Let's start with what is the difference between deformed nails and healthy ones?
A normal nail is about one millimeter thick. It is smooth and shiny and has a pinkish color. When the color of the nail plate changes to yellowish or white, and sagging and grooves appear on its surface, and at the same time it thickens, at the same time becoming brittle and brittle - it’s time to sound the alarm! Perhaps all these metamorphoses indicate the presence of a much more serious problem in the body.
In addition, thickening of the nail plate is a rather unpleasant phenomenon for the following reasons.
Firstly, the nail itself looks ugly and not very aesthetically pleasing, causing psychological and physical discomfort to its owner. Secondly, due to pressure on the nail from the shoe underneath, painful ulcers usually occur.
Finally, in advanced cases, the damaged nail often injures neighboring fingers, causing inflammation and infection.
There can be only one way out of the situation: as soon as such a problem arises, it is necessary to quickly find out and, if possible, quickly eliminate its cause. Naturally, with the help of a competent specialist.
Main reasons
If we summarize the main reasons, they form two groups:
associated with internal problems of the body (internal) and nail diseases, most often associated with mechanical injuries (external).
Domestic
The most common cause of nail damage is fungi. Cosmetic procedures alone are not enough here; you need complex and, unfortunately, long-term treatment with special medications.
In this case, self-medication can only aggravate the situation, since effective antifungal therapy can only be carried out after appropriate laboratory tests.
Only based on their results, the dermatologist will prescribe a course of treatment, and, if necessary, recommend surgical intervention.
On the other hand, to protect the body from fungal diseases, it is necessary to take preventive measures, some of which many of us neglect.
Damage to the nail plates is often caused by various chronic skin diseases, which, spreading their range, also capture the nail plates. And in this case, immediate intervention by a dermatologist is required.
On video: reasons for thickening toenails
Most often the specific “culprit” is psoriasis, accompanied by the death of the upper layer of the epithelium, “intercepting” the nails along the way, as well as eczema, dermatitis and other diseases.
Not so often, but a genetic predisposition or, according to scientific evidence, can contribute to unpleasant metamorphoses with nails. pachyonychia.
This is exactly the case when treatment is meaningless and beauty salons can best solve the problem.
Of course, such a solution to the problem, based on hardware pedicure, will be temporary, but of sufficient quality.
The next “provocateur” of nail modifications is stress. Even one severe nervous strain can affect their condition. This requires comprehensive treatment.
And finally lack of vitamins and microelements and minerals necessary for the body can also cause problems with the nail plates. Very often they are aggravated by improper diets. In any case, it is necessary to fill this gap and take multivitamin complexes.
On video: diseases associated with thickening of toenails
External
Exposure to external factors, e.g. injuries or mechanical damage, also affects the health of the nail plates.
Even an incorrectly done pedicure or a heavy object dropped on your finger can cause such a problem.
We do not consider it superfluous to further emphasize the need for careful adherence to preventive measures, in particular, using only comfortable and comfortable shoes.
It is not recommended to wear shoes that are too tight, and the heel height should not exceed 6 centimeters, otherwise you risk not only chronic leg fatigue and poor circulation in the lower extremities, but also negative changes in the nails - splitting and softening of the nails. 
In this article you will find
Prevention
The occurrence of modifications to the nail plates can be avoided by observing the following: preventive measures:
- already from childhood, it should become a habit to regularly carry out thorough hygiene procedures using exclusively individual hygiene items;
- You should not use someone else’s shoes, including slippers, flip-flops, sports shoes, etc.;
- It is not recommended to wear shoes that are too narrow and uncomfortable;
- when buying shoes, fitting should be done only in socks;
- when visiting swimming pools, baths, water parks and other public places, have waterproof shoes with you;
- take constant care to strengthen the immune system.
If you still cannot avoid this unpleasant illness, you must immediately contact a qualified specialist.
To summarize, let us remind you: the keratinized plates on the feet, serving as a natural protection for the delicate tips of the fingers, themselves need to be treated with care.
