Content

• Steps

Thick toenails can make you afraid to show your feet. The most common cause of thick toenails is a fungal infection, but it can also be age, trauma, or other underlying causes, such as diabetes or psoriasis. Fortunately, the causes of thick toenails can be treated.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Safely trim thick nails

1. 

   Soak your feet in warm water for 10 minutes, then dry thoroughly. Before cutting thick toenails, you must soften your toenails by soaking them in warm water for at least 10 minutes. After soaking, dry your feet thoroughly, making sure to wipe between your toes.

2. 

   
   
   Cut your toenails with nail clippers. Nail clippers are commonly used to trim nails, but these are not strong enough to cut thick nails. Use nail clippers instead of a nail clipper. Nail clippers have longer handles and are easier to grip than conventional nail clippers, and they are designed to cut the toenails horizontally.

3. 

   
   
   Cut each small cut horizontally. Small cuts help prevent the nail from breaking and causing thickening of the nail. You should cut your toenails horizontally. Don't make circular cuts at the corners of the nail, as this can increase the risk of ingrown nails.

4. 

   Be careful not to cut your toe, especially if you have poor blood circulation. Conditions like diabetes, which thicken the toenails, can also cause poor blood flow. This will lead to a decrease in feeling in the foot, which makes you not realize in time when you cut your toe. Improper cuts can lead to infections and dangerous complications, so be extra careful when cutting toenails.

5. 

   
   
   Gently sharpen the nail edge with a nail file or sandpaper. After you have cut your toenail, carefully file the nail to smooth the sharp edges so that it doesn't get caught in the socks. advertisement

Method 2 of 3: Treat thick toenails

1. 

   See a doctor to find out why. It is difficult to determine the cause of the thick toenail if you just see it with your eyes. If you notice that your toenails have become thick or discolored, see your doctor. Your doctor will ask you about your lifestyle and other health problems you may be facing. You may also have a nail sample taken to send to a lab to determine if you have a fungal infection.
   • The most common cause of thick toenail is onychomycosis.
   • Thick toenails can also be caused by repeated damage. This condition most commonly occurs in athletes, but it can also be the result of wearing inappropriate shoes.
   • Other causes include age and underlying medical conditions such as psoriasis and diabetes.

2. 

   Use a prescription antifungal if the cause is a fungal infection. If you have onychomycosis, your doctor will prescribe antifungal medication. It comes in the form of a cream, ointment, or oral medication. Your doctor may also recommend laser treatment to kill the fungus.
   • With severe fungal infections, the doctor may have to remove the nail to completely treat the underlying nail bed.

3. 

   Soak your feet in vinegar to treat fungus at home. The pH of the vinegar is believed to have a fungicidal effect on toenail fungus. Mix equal amounts of vinegar with hot water in a tub and soak your feet for up to 30 minutes at a time.

4. 

   Treatment of psoriasis with steroids. If you have psoriasis, an outbreak can affect your toenails, causing them to thicken. If you have psoriasis flare-ups, your doctor may prescribe steroid medication to help reduce the inflammation. Oral steroid medication may be used, although topical steroid creams are more commonly used.

5. 

   File the nail polish if the cause is age. Nails become thicker as we age. Even though this is a natural part of aging, you can still reduce nail thickness by filing the nail polish with a sandpaper file. If you want, you can go to nail salons to file your nails.

6. 

   Avoid touching or squeezing the toe if the toenail becomes thickened after the injury. If the toenail is thick because of injury, keep it short, wear shoes that fit and try to avoid direct impact on the toenail. If your career involves a lot of exercise, such as a figure skater, soccer player or dancer, your feet will often suffer a lot of impact. Protect your toenails by avoiding kicking or any other direct pressure on the toe.
   • Thick toenails can also be caused by wearing too tight shoes. Choose shoes that fit, especially when doing strenuous activities.
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Method 3 of 3: Prevent thick toenails

1. 

   Dry your feet after bathing or swimming. Try to dry your feet thoroughly after swimming or bathing to keep them healthy. Wet feet are more susceptible to fungal infections.

2. 

   Choose shoes that fit well and are breathable. Tight shoes can thicken your toenails, so be sure to wear shoes that fit and don't tighten your toes. In addition, you should also choose shoes that are breathable when the feet can "breathe". This will help prevent fungal growth.

3. 

   Use clean socks every day. New, clean socks keep your feet dry, so wear new socks every day. If your feet are sweaty or wet, you may need to change socks more often.

4. 

   Wear flip flops in public bathrooms and around the pool. Mushrooms like warm and humid places, so you are more likely to get them in public baths or pools. Protect your feet by wearing sandals or plastic sandals when visiting these places. advertisement