How to cure a thick toenail. Why thickening of toenails occurs: causes and treatment. How to treat seals on the nail plate

To maintain the health of the whole body, it is necessary to monitor the condition of not only the hands, but also the feet. Such a problem as thick toenails requires special attention. The reasons for this phenomenon may consist of various factors that require immediate human intervention.

Perfect condition

A nail in its ideal, healthy state has an even structure, normal thickness and pleasant pink. Any extraneous signs indicate malfunctions occurring in the body. To eliminate them, professional treatment is required, but first the cause of the thickening must be established.

Most often, the nail plate becomes thicker due to injury - a bruise, or if you pinched a fingernail. In this case, dried blood may accumulate under the nail plate, forming a hematoma or bruise. Treatment in this case does not require special measures - the nail will gradually grow back on its own, and all defects will disappear.

It is also worth considering that in older people, nails become thicker and harder due to irreversible degenerative changes in the body. It is impossible to fight this - these are age-related changes.

But if the fingernails become thicker and harden for no apparent reason, then treatment requires the mandatory help of a specialist, because such signs may indicate serious disorders within the body.

The first reason is fungus

The other most common is a fungal infection. At the same time, other symptoms appear: the nail changes color, becomes hard, the skin around it peels off, and the skin ridges turn red.

It is quite difficult to cure fungus, so the sooner you see a mycologist, the higher the chance of successful treatment.

It is necessary to treat such a disease with a diagnostic study. This will determine the type of fungus that has affected your nail and prescribe the appropriate medications. You can make treatment easier with folk remedies, but using them in isolation from the main methods is not recommended.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an inflammatory disease that wanders throughout the body and can manifest itself in different parts of the body. Most often, the development of the disease begins with damage to the nails, which become hard and thick, crumbling at the tips.

It is necessary to begin treating the affected nail with local agents. Most often, cortisone mixed with vitamin D is used. The disease can be cured only by systematically applying the ointment to the affected nails - usually before bed.

If the horny plates on the legs are affected in large quantities, then immunosuppressants are also used, but they have side effects:

methotrexate can be included in the main treatment, but it is prohibited during pregnancy and does not allow girls to become pregnant even 90 days after the end of treatment;
cyclosporine can cause hypertension, kidney failure and other ailments, but it is more effective;

Hard and thick nails can be treated by injecting cortisone directly into the surrounding skin. But only doctors are allowed to do such activities.

Dysbacteriosis and vitamin deficiency

Dysbiosis is a change in the balance of beneficial and harmful bacteria in the intestines. Often the consequence of this reason is thickening of the toenails, but it is worth understanding that this is not an independent disease, but only a manifestation of another ailment or a consequence of treatment with antibiotics.

Treatment of dysbacteriosis begins with the preparation of a special menu, which necessarily includes fermented milk products with bifidobacteria. In some cases, when harmful bacteria begin to outweigh the beneficial ones by a “large margin,” bacteriophages are prescribed. These means help to suppress their reproduction. Treatment usually lasts about 60 days.

The intestinal microflora is directly involved in digestion. A lack of beneficial bacteria leads to vitamin deficiency - a lack of vitamins, which makes it even more difficult to cure a thickened nail.

To replenish the supply of vitamins and microelements, nutrition is also adjusted and vitamin complexes are prescribed.

Vitamin deficiency can be a consequence of improper functioning of the stomach or pancreas, gall bladder. In this case, they begin to treat the incapacitated organ, accompanied by the intake of vitamins.

Circulatory disorders

Poor circulation in the lower extremities may answer why your toenails become thicker and harder. This happens because the matrix, the basis of the nail plate, does not receive sufficient nutrition, which is why the nail changes its growth characteristics and begins to “get fat.”

Impaired blood circulation can only be treated by addressing the cause that caused it. This may be the deposition of salts and fat cells on the walls of blood vessels or malfunctions of the heart. In any case, do any activities, including using folk recipes, is possible only with the permission of a cardiologist.

Thickenings in children

Why did my child's nail become thicker? The reasons for this may be the same as in adults. However, such nail plate defects should be treated under the strict supervision of a pediatrician. Taking medications for adults is contraindicated, and not all medications for a child can cope with the disease.

The most common cause is a fungus, which often appears first on the hands and then spreads to the feet. Such extensive damage occurs due to the child’s underdeveloped immune system.

As preventive measures, it is necessary to treat the skin on the hands and feet with special antifungal compounds and make food rich in vitamins. These same measures can contribute to treatment. If thickening of the nails is caused by other factors, then you cannot start doing any activities on your own.

Thickening from the toenails can also move to the horny plates on the hands. Therefore, it is so important to start treatment on time with a doctor. In addition, this will avoid relapse and other problems.

Problems associated with nails can cause a person a lot of reasons for concern. But if the fingernails are almost always in sight, then the feet are not always in sight. Thickening of toenails is more common in older people, but is increasingly common among young people. In order to avoid possible complications associated with this problem, you need to understand the cause of its occurrence.

The need to contact a specialist in this field is not only due to the aesthetic component, but also because of the consequences. Any shoe can cause discomfort in case of thickened formations. Over time, this can lead to the formation of ulcers. A thickened nail itself can injure neighboring fingers, which again leads to inflammation.

For healthy nail plates, a normal thickness of 0.5 mm for fingernails and 1 mm for toes is considered normal. In addition, healthy nails are characterized by smooth surfaces, without roughness, and a pinkish tint.

Reasons for deviations

The main reasons that cause thickening of toenails, experts include the following:

poor nutrition. A lack of vitamins and microelements always provokes the development of pathologies. Shortage necessary elements for the growth and development of healthy nails or metabolic disorders can lead to thickening of the plates;
impaired blood circulation in the fingertips, which can cause abnormalities in the development of plates on the legs. Often accompanied by atherosclerosis;
are the most common cause of changes in the thickness and color of the keratinized fingertip. Treatment should be started without delay, as there is a risk that the fungus will spread to nearby areas;
injury or inflammation of the nail bed;
, wearing tight shoes can cause deformation of the nail plates;
other non-fungal diseases, in particular, or, can cause the formation of thickenings. Naturally, in this case it is necessary to treat the disease itself;
congenital nature of thickening of the nail plates. Taking vitamin complexes and medicinal baths will help alleviate the patient’s condition.

The exact cause of the appearance of this pathology is determined by the doctor based on the examinations performed, after which a course of treatment and other related recommendations are prescribed.

If the fingernail turns yellow or changes in its density, the doctor should request a test for the presence of fungus. Scraping of biomaterial is done using a metal spatula.

A common cause of deformity can be a leg injury. If there is a strong blow or a heavy object falling from above, the nail plate may be damaged. Thickening of the nail does not appear immediately, because its growth is quite slow. In this case, the healthy part will grow back to normal thickness and you just need to wait complete update nail plate.

Treatment of nail plates

In cases where deviations in the development of nail plates on the toes are caused by fungal diseases, you should not despair. Although treatment is not quick, there are a significant number of antifungal drugs on the market today. For treatment, both general and local agents are used. And in addition there will be drugs with general strengthening properties that increase immunity. human body. As is known, the fungus often settles in patients with weakened immune system. Since mycotic (fungal) diseases are easily transmitted from one person to another, precautions should be taken, especially in areas public use, such as public showers, saunas, swimming pools and so on.

Antifungal drugs may be available in various forms, among which the most common are ointments, creams, tablets and capsules. They can not only destroy fungal cells, but also prevent their development in the future, that is, they reduce the risk of relapses.

Based on active substance To treat toenails, a product from one of the following groups can be used:

containing terbinafine. Such drugs include binofin, terbizine, terbix and others;
containing itroconazole. You can highlight intramycol;
based on fluconazole - diflazon, mycosist, ;
containing griseovulfine and ketoconazole, for example, mycozoral.

The most commonly prescribed are Lamisil, Orungal, Tekbizin, which eliminate fungus in almost all cases.

