What's Causing My Toenails to Thicken? Fungal Infection or Other Causes

What Causes Thick Toenails?

You glance down at your feet and notice one or more toenails looking thicker than usual. Thick toenails are often caused by a fungal infection under or on top of the nail, but other underlying medical conditions can also lead to changes in toenail texture and appearance.

Toenail Fungal Infections

One of the most common causes of a thick toenail is a fungal infection, medically known as onychomycosis. Fungi can penetrate the nail bed and cuticle area leading to inflammation, debris buildup underneath, and eventual thickening and distortion as the infection progresses.

Psoriasis

Skin conditions like psoriasis can spread to the nails. Psoriatic nails often first show small indents, followed by thinning, irregular surface changes and cuticle detachment before thickening and crumbling may occur in later stages.

Trauma

Injury from acute trauma like dropping something on your toe or from repetitive pressure, such as from shoes that are too tight, can damage nails over time. This can prompt thickness and overgrowth as the nail works to repair itself.

Poor Circulation

Poor blood flow and circulatory issues diminish nutrients to extremities like feet and toes. This slows cell turnover rate and healing, allowing nails to thicken with fungal infections or other conditions.

Identifying a Fungal Infection on Thick Toenails

With toenail fungus being a widespread problem, you’ll want to learn how to spot the telltale signs. Hallmarks of fungal infection on a thickened toenail include:

Yellow Or Brown Discoloration

As the infection moves deeper into the nail over time, it can cause the nail to appear dull, yellowish, or brownish in color instead of a healthy pink hue.

Crumbly Edges and Texture

Fungal infection eats away at the strong keratin protein structure of the nail, leading to a crumbled appearance around the edges and a ragged, irregular surface texture.

Detached Cuticle

As the nail bed becomes inflamed from the spreading infection underneath, you may notice the cuticle detaching from the nail plate and pulling away.

Foul Smell

In some cases, an infected, thick nail with trapped debris underneath may give off a mildly unpleasant odor.

White Spots or Streaks

Tiny white specks or streaks on the nail can signal early fungal activity even before noticeable thickening or discoloration occur.

Other Possible Causes of Thick Toenails

While fungal infection represents the most prevalent culprit behind thick toenails, several other nail conditions share similar symptoms to also consider:

Nail Bruises

Blunt trauma causing blood to pool under the nail can make it appear purple, black or brown until the bruise grows out. This may prompt swelling and thickness as well.

Warts

Viral infections can spark wart growth on thicker skin near nails. The small clusters have a rough, grainy texture and reddish appearance.

Lichen Planus

An inflammatory condition affecting skin and nails, lichen planus arises from an overactive immune system. It can first create tiny holes and ridges in nails before later thickening.

Pterygium

Abnormal scar tissue bands forming across the nail bed slowly pull the nail inward as they contract. This leads to an indented, thickened, distorted appearance over time.

When to See a Doctor About Thick Toenails

In most cases of toenail fungus or other benign causes of nail thickening, the problem is only cosmetic. But leaving thickened nails unchecked also raises infection risks.

Seeing a podiatrist or dermatologist is smart if you observe any of the following for prompt treatment:

Persistent Thickness And Distortion

If nails remain thick, discolored and crumbly for more than a few weeks despite home care, seek medical expertise to confirm a fungal infection and discuss medication options to resolve it.

Debris Under Nail

Trapped gunk under a distorted, lifted nail can increase chances of secondary bacterial infection. Have a doctor safely remove debris and monitor for complications.

Chronic Discomfort

Though typically not painful at first, as thick toenails advance, inflammation in the nail bed can make walking uncomfortable. Have the cause evaluated for relief.

Spreading To Other Nails

Seeking timely treatment helps prevent fungal and other infections from moving from one thick nail to infect additional nails.

Diabetes Risk

Those with diabetes face higher risks with foot infections. Seeing a doctor promptly about thick toenails reduces complications in vulnerable populations.

Caring Properly for Thick Toenails at Home

While waiting for an appointment or under a doctor’s management of a thick nail, properly trimming and attending to the nail is vital to avoid worsening and reduce infection likelihood. Steps to take include:

Sterilize Nail Tools

Prevent cross-contamination by cleaning nail tools with antibacterial soap, hydrogen peroxide or alcohol between uses.

Trim Carefully

Use sharp trimmers to carefully cut back thick areas of distorted nails bit by bit after softening in warm water.

File Down

Gently file down jagged edges or raised sections causing discomfort with an emery board.

Soak Nails

A 10-minute foot bath with epsom salts helps draw out inflammation and debris to aid healing.

Apply Antifungal Cream

For fungal cases, over-the-counter antifungal creams can treat milder infections to help clear thickening.

Wear Clean Socks And Shoes

Change hosiery daily and alternate pairs of moisture-wicking shoes to deprive fungus of warm, damp places to multiply.

When Are Thick Toenails Cause for Concern?

For the most part, nail fungus and associated thick toenails are pretty harmless to health. But any sudden or severe nail changes in high-risk groups warrant urgent evaluation for possible underlying diseases.

Seek prompt podiatry assessment for new, rapidly worsening thick toenails if:

You Have Diabetes

Thickening alongside pain, oozing, warmth or red skin warrants rapid treatment to halt a spreading foot infection.

You Are Immunocompromised

Those on medications like chemotherapy have higher complication risks with nail infections.

You Have Poor Limb Circulation

Numbness, tingling or cold feet accompanying thick nails could indicate PAD or neuropathy complications.

The Nail Detaches

A lifted, loose nail signals deeper damage needing monitoring to prevent further tearing or green nail concerns.

When in doubt, reach out to your family doctor or podiatrist to investigate sudden onset or dramatically worsening nail changes for proper management.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.