Thick Toenails

Author: Chloe Wilson - BSc(Hons) Physiotherapy

Thick toenails are a common problem, particularly in the elderly population. It can be tempting to ignore them, hoping that they will get better on their own, but they are usually an indication of an underlying problem. 

The two most common causes of thick toenails are a fungal infection or a medical condition known as psoriasis, so we will start by having an in-depth look at both of those, including the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options for each one.

We will then go on to look at some of the other possible causes such as aging, injury, Paronychia, Yellow Nail Syndrome, Rams Horn and Diabetes and how to tell which one you have. 

Fungal nail infections are the most common cause of thick toenails, accounting for almost half of all nail-related problems. Around 10% of the population of the States suffer from fungal nail infections. They typically affect the toenails but can in some instances affect the fingernails as well. The medical term for a fungal nail infection is onychomycosis or tinea unguium.

Fungal Nail Symptoms

The infection usually develops first on the edge of the nail and gradually spreads to the middle. The nail gradually thickens and may become discoloured, usually yellow, white, brown or black.

The thick toenails become more brittle as they thickens and small pieces may crumble or break off. As the condition gets worse, pain and swelling may develop in the skin underneath and around the nail. The nail may lift up from the nail bed and there may be an unpleasant odour due to the infection.

Causes of Fungal Nail Infection

Thick toenails from onychomycosis are usually due to Dermatophytes (most common in temperate western countries), Candida or Non Dermatophytic Moulds (most commonly affecting people who live in hot, humid climates).

It is normal to have microscopic fungi on your skin but sometimes this can lead to infection. Factors that increase the risk of developing fungal infections include:

1) Nail Injury: damage to the nail allows the fungus to invade and infect the nail

2) Poor Foot Hygiene: failing to keep the feet clean and dry

3) Shoes: tight shoes, or ones that don’t allow your feet to breathe leading them to become hot and sweaty are the ideal breeding ground for fungi

4) Walking Barefoot: in areas prone to fungal infection such as swimming pools, public showers and gyms

5) Aging: infections most commonly affect people over the age of 60 as nails naturally thicken and grow slower, the blood supply diminishes and there is increased susceptibility to infection

6) Weakened Immune System: from illness or medication

7) Health Conditions: such as diabetes, circulatory problems and psoriasis

Fungal infections can be highly contagious so it is important to take steps to prevent spreading the infection by keeping your feet clean, dry and covered.

Treatment Options

Some cases of thick toenails from fungal infections can be left to heal naturally without any treatment, simply by following good foot hygiene methods. Your doctor may take a swab from under your nail or a toenail clipping and send it off for analysis to confirm the type of fungal infection before starting you on medication. Treatment may include:

1) Anti-fungal Medications: either in the form of tablets or a special paint that you apply directly to the nail. People usually need to continue with these for a number of months until symptoms completely resolve. Oral medications tend to be more effective

2) Nail Removal: Either done surgically or with chemicals. This gives direct access to the nailbed which aids healing 

3) Laser Therapy: Using infrared radiation to produce heat which kills the fungi that causes thick toenails

4) Natural Remedies: Tea tree oil is often used to treat fungal nail infections. Many people report finding it beneficial but there is limited research to support its use

Prognosis & Prevention

It can take many months for painful, thick toenails from fungal infections to settle, and the recurrence rate is relatively high at between 10-50%. This makes prevention all the more important. Things you can do help reduce the risk of developing fungal infections include:

1) Good Foot Hygiene: Keep feet clean and dry, and keep nails trimmed 

2) Appropriate Footwear: Wear clean, cotton socks and good-fitting shoes that allow your feet to breathe

3) Avoid Going Barefoot: In public areas such as showers and swimming pools

4) Don’t Share: Use your own towels, footwear and nail clippers/scissors so as to prevent the spread of infections – if visiting a salon for a pedicure, ensure that all equipment is sterilised between uses

Psoriasis is a common skin condition that can also affect the nails, leading to thick toenails with areas of pitting, ridging, or abnormal contour. Psoriasis of the nails is accompanied by skin psoriasis in approximately 95% of cases, with the classic feature of patches of red, crusty, flaky skin covered with silvery scales, typically on the elbows, knees and scalp and trunk. Psoriasis is thought to be caused by a problem with the immune system which causes an increase in the production of skin cells.

