Thickened toenails. Thickening of the toenail. Treatment for thick toenails

For a long time, toenails may not cause any complaints, until at some point you notice that they have become thick, harder than before, have changed their structure, color, and even curved.

It is practically impossible to disguise this problem, in addition, thickened nails cause painful sensations and bring discomfort to their owner.

What if my toenails become thick and hard and why is this problem?

Why do nails get thick?

This problem is due to the following reasons:

  • the most popular is nail fungus infection;
  • the presence of psoriasis, eczema, etc .;
  • age feature. For example, in older people, the blood supply to the nail bed is disrupted, which leads to its thickening, no matter how good the care was;
  • very uncomfortable or narrow shoes (changes for this reason may affect not only adults, but also children);
  • the consequences of prolonged contact with water, as well as with chemicals, injuries;
  • the presence of chronic diseases that are associated with metabolism - for example, diabetes and anemia;
  • flat feet (also because it makes it very difficult to find the right footwear).

How to get rid of

To completely get rid of the defect, it is necessary to find out why the toenails have become hard and thick, and first eliminate the cause itself.

If this happened due to the defeat of the nail plate with a fungus, then the first thing to do is cure it.

If the reason is flat feet, then you need to visit an orthopedist and, with his help, choose special shoes, thanks to which the nails will no longer be injured when walking, etc.


Whatever reasons contribute to the thickening of the nails, it is still recommended to visit a doctor in any case: according to the condition of the nails, he will be able to determine the presence or absence of symptoms of some more serious disease.

How to soften your nails?

You can use baths, home compresses and other folk remedies on your own. It is only important to select one or another recipe depending on the cause of the defect.

A number of general rules apply to all baths:

  • the water temperature should be within 36-38 degrees;
  • the duration of one procedure is 15-20 minutes;
  • at the end of the procedure, the nails should be well dried using disposable wipes (so the infection does not spread further);
  • when the feet are dry, they need to be greased with cream, but it is best to use a special product designed to restore nails.

In no case use salt baths to soften the nail plate, because, on the contrary, they are designed to strengthen it.


Now let's move on to the recipes for the baths. Perhaps one of these will do:

  1. Squeeze two tablespoons of lemon juice into 5 liters of water and mix. Keep in mind that lemon juice causes a burning sensation, so you can use such a bath only in cases of diseases in which the skin on the feet and around the toes is not damaged.
  2. If problems with nails are a consequence of an injury, then dilute celandine juice in water: for two liters of water you will need a tablespoon of juice. This tool is very effective, but after it the nails may turn orange-yellow for a short time (but soon the normal color will return again) and it is forbidden to use it in cases of nail fungus damage. The fact is that the juice will penetrate deep into the affected nail and this is likely to result in internal burns.
  3. If you need not only a nail softening agent, but also a disinfectant, then a bath with soap will do, but not with ordinary, but with tar. It is recommended to use it specifically for infectious lesions of the nail plate. You can find this soap in any pharmacy, after which you need to grate it on a grater (always on a large one) - you will need about a quarter of the bar, which should be diluted in a small amount of water. For more effect, you can even lubricate your nails with this solution before immersing them in water. As soon as you lubricate, wrap your nails for 10 minutes, and then proceed to the bath. During the procedure, do not forget to add hot water so as not to catch cold.

In addition to baths, compresses are allowed. And although they are also effective for softening nails, compresses have a drawback - the procedure takes quite a long time, from 8 to 12 hours.

On the other hand, if you apply compresses before going to bed, then in the morning you will find that your nails are softer.