Observe prevention and, regardless of the causes of troubles, contact a specialist as soon as possible, putting a barrier before more serious problems arise.
Huge yellow or black nails on the hands and feet that resemble animal claws are not a very pleasant sight. They can be so hard that they cannot be cut off, they disfigure legs, and cause horror in people. Thick nails are so hard that they cannot be cut with scissors. Summer shoes are becoming unavailable. For women, this is generally a tragedy. They don’t know what to do about it, panic and hysteria begin.
Why did the nail plate on the big toe of each foot change its structure and become thicker? Thickening and changing color of nails can provoke various diseases.
Causes and symptoms of thickening:
Fungus remedy1.The most common reason for this problem is fungus. The symptoms of fungus are very easy to recognize, as the toes begin to itch first.
An unpleasant odor emanates from the feet and the appearance of the nails deteriorates. It is easy to catch this disease. While visiting beauty salons, gym, solarium, swimming pool. More careless is wearing someone else's shoes. What to do if the nail on your big toe has turned slightly yellow and thicker?
The fungus is easy to treat this way. Even if you don’t have a fungus, it won’t cause any harm, and prevention won’t hurt.
2.Lymphatic circulation disorder is the second reason for this problem. It usually affects the toenails. Elephantiasis of the feet disrupts the uniform supply of nutrients, because the toes experience hypoxia, the nail plate becomes much thicker, and then darkens.
Thickening and yellowing of the nail 3.This trouble can be caused by diabetes. During the course of this disease, the blood supply is disrupted, the nail on the big toe experiences a lack of nutrients, becomes thicker, and its color and structure change.
4.Endocrine diseases, change the color and thickness of the nail plate. When the endocrine system is disrupted, the normal production of hormones is disrupted. Some are produced in excess, others, on the contrary, are not enough. If there are not enough hormones responsible for the growth and health of nails, then they become thick and change color.
5. Liver diseases, often lead to this problem. Seals, yellowness, roughness, grooves on the nails are one of the signs of liver disease.
6.Cardiac ischemia, leads to cessation of blood circulation, which causes the entire body to suffer, including the nails. They become very thick and acquire a yellow-gray tint.
7. Nervous system disease neuropathy is a complication of diabetes mellitus. The peripheral type of this disease leads to decreased sensitivity of the lower extremities; they are more susceptible to dryness than other parts of the body. You need to watch every nail. If it changes color and becomes thicker, then you should definitely visit a dermatologist.
Fungus on the nail 8. It happens that yellow and thick nails on a person’s feet or hands are a congenital feature. Disturbance of normal blood circulation leads to the fact that they turn yellow and thicken. This disease is called - onychogryphosis.
8. Because lack of vitamin B and calcium, toenails turn yellow, become streaky, and become thicker.
9. The nail on the big toe became painful and yellow, it’s all to blame wearing tight, uncomfortable shoes. In addition to yellowness, it may have blue and black spots. Over time, the nail falls away from the skin. To ensure your new nail grows healthy, you need to wear comfortable shoes.
10. Old age. In people who have passed the age of sixty, their fingernails and toenails become thicker. This is more likely due to the fact that older people suffer from one of the above diseases, or metabolic disorders.
All these causes can be successfully treated. In order for each of the nails to become healthy again, there are folk remedies, as well as modern medicine.
Folk remedies for thickening of nails:
ethnoscience Before making baths and compresses, it is worth remembering that not all diseases can be cured with folk remedies. Traditional methods usually treat nail plate fungus.
Apple vinegar along with potassium permanganate, it is added to the water in which you wash your feet. Such baths need to be done for exactly a week to restore a healthy appearance to your nails.
Tea tree oil– a good remedy for fungus. Treatment: you need to smear yellowed toenails every day.
Herbal collection, consisting of horsetail, oak bark and calendula, is successfully used for baths, has a quick and long-lasting effect.
Garlic– a product known for its antibacterial effect. In order to fight fungal diseases, garlic must be mixed with alcohol to make a tincture, then wipe your feet with it two to three times a day.
For a good effect, it is better to use two methods of treatment at once. For example, first take a bath, then smear your nails with oil.
