and more confident to show their improved toenails with open-toed shoes and sandals.
We can also help to determine the cause of your thickened nails – if you are suffering from a fungal infection, we can use New Zealand’s leading anti-fungal nail solution to treat the infection – cold laser. As well as this, for many patients we can simultaneously manage your thickened nails at the same time as your ingrown toenails, which often go hand-in-hand and can become more complex over time, requiring targeted treatment.
Most people book appointments for this care every 6-12 weeks, depending on how quickly their nails grow. By regularly taking care of your toenails as well as any other concerns on your feet, we are able to help keep your nails and toes under control and feeling great
We would love to support you to feel your best and manage those troublesome toenails, along with any other foot concerns that may arise. Book your appointment with one of our friendly podiatrists today online here or give us a call on 06 370 4057