So, choose the recipe you like:

  1. Grind a fresh aloe leaf into a gruel, then apply it to thick toenails. Next, wrap them in plastic and put on clean socks on top.
  2. Ripe and fresh pumpkin should be cut into small plates (their thickness should be about half a centimeter) and try to tie them to the nail plates as tightly as possible. Perhaps the pumpkin will dry out almost completely - this is normal, because it gives off moisture well.
  3. Mix a tablespoon each of vegetable oil, corn starch and potato starch and apply a thick layer of the resulting gruel to your nails. They do not need to be wrapped in anything, just protect them so as not to wipe off the product accidentally. Wrap your fingers until morning, and in the morning thoroughly rinse the compress from the nails with warm water, then apply a softening hand cream on them.
  4. Boil one potato, mash it and let it cool. After the resulting puree is mixed with honey (a teaspoon is enough) and everything is applied to the nail plate, and tight socks are put on top.

How to trim thick toenails

It is most reasonable to cut such nails only after you have softened them - any of the above methods will do.

As for circumcision, it is better to use nippers for this purpose, since ordinary manicure scissors often cannot cope with thick and hard nails.

Sometimes even with tongs is difficult, so there is another, albeit somewhat strange, option - scissors for cutting chicken. Sold separately or in kitchen knife sets, they can be used to trim thick nails with ease. Buy them specifically for yourself so as not to embarrass the rest of the household.


Until you get rid of the problems with your nails, give up varnishes and gels for nails, as these means prevent the free penetration of air into the nail and the disease is only aggravated.

Prevention measures

A professional pedicure is considered the most ideal for the prevention of thickened nails, but someone is not able to afford such expenses on a regular basis, while others are due to the absence of good masters in the place where they live.

If you also have problems with a pedicure, then:

  • wash your feet daily in summer and every other day in winter;
  • after washing, always treat all nails with an emollient cream, sunflower or olive oil, and an oil vitamin solution;

Problems with nails can be a lot of concerns for a person. But if the nails on the hands are almost constantly in sight, then the legs do not always come into view. Thickening of toenails is more common in older people, but it is increasingly common in young people. In order to avoid possible complications associated with this problem, you need to understand the reason for its occurrence.

The need to consult a specialist in this field lies not only in the aesthetic component, but also because of the consequences. Any footwear can be unpleasant in case of thickened formations. Over time, this can lead to ulceration. By itself, a thickened nail can injure adjacent fingers, which again leads to inflammation.

For healthy nail plates, a thickness of 0.5 mm for fingernails and 1 mm for toes is considered normal. In addition, healthy nails are characterized by smooth surfaces, without roughness, and a pinkish tint.

Reasons for the appearance of deviations

Experts attribute the following to the main reasons that cause thickening of toenails:

  • improper nutrition. Lack of vitamins and minerals always provokes the development of pathologies. Deficiency of essential elements for the growth and development of healthy nails or metabolic disorders can lead to thickening of the plates;
  • impaired circulation in the fingertips, which can cause abnormalities in the development of the plates on the legs. It is often accompanied by atherosclerosis;
  • are the most common cause of changes in the thickness and color of the keratinized fingertip. Treatment should be started without delay, since there is a risk that the fungus will spread to nearby areas;
  • injury or inflammation of the nail bed;
  • , wearing tight shoes can cause deformation of the nail plates;
  • other diseases of a non-fungal nature, in particular, or, can cause the formation of thickenings. Naturally, in this case, it is necessary to treat the disease itself;
  • congenital thickening of the nail plates. Taking vitamin complexes and medicinal baths will help alleviate the patient's condition.

The exact cause of the appearance of this pathology is established by the doctor on the basis of the examinations carried out, after which a course of treatment and other related recommendations are prescribed.

In case of yellowing of the nail on the finger or a change in its density, the doctor should request a test for the presence of the fungus. Scraping of the biomaterial is done using a metal spatula.

Trauma to the leg can be a common cause of deformity. If a heavy object is hit or dropped from above, the nail plate may be damaged. The thickening of the nail does not appear immediately, because their growth is rather slow. In this case, the healthy part will grow back to normal thickness and you just need to wait for the complete renewal of the nail plate.