After taking baths, you need to treat your steamed toenails with oil.
To treat internal causes use:
ivy leaves, filled with a liter of vodka or alcohol. They are first infused for three days, then taken one tablespoon per day. This helps normalize the functioning of the endocrine system.
Wild clove tea cleanses the blood and normalizes the functioning of the adrenal glands. It is an excellent remedy for treating many diseases, but this type of clove grows only in France.
If the nail has become thicker due to a violation of the outflow of lymph, then it is treated plantain decoction. Making a decoction is very simple. You need to pour one hundred grams of dried plantain leaves with a liter of water, bring to a boil, then simmer over low heat for another ten minutes. You need to take three tablespoons per day.
Honey with garlic You can also mix crushed garlic with honey and take it three times a day.
For some liver diseases, people are treated with fasting, or a special diet, and an herb called milk thistle, which must be taken before each meal. After a month of treatment, the liver is cleansed and the signs of the disease disappear.
The worst thing is when this problem is congenital, then treatment is required constantly.
Congenital thickening can be treated with kombucha. Before applying the compress, you need to steam your feet, then treat each nail with kombucha for 8-12 hours.
At the initial stage of onychogryphosis, the steamed nail plate is treated lavender oil. This treatment is good for prevention (until the nail becomes thick). If the nail plate on your toes has already hardened and taken on a sharp shape, it is better to consult a doctor.
Gives a good effect aloe leaf compress.
A congenital disease does not mean that a person has this shape and color of nails. Usually they become thicker due to a lack of nutrients or some problems with the internal organs. Therefore, you must first identify and eliminate the cause. Treatment with folk remedies is good, but not always effective.
Diagnosis and treatment of thickened nails
Before starting treatment, you need to identify the exact cause, and not guess it, self-medicating and wasting time.
To do this, you need to contact a dermatologist and get a referral from him for the appropriate tests. After passing all the tests, when the reason becomes known. You may have to change your doctor. A thick nail, or rather a small piece of it, is taken for analysis.
Thickening of the nails, which appears due to fungus, lymphostasis, and lack of essential vitamins, can be treated with folk remedies. But if the thickening occurs due to liver disease, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, diseases of the nervous system, it is better to treat them using the methods prescribed by the doctor.
What are the reasons for thickening of nails, why do many people not even consider this a problem and an incipient disease? Because at the initial stage only the appearance deteriorates, there is no pain or discomfort. Although in reality everything is not so simple. It is necessary to immediately pay attention to such complications and begin to eliminate them.
Causes of thickening toenails
A healthy toenail should have a soft pink tint. It should be free of any growths, grooves, stains or other defects. The thickness of a healthy nail should not exceed one millimeter. And all sorts of changes indicate the presence of clear signs of some kind of health disorder. Based on this, it is better not to ignore them.
In the case where the unexpected appearance of a thickening was accompanied by some kind of damage, then there is no need to worry too much. This is a kind of protective reaction of the body. After some time, the nail will recover and no treatment will be needed. This can also be attributed to a genetic tendency to thicken the nail area. Although this can not be found often.
As for the other reasons, they are much more dangerous. They may be psoriasis, poor circulation, fungus, and dysbacteriosis. Thickening of the nail is one of the symptoms characterizing these diseases. Among other things, this list can include a lack of vitamins and microelements required by the body.
In order to understand the cause and find out what to do about this complication, you need to seek the help of a specialist.
Treatment for thickening toenails
Identifying the cause of the disease will help in treatment. Based on this, you must first see a doctor, get tested, and only then a specialist will prescribe the necessary medications.
Drug treatment
In the case where the main reason is a lack of necessary vitamins and minerals in the body, then the doctor will most quickly prescribe a vitamin complex, which can always be bought at any pharmacy.
The same applies to psoriasis, dysbiosis, and other complications that contribute to thickening of the nail area. It should be remembered that only a specialist will prescribe the necessary medicine.
Folk remedies
In addition to pharmaceutical ones, there are a large number of folk remedies that help in the fight against the described complication.