In addition to pharmaceuticals, such recipes, accessible to everyone, can help in the treatment of thickening toenails. To soften the nail, take a piece of butter. Softened or melted butter needs to be soaked in a gauze bandage, which is used to wrap fingers with thickened plates. The bandage should be wrapped tightly with any in a convenient way, you can even use an elastic band. This compress is left overnight, and to achieve the effect you will need to perform from 5 to 10 procedures.

Kalanchoe or propolis are often used to treat thickened nail plates affected by fungus. Grinded to a mushy state fresh leaves with the help of a bandage they are tied to thick nails. Leave it like this for several hours.

To soften existing thickenings, you can take overnight baths with the addition of soda or medicinal herbs. When moving, in order not to injure the nail, it is better to wear slightly loose shoes or wrap sore toes in any soft cloth.

The main rule for maintaining healthy nail plates is to take care of them regularly, especially when reaching middle age.

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Changes in the size of the toenails, their thickening or yellowing indicate the disease. Such symptoms are typical for fungal exposure, and can also be a consequence of injury. Before starting treatment, it is necessary to find out the reason why the toenails turn yellow and thicken. To do this, it is necessary to analyze the factors that change the condition of keratinized skin.

Causes of thickening and yellowing

The condition of your toenails should be monitored no less carefully than your fingernails. Normal color is close to pink, without growths, grooves and obvious defects. Any external changes, discomfort when walking or pain indicate the onset of the disease. Healthy toenails only become noticeable when they need to be trimmed.

The causes of changes in condition are conventionally divided into pathological and non-pathological. The first are caused by injury or wearing uncomfortable shoes. In this case, the nail on the big toe is most often damaged. This is normal defensive reaction body and treatment in this case is not required.

Not less often, thickening of the nail plate occurs due to exposure to fungus. The symptoms of the disease are as follows:

gradual change in shade to yellow, increase and unevenness of thickness;
if your toenails begin to peel off, this is the first sign of a fungal disease;
spots and stripes appear on the surface, which eventually fill the entire area;
appearance white plaque borderline, unpleasant odor;
Thickening of the nail on the big toe often accompanies itching.

The appearance of these symptoms indicates the presence of infection. Therefore, it is necessary to take action if your toenails turn yellow and thicken. Treatment can be carried out with folk remedies or special medications. The latter are purchased only after visiting a doctor.

The best way to determine the presence of fungus is to lubricate the toenail with iodine. If it does not change color, the problem is not infection. The appearance of dark spots indicates a disease.

Detection and treatment of nail diseases

To eliminate the defect that appears, you must contact a professional medical care. In addition to discoloration, thickening of the toenails is a symptom. Treatment is prescribed only after a final diagnosis - identification of the pathogen. Trying on your own can only make the situation worse.

In addition to fungus, the nail may turn yellow and thicken for the following reasons:

Anemia – thin and pale. Indicate a lack of iron in the body.
Problems with the gastrointestinal tract or liver. Symptoms: slight yellowing without thickening.
Infection in the body - the appearance of bumps without a strong change in color.
Insufficient amounts of copper, zinc or iodine lead to the formation of many white stripes and dots.
Nail brittleness. The main reason is a general lack of vitamins.

A thickened nail with a yellow or close to black color indicates a fungal infection. The process of getting rid of it takes a long time. Therefore, you need to know how to treat thickened toenails using traditional and traditional medicine.

To avoid the occurrence of this disease, it is necessary to constantly maintain personal hygiene. Mandatory measures are to periodically trim nails and use preventative detergents.

Medicines

You can get rid of the disease only through an individual program after medical examination. A specialized doctor will prescribe a course, which, upon additional agreement, can be supplemented with treatment with folk remedies. It depends on how different the thickening nail is from a healthy one, taking into account the patient’s age and the general condition of the body.

The method of treatment does not depend on which finger the thickening or discoloration of the nail appeared on - the little finger, the big finger, or any other. Doctors often prescribe the following medications:

Orungal. The drug has a broad spectrum of action and is effective in the treatment of fungal diseases. It is prepared in the form of syrup for oral administration.
Mikazoral. Available in tablets, syrup or ointment for external use. It is recommended to use in the early stages of the disease, when the thickness of the nail has increased slightly.
Lamisil. Also refers to broad-spectrum drugs. The first effect of treatment will be observed after 4-5 days of use. The time for complete recovery is 3-4 weeks. Designed for outdoor use.
Mixoral. It is made in the form of tablets, ointment or shampoo. Complex use both internally and externally is recommended.

It is not recommended to purchase these products without consulting your doctor. It is also necessary to study possible contraindications. The causes and treatment of yellow and thick toenails are interrelated.

Often, an increase in nail thickness occurs with age. For such cases, a “softer” alternative treatment is recommended. But this can only be done after visiting a doctor and making a final diagnosis.

Folk remedies

The use of traditional medicine is relevant only in the early stages of the disease. If the nail has thickened significantly and yellowness has appeared, it is necessary drug treatment. But in any case, it is recommended to make a diagnosis.

Folk remedies can be roughly divided into steaming nails in warm baths with a special composition and applying compresses to the damaged area of the leg. The following methods are most effective.

Many of us are familiar with such an unpleasant phenomenon as a change in the thickness and color of the toenail, and it is the big toe that suffers first of all.

There is a misconception that this is a purely cosmetic defect.

In fact, everything is much more complicated: for the most part, this is how the body reports health-related problems.

There are three main reasons along which toenails thicken:

consequences of injuries;
fungal diseases;
influence of concomitant diseases (onychodystrophy).

The meaning of effective treatment is to completely eliminate the causes or mitigate their impact.

Let's look at all three cases in more detail.

Treatment

Post-traumatic therapy

Changes in the structure of toenails due to damage from trauma, for example, a heavy object falling on the nail, an unsuccessful pedicure does not require special drug therapy.

Another thing is that you can effectively stimulate the process of healing and restoration of the nail plate.

Nail injury.

When a hematoma forms you should heat the needle, then make a small hole in the nail with it and squeeze out the stagnant blood. After the procedure, apply a cold compress.

Also recommended treat the damaged area ricinol, which has anesthetic properties and relieves inflammation. In addition, ricinol promotes rapid restoration of tissue structures, accelerating the therapy process.

A few days after the nail injury You can use external medications, for example, special gels and ointments such as heparin or troxevasin ointment, arnica. The nail plates are treated with them several times a day for a week.

Has an excellent restorative and anti-inflammatory effect dimexide water solution or novocaine in a ratio of 1:3, applied as a compress to the sore spot.

In treatment, the use of traditional medicine is also quite productive.

The most famous and time-tested remedies are compresses with the following ingredients: laundry soap, bodyagi powder, coarsely ground table salt, soda. Foot baths are good for healing.

Plantain or yarrow leaves are used as materials for the decoction.

Fungal infection.

Antifungal

Very often, the “provocateur” of thickening nails is fungal infections. This circumstance suggests a complex complex treatment with parallel use medicines and traditional medicine recipes.

Drug treatment involves the use of antifungal agents. These can be either tablets or a variety of gels, creams, ointments, varnishes and patches.

The most highly effective treatment is provided by the use of local agents - mycosan, terbasil, betrafen, mifungar, lamisil and some others, which will be prescribed by a dermatologist.

Directions for use is the same: apply the product to the affected nail twice a day for a week.

With systemic therapy, indicated when the process of infection of the body by fungi is activated or when the disease is severely advanced, fluconazole, terbinafine, and diflucan are used. The duration of therapy is about a month, and the dosage of medications is carried out only by a qualified specialist.