Treatment of nail plates

In cases where the deviations in the development of the nail plates on the legs are caused by fungal diseases, you should not despair. Although treatment is not quick, there are a significant number of anti-fungal drugs on the market today. For treatment, both general and local agents are used. And the supplement will be preparations of general strengthening properties that increase the immunity of the human body. As you know, the fungus often settles in patients with a weakened immune system. Since mycosis (fungal) diseases are easily transmitted from one person to another, precautions should be taken, especially in public areas such as public showers, saunas, swimming pools, and so on.

Antifungal medications come in a variety of forms, of which the most common are ointments, creams, tablets, and capsules. They are able not only to destroy fungal cells, but also prevent their development in the future, that is, they reduce the risk of relapse.


Based on the active ingredient for the treatment of toenails, one of the following groups can be used:

  • containing terbinafine. These drugs include binofine, terbizine, terbix and others;
  • containing itroconazole. It is possible to distinguish intramicol;
  • based on fluconazole - diflazone, mycosyst,;
  • containing griseowulfin and ketoconazole, for example, mycozoral.

The most common prescriptions are lamisil, orungal, tekbizin, which eliminate the fungus in almost all cases.

In addition to pharmaceuticals, such affordable recipes can also help in the treatment of thickened toenails. Take a piece of butter to soften the nail. Softened or melted oil is required to soak a gauze bandage, with which to wrap fingers with thickened plates. The bandage should be tied tightly in any convenient way, you can even use an elastic band. Such a compress is left overnight, and to achieve the effect, you will need to perform from 5 to 10 procedures.

Kalanchoe or propolis is often used to treat thickened nail plates affected by the fungus. Fresh leaves, crushed to a mushy state, are tied to thick nails with a bandage. Leave in this form for several hours.


To soften the existing thickenings, you can do baths at night with the addition of soda or medicinal herbs. During movement, in order not to injure the nail, it is better to put on slightly loose shoes or wrap sore fingers with any soft cloth.

The basic rule for keeping the nail plates healthy is to take care of them regularly, especially when you reach middle age.

Both men and women can face this problem when the toenail thickens, deforms, cracks and delamination appear. All these troubles lead to discomfort and require immediate treatment.

Causes of thickening of the thumbnail

A healthy human nail is characterized by a pinkish tint, a smooth surface, no more than 1 mm thick.

If yellow spots, cracks, delamination appear on the nail plate, the thickness of the nail exceeds the norm, then these deformations can be caused by a number of reasons that are either natural or indicate a certain disease of the body. Natural causes include:

A healthy human nail is characterized by a pinkish tint, a smooth surface, no more than 1 mm thick.

  • injury resulting from a blow to the nail, or from falling on the leg of a heavy object. In this case, the nail plate does not require specific treatment, over time, a new healthy nail will grow;
  • genetic predisposition, which, from the point of view of medicine, cannot be completely cured, however you can correct this defect to make the legs look more aesthetically pleasing.

Among the diseases leading to thickening of the nail, the following can be called:

  • nail fungus,
  • circulatory disorders of the fingers,
  • dysbiosis,
  • joint inflammation,
  • rheumatism.

Most often, it is the fungus that causes the thickening of the thumbnail., the treatment of which can be carried out with medication and folk remedies. but to determine an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to undergo a medical examination.


Most often, it is the fungus that causes the thickening of the thumbnail.

Medicines and folk remedies for fungus

In case of a disease of the nail plate, it is recommended to use a special ointment, which can be purchased at the pharmacy in tandem with folk remedies. This approach to the problem will help get rid of it faster and prevent the reappearance of the fungus.

Among medications, ointments such as Lamisil, Exoderil, Laceril have gained particular popularity, they effectively eliminate the problem, are easy to use, and are also available in the form of tablets.

Among the popular recipes, the following are the most effective:

1. Taking trays of apple cider vinegar- the fungus under the influence of the acidic environment of vinegar is gradually destroyed, and the nail becomes healthy and beautiful. You can buy apple cider vinegar or make your own.