Symptoms of Nail Psoriasis

1) Discolouration: Nails may turn yellow, green or brown and there may be a small red or white spot that looks like a drop of blood or oil underneath the nail

2) Appearance: There may be pitting in the nail which looks like small pinprick holes (caused by a loss in cells from the nails surface), ridges or grooves (that run across the nail rather than up and down) and you may develop thick toenails if there is an infection. White, chalky debris may also build up under the nail, known as subungual hyperkeratosis

3)  Nail Lifting: In some cases, the nail may lift up off, or separate from, the nail bed, starting from the tip and extending towards the root of the nail. This is known as onycholysis

Treatment for Nail Psoriasis

1) Systemic Medication: If you have both skin and nail psoriasis you will be given medication that is for the whole body such as methotrexate

2) Phototherapy: UV light can be helpful in treating both skin and nail psoriasis

3) Nail Creams: to rub into and around the nail such as corticosteroid cream, vitamin D or antimetabolites

4) Injections: Corticosteroid injections under the nail – these can be more effective than creams and can be done every few months

Psoriasis is not contagious so you don’t need to worry about passing on an infection from thick toenails if they are caused by psoriasis, unless there is an accompanying fungal infection. 

Let’s have a look at some other possible causes of thick toenails:

1) Yellow Nail Syndrome

Yellow nail syndrome is a rare condition that causes thick, dicoloured toenails and fingernails. Nails become thick, yellow and excessively curved.

There may be accompanying swelling in the arms and legs (lymphedema), as well as respiratory problems such as bronchiectasis, persistent coughing and pleural effusion (fluid build-up around the lungs).

2) Aging

As we get older, nails grow slower but this can lead them to thickening due to the piling up of nail cells, known as onychocytes. Repeated pressure on the feet and reduced circulation can also lead to thick toenails in the ageing population. 

3) Paronychia

Paronychia is a nail disease caused by a bacterial infection at the side or base of the nail. It may develop suddenly or gradually. The skin around the nail is usually red, inflamed, hot and painful and there is gradual thickening and discoloration of the nails and pus around the nail. It can affect the fingernails or toenails.

4) Diabetes

Foot problems are common in people with type 2 diabetes due to the poor circulation and nerve damage associated with the condition. The nails do not receive the necessary nutrients to grow properly which can lead to blackened, thick toenails. Good foot care is vital for anyone who suffers from Diabetes and if you notice anything unusual, even if it seems fairly minor, you should seek medical advice immediately. 

5) Ram’s Horn

Ram’s Horn, aka onychogryphosis, is a condition most commonly seen in the elderly, where overgrowth of the toenails leads to discoloured, deformed (typically curved), thickened toenails that gradually curl to resemble a ram’s horn. It typically develops due to cell damage from wearing tight, ill-fitting shoes, decreased blood supply to the nail, trauma/injury (such as dropping something heavy on the foot), infection, poor foot hygiene and failure to regularly trim the toenails.

Onychogryphosis usually need to be treated by a podiatrist as they become too thick to cut with conventional scissors or clippers. The nail may need removing altogether using the chemical phenol or a carbon dioxide laser.

6) Injury

Repetitive minor trauma or pressure on the nail can result in thick toenails. This commonly affects athletes and runners or people who wear tight, ill-fitting shoes. Alternatively, a more major injury, such as stubbing your toe or dropping a heavy object onto the toe can lead to thick toenails, particularly if the nailbed is damaged.

Here we have look at the most common causes of thick toenails. Whilst it can be tempting to ignore the problem, prompt medical advice should be sought to discover the underlying cause and to prevent the condition from deteriorating further.

If pain in your toes is more of a problem, visit the toe pain section to find out what might be going on.

Go to Diagnosis Overview or Foot Pain Guide