If you have thick, discolored nails that don’t trim easily and rub against shoes, you might have onychauxis. Thankfully, this condition is not contagious.
A podiatrist can help you with onychauxis by treating the underlying cause, such as a fungal infection or age. They also offer ways to beautify the nails and prevent the condition from worsening.
Causes
If your nails have thickened and lost their translucency, and you see a chalky substance under the nail plate (subungual hyperkeratosis), then you might have onychauxis. It can also cause pain and discomfort.
A podiatrist can diagnose this condition by examining your nails. He or she will look for additional characteristics such as color and shape of the nails, and the skin surrounding them. Your doctor might scrape a little bit of the nail to determine whether there is a fungus present.
Interestingly, although onychauxis can look like a fungal nail infection, it isn’t caused by a fungus. It’s more likely to be hereditary or caused by certain types of injuries. Trauma to the nails can lead to thickening as a way of protecting the skin underneath them, such as when you stubbed your toe. Pressure damage to the nails can also cause them to thicken, such as when you wear shoes that don’t fit well.
Other factors that might cause onychauxis include psoriasis, which is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that causes thick patches of scaly skin. It’s estimated that half of people with psoriasis experience toenail psoriasis, in which the nails become thick and brittle. Also, some medications can cause onychauxis, such as steroid creams and some antibiotics. In some cases, it might be the result of a thyroid disorder.
Symptoms
Symptoms of onychauxis include thickened nails, often with a chalky substance that builds up underneath them. Nails can also become discolored, turning white, yellow, or red. These colors may be a result of dry blood beneath the nail. A black spot on a nail should be checked immediately as it could indicate the presence of something much more serious like melanoma. Nails can also begin to curl and can be difficult to trim and maintain.
A podiatrist can help with onychauxis in a couple of ways, depending on the cause of the condition. They can help treat the underlying issue that’s causing the abnormal nail growth, such as a fungal infection or certain medical conditions such as diabetes or psoriasis. They can also beautify the nails to reduce their thickness and improve their appearance.
The best way to prevent onychauxis is to wear proper shoes that fit well and don’t rub against the nails, causing them to become thick and discolored. Regularly trimming the toenails and soaking them in water with cider vinegar can help keep them healthy, as can eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables. Moving around more to boost circulation can also decrease your chances of developing this nail disorder, as it will ensure that the toenails receive enough nutrients and oxygen to grow normally.
Treatment
As annoying as it may seem, onychauxis is usually not dangerous and will often clear up on its own. But it’s not something you want to let go untreated, because the condition can cause complications such as curled and thickened nails that rub against shoes and make them painful to wear.
If you suspect you have this problem, see a podiatrist for debridement and nail removal. This may require more invasive electric drills than you’re used to, but it can help trim the nails back to normal and relieve pain caused by the nails rubbing against the shoes.
Some medical conditions can also lead to onychauxis, including diabetes, psoriasis, poor circulation, and a variety of infections. The condition can occur when trauma or pressure damage to the nail causes it to thicken as a protective measure, similar to a skin callus. This can be a result of stubbed toes, poor fitting shoes, and other factors.
A podiatrist can also give you tips on how to prevent onychauxis, including wearing comfortable shoes and getting more exercise to boost circulation. This can also help reduce the occurrence of the itchy and dry, yellow-looking patches of skin called psoriasis, which sometimes affects the toenails. In some cases, psoriasis can lead to the toenails thickening and discoloring, which can also look like onychauxis.
Prevention
There are a few ways to prevent onychauxis: Proper nail trimming (using nail nippers rather than scissors) and wearing properly fitted shoes with wide toe boxes. Keeping the feet clean and soaking them in warm water 3 times a week can soften the nails and make it easier to trim them. Also, a black spot on the nail should not be ignored as it may indicate a serious medical issue such as melanoma.
Hereditary issues and certain medical conditions such as diabetes, psoriasis, and poor circulation can cause onychauxis. If left untreated onychauxis can worsen and the affected nails will curl and turn a dramatic color such as red or black.
Regular visits to a podiatrist can help with this condition. The doctor can diagnose the problem and determine if it is caused by a disease or if it is simply due to age or an injury to the toenail. Moving more, to boost circulation can also help with this problem by delivering more blood and oxygen to the lower extremities, which in turn helps reduce onychauxis symptoms.