To do this, squeeze the juice from 4 kg of apples, mix it with boiled water in a three-liter jar, add dry yeast (¼ part of a bag) and 200 g of sugar, mix everything well. Infuse vinegar for two weeks, closing the jar with a rubber glove.

To prepare the bath ready-made vinegar is poured into a container with warm water, pre-washed feet are lowered there(if there are no scratches or sores on the legs, then it is recommended to make a strong concentrate). Baths are recommended to be done before going to bed, after the procedure, socks are put on the legs.

2. Lemon compress- slices of fresh fruit are applied to the sore nail, the compress is fixed with a film and a heat-saving sock. For the best effect, the compress should be done daily, 14 days.

3. Compress with tincture of birch buds- such a compress well softens the thickened nail on the big toe, which makes it easy to cut off and makes it possible to grow a healthier nail.

For treatment, it is necessary to prepare a tincture: half a glass of birch buds is poured into 0.5 liters of vodka, insisted for ten days. Rub the lesion site with a ready-made solution and wrap it with a film, put on a sock on top. The procedure is recommended to be done at night so that the nail softens as best as possible.

4.Infusion of celandine- kills the fungus and, accordingly, fights against thickening of the nail. To prepare the infusion, 2 teaspoons of dry celandine are poured with a glass of boiling water, insisted on a steam bath for 15 minutes, then cooled. The prepared infusion is used to wipe the affected nails in the morning and in the evening, for 3 weeks.


Infusion of celandine - kills the fungus and, accordingly, fights against thickening of the nail.

Disease prevention

  • wear comfortable high-quality shoes, dry them well;
  • do not wear someone else's shoes especially for oil shale used in the basin;
  • keep your feet clean, change hosiery every day;
  • take relaxing foot baths, for example, with the addition of soda, herbal decoctions, aromatic oils.

Thus, the fungus that provokes the thickening of the nail on the big toe, the treatment of which is carried out with medications and folk remedies, can be completely eradicated and returned to the nails a healthy and aesthetic appearance.

Take care of yourself and be healthy!


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In a healthy person, the thickness of the nails is no more than one millimeter, they are transparent or pinkish in color. Sometimes the plate thickens, turns yellow and deforms. The toenail is especially common. Not only is this ugly, but it can also be a sign of a serious illness. Therefore, there is no need to mask this defect with varnish. Timely diagnosis and proper treatment will help restore the nails to their previous appearance.

Doctors explain why the nails curl and thicken. All this is due to a systemic disease of the body with viruses, onychomycosis, or an injury. For these reasons, the nail can become flaky, hard, and curved. Most often, the plates on the legs are damaged, but the hands can also be injured.

Mechanical damage to the nail plate

Tight and uncomfortable shoes lead to nail damage, disruption of its normal growth. The surface of the plate is regularly injured, it begins to intensively regenerate, forming a thick protective layer.

There is nowhere to grow forward because of tight shoes, so the nail grows upward, while noticeably thickening. It turns yellow, with an uneven surface that may be cracked. The nail on the little toe is most often thickened by shoes that are too small.

The obstructed blood flow in the extremities also leads to deformation of the nail plates. They change shape, become hard and hardened due to trauma, inflammatory disease of the fingers or nail bed. Even an unsuccessful pedicure can lead to such a cosmetic defect. Flat feet or club feet also cause deformity and thickening of the nail.

The keratin plates on the legs become thick, yellow and thickened, usually due to an infectious or medical condition. A timely visit to a doctor will return the nails to a healthy look and help detect a serious illness in time.

Diseases

Thick toenails occur most often with fungal diseases, from which one in four people suffer. Onychomycosis or fungus develops imperceptibly at first. The patient usually notices signs of the disease in the later stages. Fungus treatment is not easy and time consuming. You need to see a doctor when you experience the following symptoms:

  • the thickness of the nails increases, their color changes;
  • the plate is covered with cracks, begins to exfoliate;
  • spots of white or yellow appear;
  • an unpleasant odor occurs;
  • the skin on the legs, especially in the interdigital region, is flaky and itchy;
  • if you smear the affected nail with a solution of iodine, then with onychomycosis, dark spots will appear on it.