Video about drugs for treating thickened toenails

Folk remedies

Quite varied treatment methods using folk remedies, some of which we present to your attention:

iodine-alcohol solution promotes effective defeat of fungi, while simultaneously possessing antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, cauterizing properties. It should be applied to the affected areas using a sanitary stick or a sterile swab;
have a great effect baths based on tar soap, softening keratinized tissue and killing nail fungi. The method of application is as follows: you need to grate such an amount of soap so that the resulting mass is two tablespoons, then dissolve it in hot water (2 liters are required) and thoroughly steam your feet in the solution for about 20 minutes. This procedure is carried out twice a week;
To prepare the next recipe you will need table salt(one tablespoon) and garlic (one clove is enough). After pressing the garlic, you need to mix it with salt and dissolve it in a glass with hot water. After the infusion has cooled, add four more tablespoons of salt, mix everything and apply water to problem areas. It is recommended to perform the procedure twice a day;
good results can be obtained by using dissolved in water sea salt. Cotton swabs soaked in the solution should be applied every day for ten days;
help also daily compresses with powdered iodinol mixed with celandine. The procedure lasts thirty minutes and is carried out over a week.

On video: thickening of toenails treatment with folk remedies

For concomitant diseases

The cause of the nail damage, that is, the disease that provoked such a change, will be determined by the attending physician after appropriate diagnosis.

General method of drug treatment includes taking mineral and vitamin complexes. Calcium and iron supplements are also prescribed. Treatment is supplemented with sedative medications and immunostimulants. The main products include retinol, nicotinic acid, tocopherol acetate and others.

Naturally, the dosage of medications and the timing of treatment are determined by the doctor.

And a palette of red shades of hair dyes.

There are many more methods of treatment: birch tincture, iodine ointment can come to the rescue... you just need to take into account that treatment with home-grown methods is possible only as prescribed and under the supervision of a doctor, in conjunction with drug therapy.
Otherwise, instead of treatment, you will harm yourself even more.

One day you may notice that one of your toenails has become thick, rough and clumsy. Perhaps nothing bad happened. But in many cases, thickening of the toenails indicates the presence of some problems in the body. From this article you will learn why thickening of nails occurs, what treatment to carry out and what preventive measures can be taken.

Causes of the problem

The nail can thicken for various reasons. Let's look at the most common of them.

Congenital pachyonychia. This is a hereditary disease characterized by thickening of the nail plates. There is nothing terrible about it; it does not affect any functions of the body. Only the aesthetic component suffers.
Fungal diseases. Perhaps the toenail has become deformed as a result of infection with mycosis. This is the most common cause of thickening nails. In this case, diagnosis and treatment should only be carried out by a doctor.
If you regularly wear tight and uncomfortable shoes, your nails can become deformed over time.
Diseases such as gout, rheumatism, atherosclerosis lead to poor circulation in the tips of the toes. This can cause thickening of the nail plates.
Thick nails may indicate a lack of vitamins in the body and poor nutrition.
Inflammatory processes or injury to the nail bed.
Thickening of the nail plate can be caused by certain skin conditions, such as eczema or psoriasis.
The nail may be subject to deformation due to clubfoot and flat feet.

How to deal with the problem?

Treatment for thickened nails depends on what caused it. In some cases it is not necessary at all.

Thick nails resulting from congenital pachyonychia do not require treatment. The only thing that can be advised to people with this disease is taking vitamin supplements and warm foot baths.
If thickening of the nail plates occurs as a result of circulatory problems, then treatment will consist of taking appropriate medications and daily massage of the toes.
If the nail is deformed due to mycosis, then it is necessary to fight the fungus itself. Treatment is carried out with antimycotic drugs and special ointments. Let us remind you that only a highly specialized doctor should make a diagnosis and prescribe medications..
Thickening of the nail plate due to injury does not require any treatment. Over time, the deformed nail will grow back and be replaced by a healthy nail plate.
Thick and on the legs with psoriasis or eczema are only symptoms of the underlying disease. Treatment should be aimed at eliminating the causes that caused the thickening.
For clubfoot and flat feet, we can recommend wearing custom-made orthopedic shoes.
The lack of vitamins and microelements is accordingly compensated for by proper healthy eating and taking complete vitamin complexes.

Preventive measures to avoid thickening

Thickening of the nail plates can be prevented by following recommended preventive measures.

Buy only high-quality shoes made from natural, breathable materials. This will reduce the risk of fungal infection due to constant pressure.
Try to avoid physical injury.
In public places and large crowds of people, observe the rules of personal hygiene.
If you suspect that your nail is deformed as a result of fungal diseases or psoriasis, do not wait to visit a dermatologist. Timely treatment will help prevent the spread of the disease.
Eat properly and nutritiously, spend more time outdoors, and regularly take additional vitamin supplements. A person with a strong immune system is less susceptible to any disease!

As you can see, deformation of the nail plates can be caused by a variety of reasons. And the treatment in each case will be completely individual. And in conclusion, we have prepared a video for you in which an expert will tell you about the most common reason thickening of the nail plate – fungal diseases.

U healthy person The thickness of the nails is no more than one millimeter, they are transparent or pinkish in color. Sometimes the plate thickens, turns yellow and becomes deformed. The nail on the big toe is especially often affected. This is not only unsightly, but can also be a sign of a serious illness. Therefore, there is no need to mask this defect with varnish. Timely diagnosis and proper treatment will help restore your nails to their previous appearance.

Causes of thickening

Doctors explain why nails curl and thicken. All this is due to a systemic disease of the body with viruses, onychomycosis or injury. For these reasons, the nail may become layered, hard, and curved. The plates on the legs are most often damaged, but the arms can also be affected.

Mechanical damage to the nail plate

Tight and uncomfortable shoes lead to damage to the nail and disruption of its normal growth. The surface of the plate is regularly injured, it begins to intensively regenerate, forming a thick protective layer.

There is nowhere to grow forward due to tight shoes, so the nail grows upward and becomes noticeably thicker. It turns yellow with uneven surface, which may be covered with cracks. The nail on the little toe is most often caused by shoes that are too small.

Obstructed blood flow in the extremities also leads to deformation of the nail plates. They change shape, become hard and compacted due to injury, inflammatory disease of the fingers or nail bed. Even an unsuccessful pedicure can lead to such a cosmetic defect. Flat feet or club feet also cause deformation and thickening of the nail.

Diseases

Thick toenails most often occur due to fungal diseases, which affect every fourth person. Onychomycosis or fungus develops unnoticed at first. The patient usually notices signs of the disease in the later stages. Treating fungus is not easy and takes a lot of time. You should consult a doctor if the following symptoms appear:

the thickness of the nails increases, their color changes;
the plate is covered with cracks and begins to peel off;
white or yellow spots appear;
an unpleasant odor occurs;

the skin on the feet, especially in the interdigital area, peels and is very itchy;
If you smear an iodine solution on the affected nail, dark spots will appear on it with onychomycosis.

A fungal infection can be easily distinguished from a traumatic nail hardening by looking at the photo. With mycosis, the nail crumbles, and in advanced cases, peeling and yellowing may appear.

In older patients, keratin plates become distorted due to injury or illness, and not due to age-related changes. They also need full treatment. The cause of nail deformation can also be psoriasis, neuropathy, nutritional disorders and vitamin deficiency, and skin diseases.

For accurate diagnosis and treatment of foot fungus, you need to consult a dermatologist. The doctor will identify the causative agent of the disease and check its sensitivity to antifungal drugs. After this, the patient will be prescribed the necessary treatment. These can be products for external use, antifungal tablets, medications that normalize the immune system.

Treatment of thickened nails

Therapy for a damaged nail can begin only after an accurate diagnosis has been established. Each pathology has its own treatment regimen.

Help with nail plate injuries

If the deformation occurs as a result of injury, then over time the nail will completely recover. To speed up regeneration, you can try the following:

At first, shoes should be loose, preferably open. It is advisable to fix the nail with an adhesive plaster, try to reduce the load on the legs;
The injured area should be treated with anti-inflammatory and painkillers;
A few days after the injury, the nail is lubricated with troxevasin or heparin ointment. The medicine is used four times a day for a week;
Compresses made from bodyagi and soda will speed up recovery. Baths made from a decoction of plantain and yarrow also help restore damaged nails.

