Thickened Nails Treatment

Expert Support for Thickened Nails

At Podocare Podiatry, we understand just how painful and uncomfortable thickened nails can be. And if left untreated, can become more so.

That’s why we’re here. We are dedicated to helping patients get back on their feet, comfortably. Learn more about our range of thickened nail treatments across Wakefield, Batley and Sheffield, by getting in touch today.

What are Thickened Nails?

Thickened toenails are a common problem and can make the nails difficult to cut, uncomfortable in footwear and unsightly. In more advanced cases, the nail may become extremely hard, elongated and curved.

The medical terms commonly used to describe these changes are onychauxis and onychogryphosis.

At Podocare Podiatry, our podiatrists can assess the cause of a thickened nail, safely reduce its thickness and recommend a suitable treatment and management plan.

What Is Onychauxis?

Onychauxis describes an abnormal thickening of the nail plate. The nail becomes thicker than normal but may initially retain its general shape.

It can affect one nail or several nails and may occur in the fingernails or toenails, although the toenails are more commonly troublesome because of pressure from footwear.

A nail affected by onychauxis may become:

Thick and difficult to cut.
Hard or brittle.
Yellow, white or brown.
Ridged or uneven.
Uncomfortable when pressure is applied.
Partially separated from the nail bed.
Surrounded by hard skin or debris.

Onychauxis can develop because of repeated trauma, psoriasis or a fungal nail infection.

What Is Onychogryphosis?

Onychogryphosis is a more advanced nail deformity in which the nail becomes very thick, hard, elongated and increasingly curved.

It is sometimes referred to as a ram’s horn nail because the nail may curve sideways or upwards in a horn-like shape.

Onychogryphosis most commonly affects the great toenail, although other toenails may also be involved. The nail is often yellow-brown, opaque and difficult to cut using ordinary nail clippers.

As the nail continues to grow, it may press against:

The inside or top of the shoe.
The neighbouring toes.
The skin surrounding the nail.
The end of the toe.

This can lead to discomfort, inflammation, pressure damage and difficulty wearing normal footwear.

What Is the Difference Between Onychauxis and Onychogryphosis?

Onychauxis mainly refers to thickening of the nail plate.

Onychogryphosis refers to a nail that has become thickened, elongated and significantly curved or distorted.

Onychauxis may remain as simple nail thickening, whereas onychogryphosis usually represents a more severe nail deformity.

What Happens if Thickened Nails are Left Untreated?

Some thickened nails cause no symptoms. However, as the nail becomes thicker or more distorted, it may cause:

Pain or pressure inside footwear.
Difficulty walking comfortably.
Difficulty cutting the nail.
Damage to neighbouring toes.
Hard skin beneath or around the nail.
Nail splitting or crumbling.
The nail lifting away from the nail bed.
Inflammation around the nail.
Increased risk of an ingrown toenail.
Skin damage beneath the nail.

A thickened nail that becomes too long may be uncomfortable and can catch on socks or footwear.

Can Thickened Toenails Be Cured?

The outcome depends on the cause.

If thickening is caused by a treatable fungal infection, the appearance of the nail may improve as a healthy nail gradually grows through.

If the nail-growing tissue has been permanently damaged by trauma, pressure or longstanding deformity, the nail may always grow thickened. In these cases, regular podiatry treatment can keep the nail short, reduce pressure and help prevent complications.

Toenails grow slowly, and a damaged great toenail may take up to approximately 18 months to grow through fully.

What Causes Thickened Nails?

There are several possible causes of thickened or deformed toenails.

Repeated Nail Trauma

A common cause is repeated trauma to the nail and nail-growing tissue. This may occur because of:

Tight or poorly fitting shoes.
Football boots, safety footwear or walking boots.
Repeated pressure during running or sport.
Toes repeatedly striking the front of the shoe.
Dropping an object onto the toe.
Previous nail surgery or significant nail injury.

Both a single injury and repeated low-level pressure can permanently alter how the nail grows. Injury and unsuitable footwear are recognised causes of thickened and deformed toenails.

Age-Related Changes

Toenails may naturally become thicker, harder and more brittle with age. Nail growth also tends to become slower, allowing layers of nail to accumulate.

Fungal Nail Infection

A fungal nail infection can cause the nail to become thickened, crumbly, discoloured and partially separated from the nail bed.

However, not every thick or yellow nail is fungal. Nail trauma and age-related changes can look very similar to fungal infection. Testing may therefore be recommended before starting long-term antifungal treatment.

Psoriasis and Other Skin Conditions

Psoriasis can affect the nail-growing tissue and cause thickening, discolouration, lifting, pitting and debris beneath the nail. Other inflammatory nail conditions may produce similar changes.

Inability to Manage the Nails

Thickened nails may become progressively longer and more curved when a person cannot safely reach or cut them. This may occur because of:

Reduced mobility.
Arthritis.
Poor eyesight.
Reduced hand strength.
Back or hip problems.
Very hard or distorted nails.

Are Thickened Toenails Always Caused by Fungus?

No. Thickening can be caused by trauma, ageing, psoriasis, repetitive footwear pressure or a fungal infection.

A yellow or thick appearance alone is not enough to confirm fungal infection. Where fungus is suspected, a nail sample or rapid fungal test may be recommended before oral antifungal medication is considered.

Can I Cut a Thickened Toenail Myself?

Mildly thickened nails may sometimes be managed with careful cutting and filing.

