why do toenails get thicker as you age
Many of our podiatry patients remark on how thick their toenails become as they enter (and pass) middle age. Their toenails become notably tougher to trim, which makes the possibility of cuts to the skin around the nails a real possibility. Thickened toenails also splinter easily. Toenails thicken due to aging, but other factors may also be at play. Unfortunately, thickening toenails are a by-product of aging, in most cases. As we age, our toenails and fingernails slow their growth rate, and the nails thicken because the nail cells, called onychocytes, sort of pile up. Fingernails appear to thicken less, probably because we tend to them more often with filing and buffing, which thins them.
But in addition to this natural thickening of the nails, other factors may be at play also. Among them are trauma, fungal infections, and impaired circulation. Feet are under constant stress from falling objects, stubbing injuries, poor foowear, closed-in footwear, and athletic activities. All of these conditions can alter the cells from which the nails grow, and if one tends to stub or injure the same toe, the nail plate can easily become thickened or disfigured. , or P. A. D. , a vascular disease which restricts blood flow to the extremities, can also cause thickened, brittle toenails.
Fungus also plays a key role, as it thrives in the moist, dark interior of a shoe. Besides causing the toenail to thicken, a fungal infection may also cause the nail to yellow, become brittle, separate from the nail bed, and possibly emit a foul odor. In this case,Вyour podiatrist may recommend trimming and cleaning (debridement) the toenail, a prescription topical creme or prescription oral medicine. Reasons our toenails thicken Psoriasis (accompanied by red, scaly patches)
How to safely trim thickened toenails **If you re diabetic, have peripheral arterial disease, or have, a podiatrist should trim your toenails.
Patients with these conditions frequently have a loss of sensation in the toes, and run the risk of wounding the skin or cutting too deeply when trimming the nails. Soften your toenails by soaking them in warm water for 10 minutes, then dry thoroughly. With a nail nipper, cut straight across the top of the toenail. Use small cuts straight across the toenail to avoid splintering, which may cause an infection. With an emory board or nail file, gently file the edges of the cut toenail to remove sharp corners or edges which may catch on your sock.
Besides debridement, there are few treatment options to alleviate the thickening of due to the natural course of aging. If however, your toenails are thickening due to one of the other causes mentioned above, your podiatrist will discuss a course of treatment with you. Filed Under:, There are many things that cause toenails to thicken. For a start, thickened toenails are mostly seen on mature adults! Some just think thickening happens with age, but I believe that age and continual wearing of shoes over the years, and rubbing against the big toenails go hand in hand and I believe this trauma leads to the thickening of the large toenails particularly.
The other major cause of thickening toenails, is fungal infestation ( or onychmycosis) and if this is the cause then the toenails are often also discoloured, yellow/brown looking. They can also be quite smelly as well. Whichever the cause, and there are other causes as well such as trauma injury etc. it is not up to us to either diagnose or to treat this condition. It is a job for the podiatrist. The good news is that a qualified person can reduce the thickness by filing and relieve the pain that rubbing against the inside of the shoes causes.
- Autor: RubenKilfoyle85
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