Tight shoes

If the nail has become deformed due to narrow and small shoes, then a high-quality pedicure will partially solve this problem. But if the nail continues to be injured, the cosmetic defect will return. For a complete recovery, you need to change your shoes to looser ones.

Sea salt baths are used to quickly restore the nail. To do this, a few tablespoons of salt are dissolved in two to three liters hot water. After the bath, you need to carefully treat the nail with tongs and a nail file. Only its edge is cut off, cutting off the protruding fragments. The upper part of a deformed nail should not be touched, as this will lead to even greater growth. Weekly treatments will speed up recovery.

Onychomycosis

In order to cure nail fungus, medications and folk remedies. In the initial stage of the disease, mycosis can be destroyed with cream, gel or special varnish. In advanced forms, therapy is supplemented with antimycotic drugs for oral administration.

Drug therapy

If the nail begins to change due to mycosis of the feet, then it can only be cured with medical means. They are used for a long time, several months, sometimes up to a year. The most commonly prescribed medications are:

Clotrimazole– ointment or cream. They lubricate the deformed nail twice a day for several months. Suppresses the growth of pathogenic fungi, prevents the development of their cells;
Lamisil cream. Destroys all types of mycoses. They lubricate the nail with it twice a day, and at the same time treat the skin of the feet with the medicine. Helps defeat mycosis, including old ones;
Exoderil– this cream is applied to the nails twice a day for six months;
Cyclopiroxolamine– antifungal agent, produced in the form of varnish, gel, cream. Penetrates into the deep layers of the nail, helps cure all types of pathogenic fungi. To treat the affected plates, it is convenient to use varnish, which is applied once a day for a month. Also helps to prevent nail fungus;
Lotseril– solution or varnish. They treat nails two to three times a week. The drug cures advanced forms of mycosis and prevents infection of healthy surfaces. They are treated with it for a year.

If the disease is advanced or external medications cannot cure onychomycosis, then you have to get rid of the fungus with the help of tablets. The most commonly used drugs are:

Lamisil tablets. The drug is taken twice a day for two months. The medicine should not be prescribed for kidney disease;
Terbinafine. The tablets are taken once a day for six months;
Nizoral. Helps with all types of onychomycosis. Taken twice a day, it is also prescribed for the prevention of fungal diseases.

All antifungal tablets have many contraindications and side effects. Therefore, they are taken only as prescribed by a doctor.

How to treat thickened toenails with folk remedies

Folk remedies are also used to combat onychomycosis. They can treat the disease in the initial, unadvanced stage of the disease. Sometimes they are used as an adjunct to medications.

The best recipes against onychomycosis:

The iodine solution is dripped onto the nail or applied using cotton swab. They are treated in this way for three to six months. There are allergies to iodine, so before starting treatment, check your body - apply a little solution to the skin and wait to see if there is any irritation;
Listerine. It is spread on the nail and rubbed in thoroughly. Another way is baths with Listerine. After steaming, trim the protruding parts of the nail;
A bath with hydrogen peroxide works well to fight fungus. To prepare it, add two tablespoons of peroxide to two to three liters warm water. Treatment is carried out twice a day for one hour;
Three tablespoons of sea salt are dissolved in a bath of water. If you regularly steam your feet in it, the fungus will disappear over time;
Lemon juice removes onychomycosis. To do this, apply compresses from freshly squeezed juice twice a day. Apply the juice to a piece of cotton wool, apply it to the affected area and hold until completely dry;

A mixture of vinegar and glycerin is carefully applied to the deformed nail. They are treated in this way for a month.

Prevention

To prevent thickening, deformation and separation of the nail plates, you must follow the following recommendations:

Shoes should be loose and not injure your feet. Special attention pay attention to the nail of the thumb - it most often suffers from mechanical stress;
Daily foot care, sea salt baths, medicinal herbs, lemon will help avoid fungal infection and improve the condition of your nails;
For beautiful and healthy plates you need to eat well and take vitamins regularly;
To prevent onychomycosis, you should not use someone else’s shoes, take special slippers to the beach, and dry yourself only with your own towel;
Elderly people need to be especially attentive to their nails, as fungal diseases progress rapidly at this age;
Mycosis multiplies quickly in a humid environment, so it is necessary to combat excessive sweating of the feet.

If thickening of the toenails is observed, then you first need to find out the reasons for this phenomenon. In most cases, this is a symptom of a developing disease, not only of a dermatological nature, but also of pathologies internal organs. It is important to promptly identify the provoking factor, take measures to eliminate it, and only then solve aesthetic problems.

Causes of thickening toenails

Common factors that provoke structural changes in the nail plate include:

Nail fungus. The most common occurrence is infection of the nail plate and surrounding tissues by pathogenic microorganisms. It develops at different rates depending on the type of infection and the location of the outbreak.

Using uncomfortable shoes that do not fit the size or anatomy of the foot. Constant pressure and rubbing lead to nail calluses, compactions and thickening of the plate.

Mechanical damage resulting in disruption of the integrity of the nail bed.

Psoriasis. One of the dermatological diseases belonging to the varieties of lichen. It spreads in various areas, damages the epithelium, provokes peeling and detachment of particles on both the skin and nails.

Neuropathy. Dysfunction of nerve fibers resulting from cell depletion. Pathological processes affect not only the functioning of internal organs and the psychological state of a person, but also the structure and thickness of nails.

Heredity.

Decreased immunity, dysbacteriosis, vitamin deficiency, general disorders metabolic processes in the body, poor nutrition - all this affects the condition of the nail plate, increasing the risk of formation of seals and growths.

Only after determining the exact causes of thick toenails should measures be taken to eliminate them. For this, a consultation with a specialist is recommended, during which the doctor will carry out the necessary diagnostic measures.

Symptoms and diagnosis

Thickening of the nail often occurs with accompanying changes in surrounding tissues and a deterioration in overall health, which forms the signs of a particular disease. Depending on the causes of changes in the nail plate, symptoms may differ, but the most common are:

if the average size of the nail plate is about 1 mm, then with thickening this figure can reach 2-3 mm or more;
color change, appearance yellow tint, darkening, while light pink is considered a healthy color;
unpleasant sensations inside or around the nail, itching, redness, soreness;
the plate is rough, partial detachment may be observed;
unpleasant odor, especially when filing or cutting;
deformation of the entire nail.

The main symptoms may also be accompanied by additional ones that are characteristic of the developing disease.

It is not always possible to determine the cause of thickening of toenails only visually or by palpation. Only a doctor after an examination can accurately diagnose the causes of the lump. If necessary, the following are prescribed:

general and biochemical blood test;
bacteriological scraping, which is an informative study to determine the type of fungal infection.

Also, if necessary, the general health of the person and concomitant diseases are considered. If you suspect diseases of internal organs and nervous system that can cause thickening of the plate, hardware studies (ultrasound, MRI, etc.) may be prescribed.

Treatment for thick toenails

Since structural changes in the nail appear under the influence of various factors, treatment also has certain differences. If pathological processes are diagnosed, then the main treatment will be aimed at eliminating them, and the nail will recover over time. In case of injury, including wearing uncomfortable shoes, it is enough to follow the conditions of proper hygiene, choose high-quality shoes that fit, and the problem will also go away after some time.

The most common cause of thickening of the toenail is a fungus; to eliminate it, you will need to undergo a special therapeutic course. It must necessarily include drug treatment; traditional medicine recipes can be used as a supplement.

Drug treatment

Many antifungal and antibacterial drugs can get rid of fungus in a short time. They contain various compounds that are active for certain types of pathogens. That is why such medications should not be used without preliminary diagnosis to determine the type of fungus; it is better to consult a doctor and jointly choose the best option.

The classic method of treating nail thickening using pharmacological agents includes:

external preparations for application to the affected surface: ointments, gels, creams, special varnishes;
tablets for nail fungus are prescribed for particularly advanced cases, when it is necessary to prevent the spread of infection throughout the body;
physiotherapeutic procedures: laser exposure, UHF, diathermy, and so on;
taking vitamins and mineral complexes that help strengthen the immune system.