A fungal infection can be easily distinguished from a traumatic nail seal from the photo. With mycotic lesions, the nail crumbles; in advanced cases, flaking and yellowing may appear.

In older patients, keratin plates become bent due to injury or illness, not age-related changes. They also need full treatment. Deformation of the nail can also be caused by psoriasis, neuropathy, malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies, and skin diseases.

For an accurate diagnosis and treatment of foot fungus, you need to contact a dermatologist. The doctor will identify the causative agent of the disease, check its sensitivity to antifungal drugs. After that, the patient will be prescribed the necessary treatment. It can be drugs for external use, antimycotic pills, drugs that normalize immunity.

Treatment of thickened nails

Therapy for a damaged nail can only be started after an accurate diagnosis has been established. For each pathology, its own treatment regimen is selected.

Help with injury to the nail plate

If the deformation has occurred as a result of injury, then over time, the nail will fully recover. To speed up regeneration, you can try the following:

  • At first, shoes should be worn loose, better open. It is advisable to fix the nail with an adhesive plaster, try to reduce the load on the legs;
  • The injured area must be treated with anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs;
  • A few days after the injury, the nail is smeared with troxevasin or heparin ointment. The medicine is used four times a day for a week;
  • Compresses from bodyagi, soda will accelerate recovery. They also help to restore the damaged nail of the bath from the decoction of plantain and yarrow.

If the nail began to deform due to narrow and small shoes, then a high-quality pedicure will help to partially solve this problem. But if the nail continues to be injured, the cosmetic defect will return. For a complete recovery, you need to change shoes for looser ones.

To quickly restore the nail, use sea salt baths. To do this, dissolve a few tablespoons of salt in two to three liters of hot water. After the bath, you need to carefully handle the nail with forceps and a nail file. Only its edge is cut off, cutting off the protruding fragments. The upper part of the deformed nail should not be touched, as this will lead to even greater growth. Weekly treatments will speed up your recovery.

Onychomycosis

In order to cure nail fungus, medications and folk remedies are used. In the initial stage of the disease, mycosis can be destroyed with a cream, gel or special varnish. With an advanced form, therapy is supplemented with antimycotic drugs for oral administration.

It is dangerous to fight pathology on your own. For an accurate diagnosis and the appointment of the correct therapy, a dermatologist's consultation is needed.

Drug therapy

If the nail began to change due to mycosis of the feet, then it can be cured only by medical means. They are used for a long time, several months, sometimes up to a year. The most commonly prescribed medications are:

  • Clotrimazole- ointment or cream. They are smeared with a deformed nail twice a day for several months. Suppresses the growth of pathogenic fungi, prevents the development of their cells;
  • Lamisil cream... Destroys all types of mycoses. They lubricate the nail twice a day, at the same time treat the skin of the feet with the medicine. Helps to defeat mycosis, including old ones;
  • Exoderil- this cream is applied to nails twice a day for six months;
  • Cyclopiroxolamine- antifungal agent, produced in the form of varnish, gel, cream. Penetrates into the deep layers of the nail, helps to cure all types of pathogenic fungi. To treat the affected plates, it is convenient to use varnish, which is applied once a day for a month. It also helps to prevent nail fungus;
  • - solution or varnish. They are treated with nails two to three times a week. The drug heals advanced forms of mycosis, prevents contamination of healthy surfaces. They are treated with it for a year.

If the disease is started or external drugs cannot cure onychomycosis, then you have to get rid of the fungus with the help of pills. The most commonly used drugs are:

  • Lamisil tablets... The drug is taken twice a day for two months. The medicine should not be prescribed for kidney disease;
  • Terbinafine. The tablets are drunk once a day for six months;
  • Nizoral... Helps with all types of onychomycosis. It is taken twice a day, it is also prescribed for the prevention of fungal diseases.