- Apple vinegar. Using this component, you can make the necessary foot baths. If you have a healthy epidermis on your legs, you can use a strong concentration. If there are cracks and wounds on it, water is mixed with a small amount of vinegar. The procedure must be carried out before bedtime. Before doing this, your feet must be thoroughly washed.
- Lemon compress. To heal with this method, it will be enough to cut fresh lemon into slices and place them on problem areas. Using thick socks, it is worth fixing the lemon pieces. This type of treatment must be repeated every ten days.
- Herbal infusion using celandine. To make it, you will need to take two teaspoons of dried herbs, pour a glass of boiling water and leave in a water bath for twenty minutes. The resulting infusion should be used to wipe your feet a couple of times a day. Treatment must be carried out for twenty days.
How can you cure thickening of the nails due to fungal disease?
The first priority when treating a fungal disease should be careful hygiene. This condition is also an effective prevention against the described disease. It is necessary to maintain hygiene and care for your shoes on a regular basis to ensure that they always remain clean and dry.
Birch tar is considered quite effective in this case. At the initial signs of the disease, it is necessary to soap the washcloth with laundry soap and treat the infected area. Then soak your feet in hot water for 25 minutes. Then trim your nails and lubricate your fingers with birch tar. Then put socks on top. Leave your feet with tar for two hours. Then remove the residue with a paper napkin. The tar should be washed off the next morning with cool water.
Video on treating diseased marigolds
The most common factor in changing the shade and thickening of the nail area is a fungal infection. More details about its symptoms and specifics of treatment can be found in the videos below.
A person's appearance is of great importance for success in social life. Many factors depend on it - from getting a job to establishing relationships with people around you. Modern man pays a lot of attention to appearance. The saying “you meet people by their clothes” remains relevant. This explains the popularity of beauty salons that promise to turn Cinderella into a princess in one day.
When taking care of yourself, do not forget about the important procedures of manicure and pedicure. The image of a well-groomed person will not be complete if the condition of the hands and feet leaves an unpleasant impression. Nails are considered a reflection of processes in the body. Changes in the shape, color, structure of the nail plate, acquired thickening, yellowing indicate the occurrence of serious health problems.
The article will talk about the troubles that arise with, the reasons for their occurrence and methods of treatment. A common disease is damage to the nail on the big toe. Men and women are susceptible to damage. Timely treatment will easily solve the problem that caused the thickening of the fingernail. The main thing is to notice the occurrence of changes in time and take corrective measures. Let's consider how not to miss the onset of the disease, what steps to take for recovery.
Regular self-diagnosis will allow you to timely identify and stop further development of negative changes in the nail plate on your toes. You don’t need to have any special skills to carry it out, just know what a healthy nail looks like.
The plate shows a uniform structure, a pale pink tint, and a thickness of no more than 1 mm. When pathologies occur, the nail acquires a yellowish tint, becomes thickened, and splits. The structure of the nail plate changes - tuberosity appears. To prevent the occurrence of serious diseases, it is necessary to regularly examine your fingernails and toenails.
If there are no unpleasant sensations against the background of ongoing changes, the anxiety is justified. The disease, left unattended, will progress, itching may occur, pain appears when walking and other unpleasant consequences. If changes are detected in the structure of the toenails, it is recommended to immediately consult a dermatologist who will prescribe treatment.
Changes in the nail plate are caused by external adverse influences and diseases.
Causes of nail changes not related to diseases
If your toenails turn yellow and thicken, it is worth finding out the cause of the changes. The underlying cause is not always illness. The following factors have a negative impact:
- Shoes that are tight, uncomfortable, or made of poor quality material. Constant squeezing of the toes causes blood flow to slow down, causing changes in the structure of the nail. More often in such cases, the big toe suffers. Poor quality materials provoke detachment of the nail plate.
- Damage (injuries, unprofessional pedicure). Be sure to use sterile instruments for the procedure or have it done by a reliable specialist.