Treatment must be accompanied proper care behind your fingers, aimed at carefully removing keratinized particles. If there is significant nail layering, surgical intervention may be required to prevent ingrowth into soft tissue.

Folk remedies

The use of traditional medicine recipes for the treatment of thick and hard toenails is auxiliary, but not primary. It must be coordinated with the attending physician so as not to aggravate the situation.

There are quite a lot of methods for healing nail problems using a variety of remedies prepared at home. For fungus, the main ones are compresses with acidic solutions, since they are the ones that can soften the nail plate and make it easier to remove the affected area. Compresses made from apple cider vinegar, lemon slices, iodine and vinegar are actively used.

When giving preference to traditional medicine in treatment, it is important to remember the risks associated with burns and allergic reactions. Equally important is the dubious effectiveness of traditional methods, which in some cases help get rid of symptoms, but do not act on the main cause of the disease.

Prevention

Preventing thickening of toenails is easy. It is enough to observe the rules of hygiene and also follow the following recommendations:

Correct selection of shoes. It must be true to size and made from natural materials. If for a number of reasons you have to wear compressive shoes, then it is necessary to reduce the time you spend in them.

Regular nail care. You should wash your feet daily and moisturize not only your skin, but also your nails. Warm baths with salt and herbal decoctions will be useful. There are cosmetics designed specifically for foot care.

Take precautions regarding the risk of fungal infection. They require regular hygiene, not using someone else’s shoes, hosiery and clothing, neatness in public places, and the use of special shoes (swimming pools, baths).

Maintaining immunity and health by avoiding bad habits, using the right diet, organizing physical activity, walks.

To exclude surgical intervention, as well as other negative health consequences, at the first signs of deformation and thickening of the nail, you should consult a doctor. There is no need to try to eliminate the problem on your own by masking the emerging defect, since over time the situation may worsen, which will only complicate further treatment.

Hello, dear friends.

Healthy and beautiful toenails are an indispensable element of one’s image. modern man like beautiful hair and a snow-white smile, this is especially true in the summer when we wear open shoes. But it happens that over time, toenails become thick and hard, change color and structure, bend, crumble and even curl.

This disease is called subungual hyperkeratosis or onychauxis. It is difficult to hide such a cosmetic defect; besides, thickening of the toenails (and in 95% of cases this is exactly the case) brings great inconvenience to the owner, and often pain.

This problem requires careful and rather long-term treatment, the choice of which depends on the cause of the hardening of the nails.

Have questions about skin and hair care? Ask a question and we will definitely answer.Ask a question

Why do toenails become thick?

There are several reasons for thickening of nails:

the most common is onychomycosis, which we know as nail fungus - in the photo there are nails infected with this unpleasant infection;

Nails affected by fungus

nails become hard and thick with lichen planus, eczema, psoriasis;
Nails also become coarser and yellow with age - in older people, regardless of the quality of care, nails change structure and become thicker due to impaired blood supply to the nail bed;
another reason for thickening of nails is narrow and uncomfortable shoes, and the quality of the nail plate can be ruined not only in an adult, but also in a child who is forced to wear small-sized shoes;

Deformation of toenails due to uncomfortable shoes

the consequences of injuries, as well as prolonged contact with water and chemicals, cause thickening of toenails;
with flat feet, the structure of the toenails is very often disrupted, primarily due to the fact that it is difficult to choose the right shoes;
Nails thicken, peel and break off also with a number of chronic diseases associated with metabolism: anemia, diabetes, allergic reactions.

Thick toenails - what to do?

Treatment for thickened nails depends on the cause of this defect. First of all, we need to eliminate it. That is, if the nails are thickened due to a fungus, then it needs to be cured.

The fastest and most effective method is the use of modern drugs such as Stop Active, or Miconazole and analogues. A more gentle method is to use tea tree oil.

And if you have flat feet, you need to, with the help of an orthopedic doctor, choose special shoes that will prevent your nails from being injured when walking.

In any case, it is very advisable to consult a doctor, since nails can determine the onset of some serious illness, the symptoms of which have not yet appeared.

Foot baths

At home, you should try to soften your nails using folk remedies. The choice of method also depends on the cause of the roughening of the nail plates. The most effective remedy- medicinal baths. General rules such:

the water should be at a comfortable temperature – 36-38 degrees;
long bath – 15-20 minutes;
after it is carried out, you need to dry your feet thoroughly and preferably with disposable napkins, so as not to spread the infection to healthy nails;
after drying, the feet should be treated with a softening or healing cream, or better yet, with a special product for restoring nails, Fito Nails System;
a very effective treatment of nail plates with lemon “butt” (no pulp, just white zest).

Important point! If you don’t know how to soften rough nails, you don’t need to make saline solutions (including sea salt), as they, on the contrary, strengthen the nails.

Nail bath recipes

With essential oils

For baths, add 10 drops of one of the following essential oils to 5 liters of warm water:

orange,
pink,
lemon,
lavender,
fir,
juniper.

In addition to the softening effect, these oils have a pronounced bactericidal effect and will help defeat infection on the feet, if any. Oils can be combined, then take 5 drops of each.

With lemon juice

Lemon juice baths can only be used for diseases when the skin between the toes and on the foot is not damaged, otherwise there will be a strong burning sensation, and areas damaged by the fungus may ulcerate. Lemon juice should be taken no more than 50 grams (2 tablespoons) per 5 liters of water.

With herbs

To soften nails, you can use strong decoctions of such medicinal plants like chamomile, mint, nettle and calendula. For 5 liters of water you can brew up to 100 grams of dry matter or up to 300 grams of fresh herbs. Leave for at least an hour, and then heat to a comfortable temperature.

A very good result is obtained by string - a grass that is used for bathing infants. Such otherwise very useful plants as thyme, sage, wheatgrass, oak bark, and linden blossom are absolutely not suitable.

Bath with milkweed infusion

This plant is poisonous, but very effective in softening nails. You need to take 1 tablespoon of fresh milkweed grass, chop it so that a lot of juice comes out and pour in 50 grams of vodka.

Infuse for a day in a dark place, then pour the infusion into warm water to soak your feet. The duration of the procedure is 10 minutes.

Bath with celandine juice

This remedy cannot be used for fungal nail infections, since the colored celandine juice penetrates deeply into the damaged structures of the plate and causes internal burns.

But for traumatic thickening of the plate, a bath with celandine juice - 1 tablespoon per 2 liters of water (or a glass of dry herb decoction) will be very effective.

True, in this case the nails will turn yellow-orange, but this will fade quickly - within a day they will return to their normal color.

Bath with tar soap

An excellent softener and disinfectant. We recommend using it for fungal and other infectious lesions of the feet.

Buy tar soap (sold in pharmacies), grate about a quarter of a bar on a coarse grater. Next, dilute it in a small amount of warm water.

The duration of the bath is up to 20 minutes, you need to add hot water so as not to catch a cold.

With flaxseed infusion

Take two tablespoons of flaxseed and add a liter of boiling water. Let it brew for 2-3 hours and pour, without straining, directly into the water.

The seeds themselves can be used to massage the skin between your toes and feet, which will soften the skin. This is a very effective folk remedy for softening thick and ingrown nails.

Bath with ammonia

This option allows you to prepare even very thick nails for cutting, but the smell! Of course, it is quite difficult to withstand the strong aroma of ammonia and it will be heard in the house for several more hours.

And if you decide on such a procedure, then for each liter of warm water you need to take 10 drops of pharmaceutical ammonia.

Compresses for softening the nail plate on the toes

This type of compress is even more useful for thickening nails, but they have one drawback - the procedure takes a long time. It takes 8-12 hours to achieve maximum effect. Therefore, it is best to do compresses at night, and in the morning the nails will become much softer and, if necessary, they will be easy to trim.

