What causes hard discolored toenails?

What causes hard discolored toenails? Over time, debris builds up beneath the nail, causing it to darken. Nails can grow brittle, crumbly, or ragged. Toenails are an ideal environment for fungal infections because they are

What causes hard discolored toenails?

Over time, debris builds up beneath the nail, causing it to darken. Nails can grow brittle, crumbly, or ragged. Toenails are an ideal environment for fungal infections because they are moist and warm. A fungal infection can also cause your toenails to thicken or become distorted.

Why is my toenail thick and brown?

When a toenail develops a fungal infection, it typically turns yellow or brown. It becomes thick and overgrown. Foul-smelling debris also may accumulate under the nail. As the infection continues, the nail may crumble gradually and fall off.

How does a podiatrist treat thick toenails?

Thick toenails (Onychauxic) As the toenail thickens it can put pressure on the ends of the toes and can cause pain. The nails can be cut by a podiatrist and thinned down with an electric burr to reduce any discomfort. This will need to be done repetitively as the nail will continue to grow back thicker.

Why is only my big toenail yellow?

One of the most common causes of yellow toenails in an infection by a fungus that attacks the nails. This is called onychomycosis, and it happens more in adults than children. It can lead the nail to turn yellow, have yellow spots, white patches, or even turn black.

What does Vicks VapoRub do for toenails?

Although designed for cough suppression, its active ingredients (camphor and eucalyptus oil) may help treat toenail fungus. A 2011 study found that Vicks VapoRub had a “positive clinical effect” in the treatment of toenail fungus. To use, apply a small amount of Vicks VapoRub to the affected area at least once a day.

What is the buildup under toenails?

This overgrowth is called subungual hyperkeratosis. People with hyperkeratosis may notice a white, chalky substance under the nail. When this occurs in the toenails, the pressure of shoes pushing down on the nails might cause pain.

What causes old people’s toenails to get thick?

The growth rate of nails decreases when people get older. This results in thickening because nail cells pile up. The process of nail cells piling up is referred to as onychocytes. Another reason why fingernails don’t thicken as much is their growth rate is smaller than the growth rate of toenails.

Why you should never ignore yellow toenails?

The most common cause of yellow toenails is a fungal infection that attacks the nail, known as onychomycosis. It is often ignored initially as there is little if any discomfort, but the longer it is left untreated, the longer it will take to clear when treatment does finally begin.

What deficiency causes yellow toenails?

Your skin, hair, and nails all take on an appearance of vitality when you have plenty of vitamin E. Vitamin E has also been clinically studied as a successful treatment for yellow nail syndrome. Yellow nail syndrome is exactly what you’d think — a condition that causes nails to become discolored, ridged, and thick.

What’s wrong with my big toenail?

Toenails that have grown thicker over time likely indicate a fungal infection, also known as onychomycosis. Left untreated, thick toenails can become painful. Prompt treatment is key to curing the nail fungus. Fungal infections can be difficult to cure and may require months of treatment.

How do you get rid of buildup under your toenails?

How are thick toenails treated?

  1. Clean the affected area with soap and water daily.
  2. Groom your nails regularly.
  3. Apply an over-the-counter fungal treatment after you gently file your nails.
  4. Apply Vicks VapoRub on your toenail each day.

Why are my toenails turning black, what do I do?

Black toenail: Causes and treatment Six causes of a black toenail. There are various reasons for black toenails and many causes are easy to treat. Treatment. Black toe nails may be a result of repetitive trauma from wearing poorly-fitting shoes. Prevention. Preventing black toenails from forming is not always possible. When to see a doctor. Outlook.

Why are toenails so ugly?

The most common cause of ugly toenails is fungus. Fungus is naturally present on our feet and in our shoes, especially in Houston where we have extreme heat and humidity. If given an opportunity to infect, such as after trauma to the toenail, the fungus will do so.

Why are my toenails dying?

Some of the main causes of the dead toenail include wearing tight shoes or the development of blisters under the nail. Sometimes, trauma to the toe or subungual hematoma can cause the problem of a toenail.

Why does nail polish last longer on toenails?

“Polish lasts longer on toes than fingers because we use our hands as tools and they’re in water much more often than toes,” beauty ambassador Sarah Bland explained to Bustle. Just think of all the things your fingers get done, while your toes sit snugly inside their little shoe house.