All antifungal pills have many contraindications and side effects. Therefore, they are taken only as directed by a doctor.

How to treat thickened toenails with folk remedies

Folk remedies are also used to combat onychomycosis. They can treat an ailment in the initial, unreleased stage of the disease. They are sometimes used as an adjunct to medications.

The best recipes for onychomycosis:

  • The iodine solution is dripped onto the nail or applied with a cotton swab. They are treated in this way for three to six months. There is an allergy to iodine, therefore, before starting treatment, they check their body - they apply a little solution to the skin and wait to see if there will be irritation;
  • Listerine. It is smeared on a nail and rubbed thoroughly. Another way is Listerine baths. After steaming, the protruding parts of the nail are cut off;
  • A hydrogen peroxide bath is good for fighting fungus. For its preparation, two tablespoons of peroxide is added to two to three liters of warm water. Treatment is carried out twice a day for one hour;
  • Dissolve three tablespoons of sea salt in a bath of water. If you regularly soar your feet in it, then the fungus will disappear over time;
  • Lemon juice removes onychomycosis. To do this, put compresses from freshly squeezed juice twice a day. Apply juice to a piece of cotton wool, apply it to the affected area and hold until completely dry;
  • A mixture of vinegar and glycerin is gently applied to the deformed nail. They are treated in this way for a month.

Prophylaxis

To prevent thickening, deformation and delamination of the nail plates, the following guidelines should be followed:

  • Shoes should be loose and not injure your feet. Particular attention is paid to the thumbnail - it most often suffers from mechanical stress;
  • Daily foot care, baths with sea salt, medicinal herbs, lemon will help to avoid fungal infection and improve the condition of the nails;
  • For beautiful and healthy plates, you need to eat well and take vitamins regularly;
  • To prevent onychomycosis, you need not to use someone else's shoes, take special slippers to the beach, wipe yourself only with your own towel;
  • Elderly people need to be especially careful about their nails, since fungal diseases at this age are rapidly progressing;
  • Mycosis multiplies rapidly in a humid environment, so it is necessary to combat excessive sweating of the feet.

If you find signs of foot fungus or deformation of the nail plate, you should immediately contact a dermatologist. Timely started treatment will get rid of the infection and return the nails to their previous healthy appearance.

Video in the topic

Healthy beautiful nails are primarily an indicator that everything is in order with the body.

Yellowing and thickening of the nail plate is not so much an aesthetic defect as a medical problem that requires immediate treatment. The most common complaint is the thickening of the toenails rather than the hands. This problem can occur in both men and women and children. The most common cause of nail deformity is trauma.

But more often all the same, with the pathology of thickening of toenails, the reasons may be associated with a deterioration in health. In any case, if such an ailment appears, make an appointment with a doctor. The sooner you contact a specialist, the earlier the ailment will be detected. And the therapy of a particular disease at the initial stage is always more effective.

A problem such as thickening of toenails, the causes of which can be very different, is more common in older people. Often, young people also face the disease. No matter how old you are, what gender you are, you should understand that this defect requires immediate treatment. Changes in the nail plates, or rather their thickening, may indicate problems that are not related to diseases, you can eliminate them yourself.

Damage to the nail can be caused by the following factors:

  • Wearing uncomfortable, improperly fitted shoes. We love beautiful shoes, but it would still be better if they were also comfortable. Frequent wearing of shoes with unstable high heels is fraught not only with leg fatigue at the end of the day, but also with a slowdown in blood flow and impaired lymph circulation, a change in the color and structure of nails, as well as their foliation and softening. There may also be an increase in the thickness of the nail, most often the thumb. But thickening of the rest of the nails is also possible.
  • Mechanical damage. It is enough to do the wrong pedicure or drop something heavy on your finger.
  • Improper nutrition, frequent diets. Lack of vitamins, minerals, trace elements affects the state of the body negatively, in particular on the condition of the nails.
  • Genetic predisposition.
  • The presence of addictions.
  • A decrease in the body's defenses.

