Why are my toenails thick and discoloured ? Nasty Looking Toenail Help.

I Have Thick Discoloured Toenails!

If you suffer from thick toenails then you are probably getting nagged at by your partner or getting some strange looks at the gym!

Why have i got thick toenails and why are they discoloured and nasty looking?

If you have noticed your one or more of your toenails are thicker then normal and you are struggling to cut your toenails with everyday nippers you are probably suffering from thick toenails (onychauxis). When toenails become thick they have a multitude of dead skin multiply layers of nail and callous and this causes the nail to become discoloured , it may crumble and also smell.

As a Foot health professional i see toenails like these daily and i am going to give you all the information you need so you can prevent thick toenails , treat thick and discoloured toenails and amazingly easy foot health hygiene you can do to prevent your thick toenails reoccurring.

Onymycosis is the medical term for toe nail fungus ,most thick toenails are caused by this so this is the  #1 reason 

toenails become thick. A fungal infection occurs in the nail bed causing the healthy nail to become infected causing thickness, discolouration, crumbling of the toenail.  If untreated the fungus can spread to the other toenails so it is important to use a fungal nail treatment.

The #2 reason for thick toenails trauma causing thick toenails this is called Onychauxis.  Trauma to the nail bed from a heavy item being dropped onto the nail or pressure or friction from poor fitting footwear can cause the nails to become thicker.  Sports such as football, netball , hockey can cause damage to the nails and over time the nails may fall off and as new nails grow the toe nail become thicker.

Poor cirulation and ill health may cause our nails to become thicker over time may be the #3 reason ,As can our age in general as  we get older our skin becomes drier and we do not have young moisturised hair and skin including our nails.

The #4 Reason your toenail may be thick is if you suffer from diabetes which causes bad and poor blood circulation to the lower extremities including the toes of the feet.  When this happens the body cannot supply adequate blood and nutrients to assist the bodies natural growth and nails and skin may be effected. And this will effected the toenails growth and condition, if you have cold feet this can cause chilblains and skin infections similar to athletes foot which will prevent the nails growing healthy and they will discolour and thicken.

Reason #5 i see with patients with thick toe nails is a skin condition like psoriasis and eczema , the skin condition causes dry red patches and very common under the toenails from the nail bed , it appears dry , flaky and may look like callous or a corn but Psoriasis is painful and will need to be treated with a medicated skin cream from your doctor.

Diagnosing your thick toenails 

Related post : What Does Toenail Fungus Look Like?

Are your toenails discoloured? ok so if thats a yes then you also have a fungus infection within the nail bed. Now this may have been caused from the trauma to the nail or it may be the original cause of your thick nail.

The toenail may appear yellow, brown in colour, crumbles easily and has a odour , the toenail may be very dry and brittle in appearance with lines or ridges within the nail.
Some fungal nails may be sensitive in footwear or painful when you try and cut or trim the toenails. 

Best Prescription medicine for thick and discoloured toenails with  fugal infections.

You have options when treating thick and discolured toenails that have fungal infections.  The strongest solution you can get at the chemist is called loceryl which is a topical paint that you apply to your nails once a week and then file the nails down. Expect the toenails to grow slowly so a 6-12 month treatment plan is not uncommon and your doctor will keep checking your toenails regularly.

Lamasil oral medicine is a course prescribe by your GP and the tablets work from within your body (Loverly is topical , applied to the nails) , these may cause irritation , stomach upset , liver damage and may upset other prescribed medicine you take daily.  Personally i do not like this option and would prefer to apply a solution or cream to my thick toenails.

 

Over the counter creams and topical solutions to treat thick discoloured toenails.

As discussed Loceryl is a topical solution that your GP can prescribe for your nails, you can learn more about this at the loceryl website.  My top 5 treatments you can by online and at your local chemist are:

1.  Salu/ Laufwunder - Thick toenails softener.
2.  Gehwol Med Fungus Cream- Treats fungus in the nails.
3.  Curanail solution - like loceryl for early stages of fungus.
4.  Gehwol Fluid - Prevents thick toenails after trauma.
5.  Nail Softener Gehwol softener - Discolured & thick nails . 

Natural treatments for thick and discoloured toenails.

If you prefer a natural home remedy for your toenails then look no further on google for various wacky and sensible genuine remedies that work, including tea tree oil, potassium permanganate crystals which is crystals that turns the water bright purple ! and then leaves your skin brown !! but it works.

My top 5 natural home treatments that work are .

1. Vicks vapour 
2. Vinegar soaks
3. Potassium Permanganate crystals
4. Tea Tree Oil
5. Baking soda and cider vinegar

Read more about these natural remedies here on a previous blog post.

Quick and easy stinky feet secret cure that costs under a $1

What i personally recommend to my patients.

Thick discoloured toenails are usually caused by trauma or fungus infections. 

I personally recommend to my patients H Fungus By Amoils And Gehwol Cream ,

for toenails that are discoloured and when fungus is obvious.  This cream is easy to apply and the discolouration starts to be drawn out in just a few weeks and the nails begin to look natural healthy.

But as with all damaged and fungus toenails it takes time, 6- 12 months is not unusual so patients is required.

If You Suffer from Smelly or white stuff under your toenails then you 100% have a fungal infection,

You are not alone nail fungus is a huge problem and if left untreated will spread to your other toenails.

Suppliers of Gehwol Fungus Cream

If your toenails are really calloused and thick and you cannot cut the nails or the toenails are yellow and discoloured then i would recommend Gehwol Nail Fluid.  This topical solution soaks into the thick toenail and removes the discolouration. Softens the nail so you can trim them.  And prevents ingrown toenails and corns under the toenail.

As with any toenail problem, do not expect over night miracles because they do not happen , which ever treatment you choose  persevere  and be patient.  Nail solutions and creams will need to be applied daily and good foot health hygiene applied.  

Think of the long term goal natural healthy looking toenails you can be proud of!.

References: 

Zara Butti MAFHP MCFHP is a trained Foot Health Professional working with patients with thick and discoloured toenail daily. She is a member of the British Foot Health Association and Foot Health Expert Blogger.

Other Sites you can learn more about foot health conditions and solutions are:

Mankyfeet 

Mankyfeet Insiders Tips Blog

You Tube - Mankyfeet

Orthotic Insole Reviews