Why Do Toenails Thicken?
June 2, 2021
A number of our patients with ingrown toenails find that their toenails have been thickening with age. For some, this thickness means that the nail is pressing against the top of their shoe, which is pushing the nail into the skin. For others, it’s very uncomfortable and they find their nails difficult to trim – and therefore difficult to prevent from ingrowing. Some are just unhappy with the way their nails look now.
Today we’re sharing why this happens – and what you can do to reduce the thickness of your nails.
What causes nails to thicken?
Most often, this is a byproduct of our natural ageing process. As we grow older, the rate at which our toenails grow slows, and the nail cells start to build up – so our nails thicken. Other factors that can cause our nails to thicken include:- Fungal nail infections – these may also create a yellow/white discolouration in the nails, there may be some brittleness or flaking, the nail may lift upwards, and there may be an unpleasant smell
- Reduced blood flow to the feet – can also promote nail thickening, whether it happens naturally due to ageing or from medical conditions like peripheral vascular disease
- Trauma – this means the pressure from tight footwear on the nails, objects falling onto the feet, stubbing the toes, pressure on the toes in sports, and more. If the nail growing cells become damaged, the nails may grow thick and disfigured
- Psoriasis – psoriasis is often mistaken for a fungal nail infection with thickened, discoloured, brittle or flaky nails