But still, more often the causes of pathologies of thickening of toenails are associated with diseases.

The nail plate can be deformed due to the presence of such diseases:

  • dysbiosis;
  • nail fungus;
  • vitamin deficiency;
  • circulatory disorders;
  • neuropathy;
  • pachyonychia;
  • eczema;
  • atherosclerosis;
  • gout;
  • pathologies of the upper respiratory tract;
  • rheumatism.

One of the most common causes of the disease is pachyonychia. This disease is congenital, it does not affect health. As a rule, only the aesthetic component suffers. Thickening of toenails, the causes of which you already know, need to be corrected immediately. Ignoring the problem is fraught with severe deformation of the surface of the nail, aggravation of the underlying disease.

It is not recommended to use any drugs without the knowledge of the doctor. Treatment of the disease can only be prescribed by a specialist and only after a thorough examination and diagnosis. To this day, no universal tactics for examining patients with such a problem as compaction of the nail plates has been developed.

In order to identify the root cause of thickening of the nails, the following studies are prescribed:

  • sowing for onychomycosis;
  • general and biochemical blood test;
  • chest x-ray (in case of suspicion of tuberculosis, pneumonia or other lung ailments).

After identifying the underlying disease, therapy is prescribed. However, it will only be successful if you follow preventative measures.

Toenails turn yellow and thicken: treatment and prevention of the problem

Therapy for the disease is selected depending on the cause. As you already know, the reasons can be very different: mechanical damage, decreased immunity, unhealthy diet, and various diseases. If your toenails turn yellow and thicken from injury, no treatment is required. After some time, the nail will recover by itself.

The acceleration of the healing process is facilitated by:

  • providing rest. In the early days, it is recommended to limit physical activity and avoid wearing tight, closed shoes;
  • proper care: hygiene, use of home remedies;
  • the use of external agents, in this case ointments: Heparin, Troxevasin.

If the defect is provoked by a disease, then therapy will be aimed primarily at its cure. Quite a frequent question on the forums: "What to do and what should be the treatment if the toenails turn yellow and thicken?" So, you shouldn't do this.

The person who advises this or that remedy does not know the reason. And this can cause aggravation of the underlying disease. Reviews for this or that drug will not help either. The only thing that can be effective is the use of medications prescribed by the attending physician. A common cause of nail deformation is fungus. If the fingers itch and the nails turn yellow and thicken, treatment should be prompt.

As a rule, for the treatment of fungal lesions, the use of topical preparations is prescribed:

  • Terbizil;
  • Lamisil;

These drugs are applied to the nails twice a day, for a week. In addition, the use of antifungal agents for systemic use is prescribed: Flucostat, Fluconazole, Diflucan. In addition, if your toenails turn yellow and thicken due to a fungal disease, homemade folk remedies can be used as a treatment. However, the use of non-traditional remedies must be approved by the attending physician.

Thickening of toenails and treatment with folk remedies:

  1. A good effect can be achieved in the treatment of ailment using an alcohol-iodine solution. It is recommended to apply it twice a day using an ear stick.
  2. The use of baths. For this purpose, it is recommended to use tar soap. Grind the soap with a coarse grater. Dissolve a few tablespoons of shavings in freshly boiled water - about two liters. Cool a little, pour the composition into a basin and lower your feet there for a quarter of an hour. Carry out the procedure every other day.
  3. Sea salt will help with healing. Dissolve forty grams of salt in boiled water. Cool and steam the feet in saline solution. The duration of the procedure is until the water cools down. Perform the procedure every day. The course of therapy is one and a half weeks.

If the nails are deformed against the background of onychodystrophy - a non-fungal lesion resulting from a particular pathology or metabolic disorder, therapy is prescribed only after the root cause is established.