Aloe leaf (or calisia, which we call golden mustache) should be crushed to form a paste and applied to the affected nails. Wrap everything on top with polyethylene and put on a sock.

Cut fresh ripe pumpkin into slices about 0.5 cm thick and tie tightly to the nail plates. By the way, pumpkin gives up its moisture so much that it practically dries out on the nails.

Grate raw potatoes on a fine grater and add a little olive or any other vegetable oil and cover the nail with this composition. The result will definitely please you. By the way, this paste can also be used to treat cracked heels.

Complex but very useful recipe

The composition can be prepared several times in advance and stored in the refrigerator in a tightly closed bottle. To do this, add 10 ml of iodine and 10 ml of vinegar essence to 10 ml of glycerin. Then shake it all vigorously and pour in 50 ml of water.

Before each use, everything must be shaken very vigorously and carefully, without touching the skin, applied to the nail. It is best to do this with a brush that is used to apply the varnish. After this, immediately attach a medical plaster to the nail.

Cut the mushroom into plastic pieces half a centimeter thick and the size of a fingernail and bandage them tightly overnight.

Boil the potato, mash it and when it has cooled to a warm state, mix it with a teaspoon of honey. Lubricate your nails and put thick socks on your feet.

Take a tablespoon of potato or corn starch and any vegetable oil, make a porridge and apply a thick layer to your nails. There is no need to wrap it in plastic or a bandage, but only protect your feet so as not to rub off the compress. You can just bandage your fingers. In the morning, rinse thoroughly with hot water and apply softening hand cream to your nails. Just a few procedures and your nails will be as good as new.

Rendered and cooled pork fat is an excellent tenderizer. They just need to apply polish to their nails, put on socks and go to bed. You can wash it off with warm water and regular soap.

Cut small onions in half and bake in the oven until softened. When it has cooled to a comfortable temperature, apply tightly to the nails and bandage. By the way, if you have calluses and calluses, at the same time, bandage them too. Soon you will forget about thick nails and problems with the skin of your feet.

Super ointment for nails “7 Days”

Don’t be lazy – prepare this ointment and use it daily before bed. In a week, your nails will be renewed, soft and elastic, like a child’s. To make it you need to take 50 grams of each ingredient:

aloe leaf;
regular onions;
garlic;
fresh butter fat content more than 82%;
beeswax (sold at the market by those who sell honey);

Pass the onion, garlic and aloe through a meat grinder (or chop with a blender), mix well, add oil and wax and place in a water bath.

When the butter and wax melt, stirring, bring the mixture to a boil, let it simmer for 1-2 minutes, pour into a storage container and cool. Keep refrigerated.

Apply a thick layer to the nail plate, attach pieces of cabbage leaf on top (the not very dense part) and bandage each finger tightly. A course of procedures can be carried out periodically as a preventive measure and to improve nail health.

How to Trim Thick Toenails

This seemingly simple procedure can become very problematic, especially for older people who find it difficult to bend over or do not have the strength to split a dense nail plate.

Naturally, the nails will have to be softened first. You can use one of the recipes for baths or compresses described above. Or buy a ready-made softener at the pharmacy - that’s what it’s called. Add to hot water according to instructions and keep for at least 20 minutes.

For cutting, it is best to use nail clippers, since ordinary nail scissors often cannot “tackle” very thick nails. It happens that it is difficult to cope with wire cutters on your own.

In these cases, we will offer you, maybe not very attractive, but effective way. Try using the chicken scissors found in kitchen knife sets. They are designed for cutting bones and can easily handle even very thick nails, and even more so after softening. In order not to embarrass your relatives, buy yourself separate ones and that’s it.

Important! If you have problems with your nails, you should stop using polish and gel, as the nails under them do not breathe and the disease will worsen, making it impossible to hide it.

Prevention and care of toenails

The best option is to regularly perform professional pedicure procedures. But, unfortunately, not many women, not to mention men, can afford this pleasure. Some for a reason high price for these cosmetic services, others - only because there are no specialists where they live.

Those who have mastered this difficult science on their own have virtually no problems with nails. We advise others to regularly perform the following preventive minimum:

wash your feet every day in summer, every other day in winter;
after each wash, treat each nail - lubricate with baby or softening cream, vitamin in oil, olive or sunflower oil;
during the season, sometimes make “masks” for your nails: from strawberries, other berries, bananas;
take foot baths with herbal infusions at least 1-2 times a week;
At the first suspicion of a fungus, apply medicinal ointment.

Such simple care will allow you to keep your nails in good health, and if something goes wrong, you will notice and fix the problem in time.

A healthy person's nails are no more than one millimeter thick and are transparent or pinkish in color. Sometimes the plate thickens, turns yellow and becomes deformed. The nail on the big toe is especially often affected. This is not only unsightly, but can also be a sign of a serious illness. Therefore, there is no need to mask this defect with varnish. Timely diagnosis and proper treatment will help restore your nails to their previous appearance.

Mechanical damage to the nail plate

There is nowhere to grow forward due to tight shoes, so the nail grows upward and becomes noticeably thicker. It turns yellow, with an uneven surface that may be covered with cracks. The nail on the little toe is most often caused by shoes that are too small.

The keratin plates on the legs become thick, yellow and thickened, usually due to an infectious or medical disease. A timely visit to a doctor will restore your nails to a healthy appearance and help you detect a serious illness in time.

Diseases

the thickness of the nails increases, their color changes;
the plate is covered with cracks and begins to peel off;
white or yellow spots appear;
an unpleasant odor occurs;

the skin on the feet, especially in the interdigital area, peels and is very itchy;
If you smear an iodine solution on the affected nail, dark spots will appear on it with onychomycosis.

A fungal infection can be easily distinguished from a traumatic nail hardening by looking at the photo. With mycosis, the nail crumbles, and in advanced cases, peeling and yellowing may appear.

Treatment of thickened nails

Therapy for a damaged nail can begin only after an accurate diagnosis has been established. Each pathology has its own treatment regimen.

Help with nail plate injuries

If the deformation occurs as a result of injury, then over time the nail will completely recover. To speed up regeneration, you can try the following:

At first, shoes should be loose, preferably open. It is advisable to fix the nail with an adhesive plaster, try to reduce the load on the legs;
The injured area should be treated with anti-inflammatory and painkillers;
A few days after the injury, the nail is lubricated with troxevasin or heparin ointment. The medicine is used four times a day for a week;
Compresses made from bodyagi and soda will speed up recovery. Baths made from a decoction of plantain and yarrow also help restore damaged nails.

Sea salt baths are used to quickly restore the nail. To do this, dissolve a few tablespoons of salt in two to three liters of hot water. After the bath, you need to carefully treat the nail with tongs and a nail file. Only its edge is cut off, cutting off the protruding fragments. The upper part of a deformed nail should not be touched, as this will lead to even greater growth. Weekly treatments will speed up recovery.

Onychomycosis

In order to cure nail fungus, medications and folk remedies are used. In the initial stage of the disease, mycosis can be destroyed with cream, gel or special varnish. In advanced forms, therapy is supplemented with antimycotic drugs for oral administration.

Fighting pathology on your own is dangerous. To accurately diagnose and prescribe the correct therapy, you need to consult a dermatologist.

Drug therapy

Clotrimazole– ointment or cream. They lubricate the deformed nail twice a day for several months. Suppresses the growth of pathogenic fungi, prevents the development of their cells;
Lamisil cream. Destroys all types of mycoses. They lubricate the nail with it twice a day, and at the same time treat the skin of the feet with the medicine. Helps defeat mycosis, including old ones;
Exoderil– this cream is applied to the nails twice a day for six months;
Cyclopiroxolamine– antifungal agent, produced in the form of varnish, gel, cream. Penetrates into the deep layers of the nail, helps cure all types of pathogenic fungi. To treat the affected plates, it is convenient to use varnish, which is applied once a day for a month. Also helps to prevent nail fungus;
– solution or varnish. They treat nails two to three times a week. The drug cures advanced forms of mycosis and prevents infection of healthy surfaces. They are treated with it for a year.

