Toenail Thickening: 3 Causes and How to Treat It in Phoenix

If your toenails are feeling thicker than usual, it might be confusing—and honest, a bit embarrassing.

Here in Phoenix and Tempe, many people don’t realize how common toenail changes can be. Whether it’s due to an injury, fungus, or a skin condition like psoriasis, your toenails can say a lot about your overall health.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the four main reasons toenail thickening happens—and when it’s a sign you should get help from a trust-based podiatry expert.

3 Causes of Toenail Thickening Are:

1. Trauma or an injury to your toenail

Trauma or an injury to your toenail is probably the most common cause of toenail thickening that I see in my patients. The root of your nail is very delicate, and any pressure over a long period of time on this root, or your nail bed can cause your toenail to thicken.

Runners, dancers, and other athletes are at risk of having toenail thickening due to the nature of their activities. Toenails pounding into shoes, into the ground, or balls can cause your nail root or nail bed to be damaged, and make your toenail grow out much thicker than it previously was.

A direct hit to your toenail can also cause toenail thickening as well. Take a moment to think back over the years. Have you ever dropped something heavy on your toe? Was there ever a time that your nail lifted and fell off, or was ripped out? All of these things can cause your toenails to thicken due to damage to the nail root and possibly even the nail bed.

2. Toenail Fungus

Source: dermnetnz.org

Toenail fungus is also a common cause of toenail thickening. The fungus that can infect your nails is commonly found in all of our environments but is more commonly found in dark, wet, damp places like the inside of your shoe for example. Being barefoot in spaces that are shared like locker rooms, saunas, and spas also can increase your risk of catching a toenail fungus.

Most people are able to fight off a toenail fungus infection before it causes a problem with how your nail will grow out. For people who have a lower immune system response like diabetics for example, or people with autoimmune disease, the risk of getting toenail fungus increases.

Going to a nail salon that does not autoclave or sterilize their instruments also increases your risk of catching toenail fungus as well.

3. Psoriasis or Psoriatic Arthritis

Source: dermnetnz.org

Yes, psoriasis can affect your toenails as well. For many people with psoriasis, one of the issues is that they will experience toenail thickening. The toenail on someone with psoriasis also can look white, and very crumbly. They usually won't get too long due to them being softer than a healthy nail and will break constantly.

Treatment Options For Toenail Thickening:

A before and after with Keryflex Temporary Nail Restoration

Treatment options for toenail thickening will depend on its root cause.

Toenail thickening caused by trauma

• Unfortunately, when the nail root is damaged in this way, the toenail thickening is permanent.

• Toenails that have thickened due to trauma can be very painful and put pressure on the rest of your toe.

• To give a healthier look to the nail, Keryflex is a temporary and cosmetic nail restoration system. The Keryflex is applied in the office and will have to be reapplied as the nail grows out.

• Surgical removal of the thickened toenail is an option, also called a permanent toenail removal. This procedure can be done in the office, and the nail root is burned, so that no nail can ever grow back.

Toenail thickening caused by nail fungus

• Toenails infected with the fungus can return to normal with treatment of the fungus through laser therapy, and an integrative approach taking into account your diet, lifestyle, and stress levels to best support your body and immune system in being able to fight this infection once and for all.

• Keryflex can also be used to give a normal, healthy look to nails temporarily damaged by fungus, as your new, normal nail is growing out.

Toenail thickening caused by psoriasis

Another before and after of Keryflex

• Usually managing the disease of psoriasis itself with medication can make the nails grow normally again, but unfortunately is not a guarantee.

• Work with your PCP and rheumatologist to find treatment options that work best for you.

• Keryflex is safe to use on nails damaged by psoriasis for a temporary cosmetic enhancement.

Takeaways

Toenail thickening can be a very complex issue and has many causes from an old injury, infection, autoimmune disease, or aging. If you are concerned about the changes or the state of a thickened toenail, it's a good idea to see a foot doctor in your area.

Schedule Your Appointment At Direct Podiatry Arizona

Looking for a podiatrist in Phoenix who offers laser treatment for toenail fungus, with a whole body approach? My name is Dr. Tarr, and I am the owner of Direct Podiatry Arizona in Tempe. To view my available appointment times, click here.