You should:

Cut the nail straight across.
Take several small cuts rather than one large cut.
File sharp or rough edges.
Avoid cutting deeply into the corners.
Wear correctly fitting footwear.

Do not use excessive force, as thick nails may split unexpectedly and damage the surrounding skin.

Professional treatment is advisable if:

The nail is too hard to cut safely.
You cannot reach your feet.
The nail is painful or pressing into the skin.
The nail is significantly curved.
You have diabetes.
You have poor circulation.
You have reduced sensation in your feet.
You take medication that increases bleeding risk.

People with diabetes, impaired circulation or reduced sensation should seek professional advice before attempting to cut very thick nails.

Footwear Advice

Footwear should provide sufficient depth and width around the toes. Tight or shallow footwear can place repeated pressure on the nail and contribute to further thickening or distortion.

Properly fitted footwear can reduce microtrauma and pressure on the nail bed.

When Should I See a Podiatrist for Thickened Nails?

Arrange a podiatry assessment if:

Your toenails are too thick or hard to cut.
A nail is becoming increasingly curved or distorted.
The nail is painful inside footwear.
The nail is pressing against another toe.
You suspect a fungal nail infection.
The skin around the nail is red, swollen or painful.
The nail has changed colour or shape without an obvious cause.
You have diabetes, poor circulation or reduced sensation.
You are concerned about the appearance of the nail.

The NHS advises seeing a podiatrist when nails are too tough to cut or cannot be safely reached. Unexplained changes in nail shape or colour should also be medically assessed.

How We Treat Thickened Nails

Treatment depends on the cause, severity of the nail changes and whether the nail is painful.

Nail Cutting and Reduction

The podiatrist can safely cut the nail and reduce its thickness using specialist instruments and a podiatry drill.

This is known as nail debridement. It can:

Reduce pressure inside footwear.
Make the nail more manageable.
Remove loose or damaged nail.
Reduce hard debris beneath the nail.
Improve the appearance of the nail.
Make topical treatments easier to apply.

Mechanical reduction and regular debridement are established conservative treatments for severely thickened nails.

Depending on the speed of nail growth, treatment may need to be repeated regularly.

Identifying and Treating Fungal Infection

Where the nail appears fungal, testing may be recommended.

If a fungal infection is confirmed, treatment options may include:

Antifungal nail lacquer.
Oral antifungal medication prescribed by a GP.
Regular nail reduction alongside antifungal treatment.
Advice on treating fungal infection of the surrounding skin and footwear.

Nail Surgery

If the nail remains persistently painful, repeatedly causes skin damage or cannot be managed conservatively, nail surgery may be considered.

This may involve removing:

Part of the nail.
The entire nail.
The nail permanently by treating the nail-growing tissue.

Permanent nail removal may be considered when a severely deformed nail continues to cause discomfort despite regular conservative care.

A full assessment is required before nail surgery is recommended.

Why Choose Podocare for Thickened Nails Treatment?

Expert Podiatrists: Our team has extensive experience in treating thickened nails from acute to chronic cases.
Personalised Treatments: We tailor every treatment to your individual situation and needs.
Comprehensive Aftercare: From the initial assessment to full recovery, we support you every step of the way.
Convenience: We have clinics in Wakefield, Batley and Sheffield, also offering home visits for patients who are unable to attend the clinic.

Book Your Appointment for Thickened Nails Today in Wakefield, Batley or Sheffield

At Podocare Podiatry, we provide professional assessment and treatment for:

Thickened toenails.
Onychauxis.
Onychogryphosis.
Ram’s horn toenails.
Difficult-to-cut toenails.
Painful or distorted nails.
Fungal nail infections.
Nail pressure and footwear-related problems.

Your appointment may include nail cutting, mechanical reduction, removal of hard debris and advice on footwear, fungal testing and longer-term treatment options.

Appointments are available at our podiatry clinics in Wakefield, Batley, Sheffield Handsworth and Sheffield Stocksbridge.

Contact Podocare Podiatry or book a consultation to arrange an assessment if your toenails are thickened, painful or becoming difficult to manage.

Thickened Nails FAQs

Is onychauxis a fungal infection?

Not necessarily. Onychauxis describes nail thickening and may be caused by trauma, psoriasis or fungal infection. An assessment or fungal nail test can help identify the likely cause.

Is onychogryphosis contagious?

Onychogryphosis itself is not contagious. However, a fungal infection may coexist with the nail deformity, and fungal infections can spread between nails or between people.

Why does my big toenail keep getting thicker?

Possible causes include ageing, repeated trauma, tight footwear, sport-related pressure, psoriasis and fungal infection.

Will a thickened toenail grow back normally?

It may grow normally if the underlying cause is successfully treated and the nail matrix has not been permanently damaged. If the nail-growing tissue has been damaged, the nail may continue to grow thickened or distorted.

How often should thickened toenails be treated?

This varies according to the rate of nail growth, the severity of the thickening and the patient’s ability to manage the nails. Many patients benefit from routine podiatry treatment at regular intervals.

Can a podiatrist make a thick toenail thinner?

Yes. A podiatrist can use specialist instruments and a podiatry drill to reduce the thickness, shorten the nail and remove hard material beneath it.

Can a severely curved toenail be removed?

Yes. Nail removal may be considered when the nail remains painful, causes repeated pressure or cannot be adequately managed with routine treatment. A podiatry assessment is required to determine whether temporary or permanent nail removal is appropriate.