How do toenails change as you age?

Growth: on average, toenails grow at about 1 mm per month, but as a person ages, that growth rate can slow down up to . 5% per year! Thickness: nails may become thicker – or thinner. Texture: nails can lose their smoothness, becoming more apt to split, crumble, or form ridges with age.

What happens to toenails when you get older?

As we age, our toenails - and fingernails - slow their growth rate, and the nails thicken because the nail cells, called onychocytes, sort of pile up. Fingernails appear to thicken less, probably because we tend to them more often with filing and buffing, which thins them.

What causes your toenails to change shape?

Permanent changes in nail shape or color can occur as a result of a crushing injury. Poisons. Colloidal silver, touted by some as cures for everything from HIV/AIDS to eye infections, is actually a poison that can turn skin and nails blue. Arsenic poisoning colors nails white and makes them appear pitted.

What do aging nails look like?

Over time, nails may become discolored, turning slightly yellowed, gray, generally pale, or opaque. Fungal infections can also cause discoloration. One type of color change involves dark stripes or ridges along the length of the nail. The medical term for this is longitudinal melanonychia.

Why do older people's toenails get thick?

The growth rate of nails decreases when people get older. This results in thickening because nail cells pile up. The process of nail cells piling up is referred to as onychocytes. Another reason why fingernails don't thicken as much is their growth rate is smaller than the growth rate of toenails.

Tell-nail Signs of Your Health

Can thickened toenails be reversed?

Thick toenails can be reversed if the underlying cause is addressed or proper preventative measures are taken. Polishing rough surfaces to make them smoother is a great way to treat thick toenails. Avoid pedicures because they may cause fungal infection to flare up when cuticles are removed.

What is the white hard stuff under my toenails?

In medical terms this is called onychomycosis or tinea unguium,” says Batra. The fungal infection breaks down the keratin in the nail to form a white or yellow chalky substance under the nail plate. "As keratin debris spreads under the nail, the nail plate typically becomes lifted up off of the nail bed.

Why are old people's toenails yellow?

When toenails turn yellow, a fungus is usually to blame. This type of fungal infection is so common that you might not even need to see a doctor for treatment. Try an over-the-counter antifungal cream. If your nail is yellow and thick, gently file down the surface so that the drug can reach deeper layers.

Why do toenails darken with age?

Blood vessels beneath the nail bed burst open, leaving small pools of blood trapped there that appear black, or maybe purple or dark red. Even if you haven't injured your toe, you can expect subtle changes to your toenails simply as product of aging.

What helps thick toenails in elderly?

Applying a small amount of melted coconut oil can help heal thick yellow toenails. You can purchase over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal nail creams and ointments. Be sure to clip and clean your nails before use to make sure the creams reach deeper layers. Laser therapy can be used to treat a fungal toenail infection.

How do I stop my toenails from curving?

The most important thing you can do is trim your toenails using a strong, sharp nail clipper. Cut each toenail to the point where it begins to curve upward. Cut the nail straight across without cutting the edges inward. It's also important to leave the nail a little long to prevent it from growing inward.

Can you fix misshapen toenails?

They can become so thick that they are difficult or impossible to trim yourself. A deformed toenail is often caused by injury to the nail, shoe pressure or pressure against an adjacent toe that has bent, contracted or rotated. A thick, deformed toenail often needs to be permanently removed.

Why do my toenails have ridges?

Ridges in nails usually come from aging but can also indicate improper nail care, nail trauma, vitamin deficiency, or even a more pressing medical condition, according to 2022 research.

What does Vicks VapoRub do for toenails?

Vicks VapoRub

Although designed for cough suppression, its active ingredients (camphor and eucalyptus oil) may help treat toenail fungus. A 2011 study found that Vicks VapoRub had a “positive clinical effect” in the treatment of toenail fungus.

Do toenails discolor with age?

As you age, your toenails, as well as your fingernails, may begin to turn a light shade of yellow. Nail discoloration is a normal part of the aging process.

What do darkened toenails mean?

A black toenail may be caused by: An underlying medical condition: This may include anemia, diabetes, heart disease, or kidney disease. Fungal infections: While these often look white or yellow, fungal infections can sometimes cause black toenails from debris buildup.

Do toenails get thicker as you age?

With age, there is a rapid decrease in the growth rate for both toenails and fingernails, said Dr. Richard K. Scher, head of the nail section at Weill Cornell Medical College. As a result, both kinds of nail thicken, because of the piling up of nail cells, called onychocytes.

How do you treat an aging toenail?

How do you get rid of yellow toenails fast?

What does your toenails say about your health?

Yellow Toenails

Your toenails tell a lot about your overall health. A fungal infection often causes thickened yellow toenails. Thick, yellow nails also can be a sign of an underlying disease, including lymphedema (swelling related to the lymphatic system), lung problems, psoriasis, or rheumatoid arthritis.

Are thick toenails always fungus?

It is natural for toenails to get thicker with age, but thick toenails may be caused by other factors, including fungal infections, autoimmune conditions, or mechanical stresses, such as from poorly fitting shoes.

Can you scrape out toenail fungus?

Prescription Medicines

If your fungus doesn't clear up at home, you should check in with a dermatologist (a skin, hair, and nail specialist) or podiatrist (a foot doctor.) They may gently scrape under your nail to get rid of some of the fungus or send it to the lab for diagnosis.

How long does it take for Vicks to work on nail fungus?

A small study of 20 patients reported 83% improvement after six months of applying Vicks daily (Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, January-February 2016). They concluded: “Vicks VapoRub was shown to be an effective and safe treatment of onychomycosis (nail fungus) …” Q.

How does a podiatrist treat thick toenails?

What causes toenails to thicken and curl?

Toenails can thicken as a result of sudden or repeated trauma or injury. Mostly, this happens to people involved in sport or exercise, such as soccer players, runners, and dancers. It can also affect people who wear ill-fitting shoes. Often, thick nails due to injury are mistaken for fungal infections.