Thickened & Misshapen Nail Treatment
Thickened or misshapen toenails are common and can make nails difficult to cut, uncomfortable in footwear and more susceptible to pressure and trauma. There are many possible causes, and not all thickened nails are caused by a fungal infection.
What are thickened or misshapen nails?
A nail may become thicker, harder, distorted or curved as a result of changes to the nail or the nail bed. The nail may also become difficult to trim and may press against the surrounding skin or footwear.
What causes them?
Common causes include previous injury or trauma to the nail, repeated pressure from footwear, changes associated with ageing, underlying skin conditions such as psoriasis, and changes to the way the nail grows. Fungal infection can also cause thickening, so it is important to establish the likely cause.
How can you identify them?
You may notice a nail becoming thicker, harder, wider, curved or irregular in shape. It may also become difficult to cut or cause pressure and discomfort when wearing shoes.
How can we help?
We can assess the nail and surrounding tissues and safely reduce excessive nail thickness and length. This can make the nail more comfortable and easier to manage.
We can also help identify factors that may be contributing to the nail changes and advise when further investigation or treatment may be appropriate.
If a nail has suddenly changed appearance, is painful, repeatedly catches on socks or footwear, or is becoming increasingly difficult to manage, a podiatry assessment can help.