Thickened Toenails

What Is A Thickened Toenail?

A thickened nail, also known as onychauxis, is a nail that becomes abnormally thickened due to various factors.

Thickened toenails are more common than thickened fingernails and can be yellowish, brittle, or irregular in appearance. Over time, they may cause discomfort or pain, especially when wearing shoes.

How Do You Get Thickened Toenails?

Thickened nails can develop due to:

Fungal Infections (Onychomycosis): A common cause of thickened nails, fungal infections cause the nail to appear discolored, crumbly, and thick. The infection thrives in warm, moist environments, such as sweaty feet in closed shoes.

Trauma or Injury: Repeated trauma or a single injury to the nail (e.g., stubbing your toe or wearing tight shoes) can lead to thickening. This is common in athletes or individuals who frequently engage in activities that stress the feet.

Aging: Nails naturally thicken and grow slower with age due to reduced blood circulation and changes in nail cells.

Underlying Health Conditions: Conditions like psoriasis, eczema, diabetes, or peripheral vascular disease can affect nail health.

Poor Footwear: Shoes that are too tight or poorly fitted can repeatedly press on the nails, causing them to thicken over time.

Genetics: Some individuals are predisposed to thickened nails due to hereditary factors.

How To Treat A Thickened Toenail

Our foot health practitioner will examine the nail and surrounding area to determine the underlying cause (e.g., fungal infection, trauma, or a medical condition).

Treatment Summary:
(Click to expand)

Nail Reduction

The thickened nail will be trimmed and filed down using specialised tools, such as a burr or electric nail drill. This process is painless and helps reduce pressure and discomfort.

Debridement

Any loose, dead, or discoloured portions of the nail may be removed to improve the nail’s appearance and promote healthy regrowth.

Treatment of Fungal Infections (if present)

Topical Anti-Fungal Treatments: These may be applied directly to the nail and surrounding skin.
Oral Anti-Fungal Medication: In severe cases, a referral your GP maybe recommended, for oral antifungal medication to target the infection.
Advice on hygiene, such as keeping feet dry and changing socks regularly, is also provided.

Footwear Advice

We’ll recommend proper-fitting shoes with a wide toe box to minimise pressure on the nails.
If possible, please avoid tight or high-heeled shoes that can aggravate the condition.

Preventative Care

Regular trimming and hygiene practices.
We encourage moisturising the nail and cuticle with special oils to prevent brittleness.

Follow Up

Regular appointments may be recommended to monitor and manage the condition, especially for individuals with chronic issues or conditions like diabetes.

Foot Care For Everyone

Book An Appointment To Treat Your Thickened Toenails

If the thickened nail is causing pain or difficulty walking, please contact us as soon as you can. Equally, if there are signs of infection (e.g., redness, swelling, pus or odour) you must book in to see a professional. If you have diabetes, poor circulation, or a compromised immune system, your foot health care is vital.

Proper treatment can significantly improve the appearance and comfort of thickened nails, while preventive measures help avoid recurrence.

Book an appointment at The Barefoot Clinic for just £35 and our friendly practitioner will help you put your best foot forward.

Not Sure What You Need?

If you’re unsure what treatment you need, we’ll be able to uncover your symptoms and recommend the required treatment during your appointment. You can also send us a photo via WhatsApp to see if we can identify the issue in advance.