Why has my toenail gone thick and yellow?

Thick yellow toenails are usually caused by a fungal infection called onychomycosis
onychomycosis
Onychomycosis, also known as tinea unguium, is a fungal infection of the nail. Symptoms may include white or yellow nail discoloration, thickening of the nail, and separation of the nail from the nail bed. Toenails or fingernails may be affected, but it is more common for toenails.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Onychomycosis
. This can be irritating or painful. It's less common, but the infection can affect your fingernails as well. Thick yellow toenails can be prevented by taking certain precautions.
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How do you get rid of thick yellow toenails naturally?

Treatment
  1. mixing tea tree oil with a carrier oil and applying it to the affected nail.
  2. soaking the affected nail in hot water mixed with baking soda.
  3. applying vinegar to the affected nail.
  4. including a sufficient amount of vitamin E in the diet.
  5. soaking the affected nail in a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and hot water.
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How do you treat thickened toenails?

How are thick toenails treated?
  1. Clean the affected area with soap and water daily.
  2. Groom your nails regularly. ...
  3. Apply an over-the-counter fungal treatment after you gently file your nails.
  4. Apply Vicks VapoRub on your toenail each day. ...
  5. Apply tea tree oil twice a day every day.
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What causes toenail thickening?

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.
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Will thick toenails go away?

If you have had an injury to your toe and your nail is temporarily thick, it may get better over time. As a new, healthy nail grows out, you can see if it gets better. However, due to the slow growth of toenails, this can take many months.
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What Causes Toenails to Turn Yellow?



How do you get rid of thick yellow toenails?

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.
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Should I cut off my fungus toenail?

Nail removal: If you have a severe infection or other treatments just don't work, your dermatologist may recommend removing the nail(s) to get rid of the infection.
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What happens if you leave toenail fungus untreated?

A severe case of nail fungus can be painful and may cause permanent damage to your nails. And it may lead to other serious infections that spread beyond your feet if you have a suppressed immune system due to medication, diabetes or other conditions.
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What kills toenail fungus fast?

Medications
  • Oral antifungal drugs. These drugs are often the first choice because they clear the infection more quickly than do topical drugs. ...
  • Medicated nail polish. Your doctor may prescribe an antifungal nail polish called ciclopirox (Penlac). ...
  • Medicated nail cream.
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What are the stages of toenail fungus?

Top 5 signs your toenail fungus has gone nuclear
  • Nail color changes. If your nail turns white and chalky or yellow, it's not a good sign. ...
  • Nail position changes. If your nail starts to curl downward or upward, it's time to be concerned. ...
  • Nail texture changes. ...
  • Nail smell changes. ...
  • Nail sensation changes.
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How do you cut thick toenails with fungus?

How to cut toenails with fungus
  1. medical-grade toenail clippers, as standard clippers may not be able to cut all the way through and can slip off the nail and cut your skin.
  2. longer foot soak (20 or 30 minutes in warm water)
  3. clipper disinfection using alcohol or diluted bleach.
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Is yellow toenail fungus?

#2: Toenail Fungus

Toenail fungus is the most common cause of yellowing toenails. Here's where it comes from: A break in the skin close to/under the toenail from ill-fitting shoes; Walking barefoot in warm, damp areas (locker rooms, pool decks, public showers, etc.);
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What is the fastest home remedy for toenail fungus?

Tea tree oil is a popular home remedy for many skin infections, including fungal infections. Dab a few drops of the oil onto your toenails twice a day, or mix a few drops of oil with some water and soak your entire foot. You can buy over-the-counter urea paste to dissolve the infected portion of the toenail.
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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.
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What is the number one cure for toenail fungus?

The best pill for toenail fungus is terbinafine. Evidence suggests it works better than the alternatives with the fewest side effects. Terbinafine results in resolution of toenail fungus 76% of the time. Common side effects may include headaches, skin rash, and vomiting.
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Can toenail fungus go away by itself?

But nail fungus doesn't go away by itself. And if you don't treat it, there's a chance it could get worse. It could spread to other nails or through your body. It could cause pain when you walk.
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Can you ignore toenail fungus?

Why You Should Never Ignore Toenail Fungus. If you have a case of toenail fungus, please do not ignore this problem. Serious complications can arise if you do not have the fungus treated, including foot pain, widespread infection, the loss of your nail and more.
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How serious is toenail fungus?

If you have toenail fungus and it goes untreated, you may experience: Pain in your feet and toes due to thickened, distorted toenails. Spread of the fungus to your skin, causing athlete's foot. Infection of the surrounding areas, causing cracked skin, and increasing bacterial spread.
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Do toenails grow back after fungus?

Sometimes it grows back in as a healthy nail, and sometimes it grows back with the fungus.
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How do I get my toenails white again?

Simply fill a small bowl with one part water and one part hydrogen peroxide. Place fingers or toes in the bowl so that nails are completely covered and let soak for 15 minutes. Rinse well. Repeat daily until nails are whiter and stains have disappeared.
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How do you get rid of toenail fungus in 10 minutes?

You can directly wipe hydrogen peroxide on your infected toes or toenails with a clean cloth or cotton swab. Hydrogen peroxide can also be used in a foot soak. Mix 1/8 cup of hydrogen peroxide (or several capfuls) to four cups of cool water and soak feet for 10 to 20 minutes.
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What kills foot fungus instantly?

Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide can effectively kill the fungus on the surface level of the foot, as well as any surface bacteria that could cause an infection. Pour hydrogen peroxide directly onto the affected area. Note that it may sting, and it should bubble, especially if you have open wounds.
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Will yellow toenails grow out?

Trauma and bruising can also cause yellow toenails. “In most cases, this will grow out gradually with the nail and fade over time. In more severe cases of trauma or injury, the nail can be permanently damaged and discolored,” says Dr.
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Are all thick toenails fungus?

Are thick toenails always fungus? No, thick toenails are usually not fungus. The toenail root responds to pressure by growing a nail plate that is thicker and sometimes detached from the nail bed — a place where the fungus can hide and grow.
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Should I file down my nail fungus?

With that in mind, I generally encourage healthy adult patients with mild toenail fungus to not treat it or to treat it just using topical measures. For example, you can buff the nail down with a file to keep it thin, so the fungus has less of a home to live in. You should also keep the nail trimmed.
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