My Nana Swears by This Trick to Reduce the Look of Thick Toenails: Here’s What Really Works
Several factors can contribute to thickened toenails, including:
Aging: Toenails often grow more slowly as we get older. Changes in nail structure, repeated pressure, and years of minor injuries can make them thicker and more difficult to trim.
Fungal nail infections: A fungal infection can cause nails to become thick, yellowish, brittle, crumbly, or separated from the nail bed. The changes often develop gradually and may affect one or several nails.
Repeated pressure or injury: Tight shoes, frequent walking, running, or repeated trauma can damage the nail and cause it to thicken over time.
Skin conditions: Conditions such as psoriasis can affect the nails, causing thickening, discoloration, ridges, or separation.
Other medical factors: Certain health conditions and medications may affect nail growth or appearance.
Because these causes can look similar, thick toenails alone are not enough to determine what is happening.
The Simple Foot-Care Trick That May Help
One traditional approach is to soften the toenails before trimming them. This does not cure a fungal infection or reverse every cause of thickening, but it can make routine nail care easier.
Here’s how to do it safely.