As a rule, drug therapy of onychodystrophy consists in the use of vitamin and mineral complexes, calcium and iron preparations. Prescribe the use of: Retinol, Fitin, Thiamine, Riboflavin, Cyanocobalamin, Tocopherol acetate.

In addition, the use of physiotherapy will not be superfluous:

  • paraffin therapy;
  • iontophoresis;
  • phonophoresis;
  • massage.

In order to eliminate yellowing and thickening of nails of non-fungal etiology, you can use alternative medicine.

  1. The use of essential oils. Tea tree oil and celandine are especially effective. Treat the nail plates with the selected oil, put on socks.
  2. Lemon juice. Lubricate your nails with freshly squeezed lemon juice several times a day. It has whitening properties.
  3. Applying garlic ointment. Chop a few cloves of garlic and combine with 10 grams of butter. Treat each nail with the resulting composition, then wrap it in plastic and put on socks.

In order to prevent thickening of nails, it is recommended to purchase and wear only high quality shoes. It should not pinch your fingers and should be made of natural breathable material. Avoid injuring your nails, practice good personal hygiene in public places. Do not go barefoot in pools, saunas. Treat comorbidities in time and strengthen the immune system, eat right.

The nail on the big toe turns yellow: how to treat the fungus

As you already know, one of the most important reasons for the deformation of the nail plates is the fungus. If you notice that the nails have changed color, have become grayish, yellowish, began to crumble, dry and exfoliate, you may have a fungus. As a rule, the disease manifests itself more often on one or more nails.

The initial manifestation of the disease is the defeat of the tips of the nails, then the formation of whitish or yellowish spots or stripes is noted, which eventually spread to the entire nail surface. In addition to the fact that with the fungus the nail on the big toe turns yellow, there is also severe itching of the dermis around the nail plate and pain around the affected area. Further, there is a thickening of the nail on the big toe, its keratinization.

The thickness and structure of the nail changes, the smooth surface becomes porous. Instead of strong and pink, the nail becomes brittle and yellow. Ignoring the manifestations of the disease is fraught with detachment of the nail bed. Both a child and an adult can face this problem. Treatment for yellowing of the big toenail should be timely and appropriate.

In order to eliminate the thickening of the nail on the big toe, the following are prescribed:

  • antifungal drugs;
  • agents that improve blood circulation in the peripheral tissues of the feet;
  • physiotherapy;
  • removal of the nail (with strong thickening).

For systemic therapy, Griseofulvin, Ketoconazole, Itraconazole are prescribed.

The use of topical agents is also prescribed:

  • preparations containing clotrimazole: Amiclona, ​​Imidil, Kanizona;
  • containing miconazole: Dactarin, Mycozone;
  • bifonazole preparations: Bifasam, Bifosin, Mikospora.

The use of Nicotinic acid, Calcium Dobezilate is often prescribed. These funds help to improve blood circulation.

Important

The medicine can only be picked up by a doctor, do not self-medicate. As an adjunctive therapy, you can use folk remedies.

The following medicine can be used to treat the thickening of the toenail. Chop two cloves of garlic and combine the raw materials with melted natural beeswax - 10 grams, one chopped onion, finely chopped aloe leaf and ghee. Heat the composition over low heat, cool. Apply to the affected nail, and on top, attach a piece of fresh cabbage leaf.

Wrap your finger and put on a warm sock. Replace the compress with a new one after six hours. Now you know why the toenail turns yellow, and you know how to treat a similar ailment. Do not self-medicate. Remember that thickening of the toenail, as well as peeling, itching of the skin - all these are symptoms of fungus - a very dangerous disease.

If your toenail turns yellow, seek medical attention. In order to prevent the development of fungus, it is recommended to follow the rules of personal hygiene, avoid injuries to fingers and nails, wear shoes on the beach, in the pool, sauna, and not wear other people's shoes. Violation or non-observance of these recommendations as a result can lead to fungal infection.