If the disease is advanced or external medications cannot cure onychomycosis, then you have to get rid of the fungus with the help of tablets. The most commonly used drugs are:

Lamisil tablets. The drug is taken twice a day for two months. The medicine should not be prescribed for kidney disease;
Terbinafine. The tablets are taken once a day for six months;
Nizoral. Helps with all types of onychomycosis. Taken twice a day, it is also prescribed for the prevention of fungal diseases.

All antifungal tablets have many contraindications and side effects. Therefore, they are taken only as prescribed by a doctor.

How to treat thickened toenails with folk remedies

Folk remedies are also used to combat onychomycosis. They can treat the disease in the initial, unadvanced stage of the disease. Sometimes they are used as an adjunct to medications.

The best recipes against onychomycosis:

The iodine solution is dripped onto the nail or applied with a cotton swab. They are treated in this way for three to six months. There are allergies to iodine, so before starting treatment, check your body - apply a little solution to the skin and wait to see if there is any irritation;
Listerine. It is spread on the nail and rubbed in thoroughly. Another way is baths with Listerine. After steaming, trim the protruding parts of the nail;
A bath with hydrogen peroxide works well to fight fungus. To prepare it, add two tablespoons of peroxide to two to three liters of warm water. Treatment is carried out twice a day for one hour;
Three tablespoons of sea salt are dissolved in a bath of water. If you regularly steam your feet in it, the fungus will disappear over time;
Lemon juice removes onychomycosis. To do this, apply compresses from freshly squeezed juice twice a day. Apply the juice to a piece of cotton wool, apply it to the affected area and hold until completely dry;

A mixture of vinegar and glycerin is carefully applied to the deformed nail. They are treated in this way for a month.

Prevention

To prevent thickening, deformation and separation of the nail plates, you must follow the following recommendations:

Shoes should be loose and not injure your feet. Particular attention is paid to the thumbnail - it most often suffers from mechanical stress;
Daily foot care, baths with sea salt, medicinal herbs, lemon will help avoid fungal infection and improve the condition of the nails;
For beautiful and healthy plates you need to eat well and take vitamins regularly;
To prevent onychomycosis, you should not use someone else’s shoes, take special slippers to the beach, and dry yourself only with your own towel;
Elderly people need to be especially attentive to their nails, as fungal diseases progress rapidly at this age;
Mycosis multiplies quickly in a humid environment, so it is necessary to combat excessive sweating of the feet.

If you notice signs of foot fungus or deformation of the nail plate, you should immediately contact a dermatologist. Timely treatment will help get rid of the infection and return your nails to their former healthy appearance.

Video on topic

Often nail diseases occur on their own, unrelated to any internal pathology. But what to do if changes in color and density suddenly begin? The first thing you need to pay attention to is what color your nails are.

The cause of the pathology can be many factors:

viruses;
herpes;
bacterial microflora;
fungus;
tumors (benign or malignant);
psoriasis;
reaction to taking drugs.

The most common cause of yellow nails is fungus or mineral deficiency. Treatment methods should be aimed at eliminating the underlying problem.

Why might your toenails be thick?

If nails are covered with varnish for a long time, they deteriorate greatly, become hard and dull. It is necessary to stop using polish for a while so that your nails can recover and be able to “breathe.”
You can strengthen brittle and yellowish nails at home. Has medicinal qualities lemon juice.
Processing should be carried out essential oils, yeast for nails or other useful, nutritious products.
If the cause of yellowness is diseases of the internal organs (lungs, liver or diabetes), then the underlying disease needs to be treated.

How to soften toenails affected by fungus?

Fungal infection of the nail plate brings great discomfort to a person’s life. Small microorganisms - dermatomycetes, which have settled under the nails, gradually begin to grow, sending their mycelia in different directions
If the fungal disease is not treated, it will quickly spread to other plates of the toenails and the surface of the interdigital folds. The fungus that lives on the nail surface needs a moist and nutritious environment to develop and grow.
With insufficient foot hygiene, dermatomycetes receive all the conditions for their existence, capturing new habitats and gradually destroying the nail

Nails affected by fungus, over time they become rough and flaky with jagged edges. The nail loses its natural color and acquire a yellow-brown tint. If fungus is detected, nails should be treated immediately. The healing process is difficult and usually takes a long time
There are medications and folk remedies to eliminate fungal infections. Drug treatment and subsequent preventive measures with hygiene will prevent nails from re-infection
When onychomycosis of the nails is detected, complex treatment is prescribed. Oral administration of fungicidal drugs is prescribed by a dermatologist depending on the degree of nail damage. Additionally, antifungal ointments, creams, lotions and sprays are applied directly to the area affected by the fungus.
Treatment consists of completely destroying the fungal flora and renewing the nails until they are completely cured.
Infected nails are cured with the help of substances that have fungicidal, softening and keratolytic properties when applied topically: benzoic, lactic, salicylic acids, thymol, sulfur and other drugs. These ingredients are included in antimycotic ointments and products

Pharmaceutical fungicidal preparations

The pharmacy chain has a fairly wide range of medications intended for the treatment of nails affected by onychomycosis. Let's list modern medicines, most often used for nail fungus.

Varnish Loceril

Varnish Loceryl - easy to use. A layer of medicated varnish is applied to the previously prepared and degreased nail plate 1-2 times a week. Treatment lasts 9-12 months until healthy nails are completely renewed. The medicine is not cheap, but the results are worth it!

The Kanespor kit contains the necessary complex, consisting of an antifungal drug, a scraper and a set of patches. The drug effectively copes with onychomycosis of nails. The nail plate is treated with the medicinal composition once a day according to the instructions. After 7-14 days, the nail softens and should be removed by covering it with a band-aid. The patch is changed once a day.

Exoderil cream and solution are considered effective in the fight against nail fungus. Treatment lasts 2-4 weeks according to the instructions.

The following pharmaceutical preparations are no less effective:

Mycoseptin
Candide
Lamizml
Nizoral
Mycospor
Terbinafine
Lotrimin
Tinactin

One of the most common diseases, a symptom of which is thickening of the nail, is mycotic infection, or, more simply, nail fungus. Typically, thickening of the nail plate appears in the second stage of the disease. And although the first symptoms appear much earlier, they are so subtle and insignificant that many people consult a doctor precisely at the second stage of the infection.

At the first stage of the disease, redness and peeling of the skin around the plate appears. The nail itself becomes brittle and loose. Symptoms come and go and are often ignored. Thickening is a permanent symptom, followed by yellowing of the nail and its detachment from the nail bed.

The fungus is incredibly contagious and is spread from person to person on flakes of microscopic flakes of skin. They can be found in water and on surfaces that a sick person has walked on barefoot. These pathogens survive both in conditions of maximum heating and maximum cooling, and therefore only aggressive acids can kill them. The likelihood of infection increases if there are injuries and damage to your feet, since through them it is easier for bacteria to enter the bloodstream.

Only the body’s own immunity protects against this disease. Thus, people with low immune status are at increased risk of infection - pregnant and lactating women, the elderly, adolescents and children, HIV - positive people etc. The most likely places of infection are gyms (when using showers), swimming pools, saunas, solariums, etc.

Diet

Also often the reason why the nails on the toes and sometimes the hands become thicker is an incorrect or unbalanced diet. Not only a lack of vitamins can cause this problem, but also a sharp change in the usual diet to something else, even if it is balanced and healthy. Such disorders cause a general imbalance in the body, and therefore affect all its components, including the nails.

Both a deficiency and an excess of a particular vitamin or microelement can cause thickening. But most often, any deviations from the norm on the plates are observed precisely due to a lack of certain substances. Thus, in order for nails to be normal, it is very important to consume the required amount of calcium (along with vitamin D, since without it it is not absorbed), iron and zinc. These substances are found in red meat, cheese, dairy and dairy products. The most essential vitamins are group B, A, E and C.