- Chemical damage. It is important to use high-quality nail products - varnish, remover. Even proven materials contain chemicals that damage the surface of the nail. Periodically it is necessary to take a break from using the procedures.
- Taking certain medications can cause changes. For example, antibiotics, drugs containing arsenic. It is enough to wait until the end of treatment, and gradually your toenails will return to their original appearance.
- Nicotine. Heavy smokers are at risk. The harmful effects of nicotine contribute to changes in the color of the nail plate. Smoking causes poor circulation, negatively affecting the structure of the nails.
Troubles of this kind can be resolved quite easily. It is enough to exclude traumatic factors, and after a while your toenails will return to normal. Gradually the thickening will decrease and the natural color will return. Treatment will take time - you will have to wait until the healthy nail grows back completely.
The situation is more complicated with modifications caused by health problems.
Diseases that cause yellowing and thickening of nails:
- Congenital pathology. Thickening of the toe can appear at an early age. Treatment in most cases does not produce results. In appearance it looks like a manifestation of a fungus.
- Skin diseases. Fungus, psoriasis. Psoriasis in most cases becomes a hereditary disease and is chronic. The symptoms are similar to a fungal infection, but the treatment methods are very different. Fungus is an infectious disease caused by bacteria and can be treated. Without proper treatment, it spreads further. Accompanied by an unpleasant itching sensation.
- Circulatory disorders.
- Infections in the chronic stage: syphilis, tuberculosis.
- Respiratory system disorders.
- Infectious diseases.
- Problems with the endocrine system.
- Vein problems.
- Neuropathy. It occurs as a result of previous injuries and is characterized by damage to nerve endings. The course of the disease is rapid or gradual.
- Avitaminosis. A lack of vitamins and minerals weakens the body, leads to the development of various chronic diseases, affecting the condition of the nails on the feet and hands.
The list of diseases is wide. It is impossible to determine by eye the cause of unaesthetic toenails. For example, fungal diseases are caused by many different bacteria. Incorrectly selected treatment will not produce results and can cause additional harm to the body. There is no need to indulge in self-medication. See a doctor and get examined.
Traditional medicine
In parallel with the prescribed treatment, or if the damage is caused by mechanical stress and is not associated with a disease, it is permissible to resort to proven folk recipes:
Remember the main thing - the use of these traditional medicines should go in parallel with drug treatment prescribed by a dermatologist.
Prevention of nail disease
Health problems are easier to prevent than to treat. To prevent the occurrence of diseases, follow simple rules:
- Maintaining hygiene. Regular water procedures using hygiene products prevent the growth of pathogenic bacteria that can lead to nail disease.
- Use of a personal towel.
- You cannot wear or try on someone else’s shoes.
- When buying new shoes, use socks; when purchasing, treat them from the inside.
- When visiting a bathhouse or swimming pool, wear special rubber shoes.
- Feet should be shod comfortably, toes should not be cramped, monitor the quality of the material used.
- Wash the inside of your shoes regularly.
- Socks are required to be changed daily.
Increased levels promote the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria, provoking the development of fungal diseases. A decoction of oak bark will help you cope. Prepare in a proportion of 100 g per 1 liter of water, heat in a water bath for twenty minutes. Should be used cold. Using baby powder will help prevent excessive sweating. Just pour a small amount into your socks or shoes before leaving the house.
Regular use of foot baths using sea salt and various herbal decoctions that have antiseptic and antimicrobial properties will put an additional barrier to the development of nail plate diseases. Remember, if a nail modification is detected, seeing a doctor will help.
Often, fungal infection occurs as a result of neglecting the listed personal safety measures. Treat your own well-being with attention, do not ignore the reasonable advice of specialists and be healthy.
02-07-2016
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This article is based on scientific evidence, written and reviewed by experts. Our team of licensed nutritionists and estheticians strive to be objective, unbiased, honest and present both sides of the argument.
Thickening of the toenail plates does not just happen. There is a reason for everything. And if you also encounter this problem, then before eliminating it, you need to understand the reasons for its occurrence. Only by eliminating them can you return your nails to their former healthy appearance. If you skip this moment, then even regular high-quality manicures will not help bring thickened nails into order.