Treatment of toenails in this case consists of normalizing the vitamin and mineral balance, then the thickening will disappear. During the period of seasonal vitamin deficiency, for example, in the spring, it is worth taking additional vitamins in the form of complexes from the pharmacy. However, it is better if these drugs are prescribed by a doctor, because an excess of vitamins for the body is just as harmful as their deficiency. When it comes to nails, it can be argued that an excess of, for example, vitamin C causes cracking and weakening of the nail.

Reasons for increased nail strength in older people

Changes in the condition of the nail plate, shade and strength may be associated with:

diabetes mellitus;
disorders of the kidneys and liver;
manifestation of psoriasis affecting the skin and nail plate;
diseases of blood vessels and heart;
significant endocrine changes;
wearing uncomfortable and tight shoes;
poor foot hygiene;
incorrect nail treatment;
leg injury;
stress;
impaired blood circulation in the nail bed;
lack of vitamins;
the occurrence of a fungal infection on the nails (cutaneous mycoses and onychomycosis)
age-related aging of the nail plate;
deposition of salts in the body.

The choice of a method for softening nails for grandparents should be made after visiting a dermatologist. He will find out the main reason for their strength, prescribe all the necessary tests, and conduct an examination. If the reason lies in aging, and not in disease, then you can quickly soften your toenails before cutting them using the methods below.

Most often, the root of all evil lies in quite serious health problems. If your fingernails become wavy, you should first check to see if fungus has appeared. Fungal infections, unfortunately, most often disfigure nails. A mycologist or dermatovenerologist can easily determine this. There are quite a few types of fungi, and after the necessary research, the doctor will select an individual treatment program and the necessary medications.

In the future, you will only need to follow the simplest and well-known rules of hygiene so as not to encounter the fungus again. However, the source of trouble may not be a fungus, but other pathogenic microbes, which can be “picked up” in any public place: in a bathhouse, sauna, swimming pool, gym, fitness center. And here, again, only a doctor can help.

Long-term studies of the disease have revealed the most common factors that negatively affect the condition of the nail plates on the toes.

Genetic predisposition or pachyonychia, a disease that does not pose a danger to the general condition of the body

Distal onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nail plate resulting from its infection with mycosis

Tight and improperly selected shoes; when such shoes are worn for a long time, the nail plate is deformed, blood flow is disrupted and tissue growth occurs

Poor nutrition and lack of vitamins

General diseases of the body, rheumatism, gout, atherosclerosis (they provoke a decrease in blood flow in the fingertips, which leads to thickening of the nail plate)

Nail injuries

Skin diseases (psoriasis, eczema)

Clubfoot and flat feet

At first glance, nails have a strong, large structure, thanks to which soft tissues are protected. They are not hard, but elastic. In medicine, there are a number of diseases that cause nails to become thick.

Normally, the nail plate should not exceed 1 mm in thickness on the feet, and 0.5 on the hands. The nails on the big toes most often suffer from thickening, and if in addition there are grooves with a yellowish tint, this is a reason to consult a doctor.

If your toenails become thick, your doctor should determine the cause.

List of factors affecting the condition of nails:

consequences of using uncomfortable, constricting shoes;
skin diseases;
one of the symptoms of psoriasis;
nail injury;
inflammation;
deformity due to flat feet;
insufficient blood supply to the nail;
damage to the nerves surrounding the nail (neuropathy);
fungus;
hereditary disease (congenital pachoanychia);
vitamin deficiency or lack of certain microelements.

Nail injuries

The causes of painful thickening are quite varied, but most often it is caused by fungi that disrupt the natural process of formation of new layers of the nail.

Changes in the shape, color and thickness of the nail plate may be caused by the following states:

Fungal infection - onychomycosis, which is caused by a dermatophyte fungus. The plate becomes dull and brittle, covered with multiple tubercles. Over time, the nail is torn away from the nail socket.
Scaly lichen, when foci of fungus are located on the nails. The plates begin to crumble, the surface thickens due to the appearance of ribbing. The nail folds are affected and the nail begins to peel off.
Nail psoriasis. It affects the epidermis or horny plates, on which a monomorphic rash and peeling are formed.
Impaired blood supply to the nail bed. Most often found in older people. The structure of the nails changes, the plate thickens.
Tight or uncomfortable shoes. Compression and deformation of the nail plate most often occurs on the big toe.
Toe injuries.
Long-term or constant contact with liquids or chemicals.
Flat feet.
Chronic diseases associated with a deficiency of vitamins and minerals or metabolism in the body (allergies, diabetes, anemia).

Thickening of nails in old age in women is associated with the onset of menopause. By the age of 50, salts begin to accumulate in the body, some of which are deposited in the nail plates, as a result of which they become coarse and ossified.

Carry out treatment procedures and use medical supplies Treatment is possible only after consulting a specialist. The main goal should be to eliminate the underlying disease. It is necessary to restore nutrition to the nail plate and surrounding tissues. Therapy uses medications, compresses, baths, and nail polishing.

If thickening of the nails is due to a fungus, first of all you need to destroy its spores. Are considered effective modern drugs, such as Stop-Active, Miconazole and its analogues.

Sometimes it is necessary to choose the right comfortable shoes so as not to injure the nail plates when walking. For anemia, vitamin complexes are prescribed orally. In case of allergies, the main allergen is identified, its effect on the body is reduced with antihistamines, and only then nail treatment begins.

Many people live for years with increased thickness of toenails and do not even suspect that this is a violation of the norm. Healthy toenails should not be much thicker than those on your hand. The functional size of the stratum corneum of the plate rarely exceeds 2 mm, and minimum thickness starts from 0.5 mm. When trimmed, the toenail plate cannot require more effort or any particularly strong tool. The nail itself should be clear, slightly pink, but not completely dull white or yellow.

Thickening of the stratum corneum for any reason often causes a change in color - darkening or yellowing of the nail, and only later does the plate increase in size. The transformation can take different forms: nails grow only laterally or suddenly gain vertical thickness, as with onychogryphosis.

A uniform increase in the stratum corneum over the entire surface can be small, 3-4 mm, or have an impressive size - 1 cm or more. Thickening of the nail in older people should not be attributed to age-related changes - it may be a disease not related to the years lived.

Regular self-diagnosis is good for health, but the final verdict must be made by a physician. Fungal diseases of the nails are dealt with by a mycologist, but in other cases there is no need to consult a dermatologist.

There are dozens of diseases that can cause thickening of the nail plates. Some of them are infectious, others are somatic, and some are congenital. Some diseases can be cured or stopped, but there are a number of causes of thick nails that cannot be permanently changed.

There can be many reasons that cause thickening of the horny plate on the legs, but one of the most common is fungal infection.

Various mycoses are easy to distinguish from other types of thickenings: a fungal disease is a gradual process, rarely involving all the toes at the same time. If 1-2 toenails are damaged, but the others remain healthy, then most likely it is a fungal infection.

Also, narrow shoes can cause an increase in the horny plate: it puts pressure on the nail, causing it to increase in thickness to prevent injury. Various injuries are also one of the reasons for the growth of the stratum corneum, although there are other culprits for the increase in thickness.

Fungal infections
Congenital hyperkeratosis
Physical or chemical injuries
Vitamin deficiency or microelements
Psoriasis, eczema, gout and other diseases

Some diseases have nothing to do with the stratum corneum, but can cause thickening of the nails - these are skin and vascular disorders in the body, and they also require treatment.

The age of the patient is not of fundamental importance for thickening of toenails. In children it is usually caused by the same reasons as in older people and adults of both sexes. But most often, thickening of nails in children and the elderly occurs due to various mycoses.

Mental state

Thickening of toenails like the one in the photo can be caused by stress. Any mental stress has a complex detrimental effect on the entire body. Nails are no exception. They can present a whole range of problems. This may include delamination, fragility, weakening, deformation, etc., including thickening. Lack of sleep, stress, strong emotions over a long period of time - all this can cause thickening of the plates.