There are not many reasons why a thickened toenail appears. Conventionally, they can be divided into:
- pathological;
- non-pathological.
Non-pathological reasons include wearing closed, tight and uncomfortable shoes. When wearing it, nails are constantly exposed to mechanical stress (as if they are being scratched), as a result of which regeneration processes occur at an accelerated pace. New cells are formed in very large quantities. And if normally they grow straight, protruding beyond the nail bed, then with constant rubbing they begin to grow upward, as if creating a protective shell.
At the same time, the nails become very dense and... Longitudinal lines and small cracks may form on their surface.
Pathological causes of thickening of toenails include the development of which is provoked by yeast-like fungi. This pathology is quite common. The problem is that at the initial stage of its development the fungus does not manifest itself in any way. People notice its presence on their nails only when the disease is already in full swing.
Has the following symptoms:
- nails thicken and become yellow or dirty gray;
- the nail plate begins to crumble;
- white or yellow spots (stripes) appear on the surface of the nails, which merge over time;
- the nail plates move away from the nail bed, releasing an unpleasant odor;
- A white coating appears around the nail, the skin peels off;
- Nail fungus is also characterized by severe itching and burning (they increase in intensity upon contact with hot water and detergents).
Determining whether you have nail fungus or not is very simple. To do this, you need to lubricate the nail plate with regular iodine. If the nail remains yellow, then there is no problem. If dark spots appear on it, this indicates the opposite. very complex. This requires the use of not only topical drugs, but also products for internal use. Therefore, you cannot do without the help of a doctor.
Treatment for thickened nails at home
Treatment for thickened toenails depends on the cause of the problem. If you did an iodine test at home and it showed a negative result, then you can get rid of thickened nail plates with regular, high-quality pedicures. But it should be borne in mind that if mechanical influence continues to occur on the nails, then you will not be able to get rid of this disease. That is, try to wear open and loose shoes during treatment.
So, if you do not have the opportunity to regularly visit a pedicurist, then you can carry out nail restoration procedures yourself. To do this you will need:
- a bowl of warm water;
- sea salt;
- nail file (but not made of metal);
- tongs or sharp scissors.
Add a few tablespoons of sea salt to a bowl of warm water, dip your feet in it and keep them in the solution for about 20 minutes. After this, dry your feet well and start treating your nails. First, you need to remove the part of the nail that protrudes beyond the nail bed. To do this, use tongs or scissors.
After this, take a file and process the edge of the nail. You should not cut down its surface, as this can lead to even greater growth. If there are cracks on it, you can simply polish them.
Apply a varnish coating on top that has a purple tint. This little trick will allow you to give your nails a healthy tint. Carry out a similar procedure every week until a healthy nail grows. And to speed up this process, you can use medicinal varnishes (you can buy them at the pharmacy).
If you have carried out a test and it gives a positive result, then the first thing you should do is consult a doctor so that he can determine the type of pathogen and prescribe medications for you. They must be taken according to a certain scheme (the doctor will also tell you about it).
At home, thickened nails can be treated using traditional medicine:
- Every day you need to steam your feet in a saline solution (1 liter of water, 1 teaspoon of table salt).
- Every day you need to apply garlic paste to the nail, which is fixed on the nail plate with polyethylene and a bandage (the compress should be left overnight).
- Twice a day, the nail affected by the fungus should be wiped with vinegar.
- You need to apply a slice of lemon to the nail, which also needs to be fixed with polyethylene and a bandage.
- Affected nail plates should be lubricated with iodine at least 2 times a day.
It should be noted that before each procedure, feet should be thoroughly washed with laundry soap. After steaming your nails, you need to scrape off dead particles from their surface.
In addition, at home you can also use them, which help destroy fungal infections and promote rapid nail growth. You need to use them regularly until the healthy nail plate grows completely.
Moreover, all these measures must be carried out in combination with oral administration. Only comprehensive treatment will help you quickly get rid of this disease. Be healthy!
Video about softening toenails at home
