What causes the toenails to become deformed, thickened, and raised?

Deformed, thickened, and raised toenails may be caused by aging, ill-fitting shoes, frequent manicures, onychomycosis, or nail psoriasis, and can be managed according to the specific situation. If physical discomfort occurs, it is recommended to visit a hospital promptly and follow medical advice for appropriate treatment.

1. Aging: As one ages, the body's metabolism slows down, nail growth rate decreases, and keratin accumulates, leading to deformed, thickened, and raised toenails. It is advisable to supplement with protein, vitamins, and other nutrients and consume more eggs and fruits. Regular nail trimming and maintaining nail hygiene are recommended to prevent worsening of the deformity due to excessively long nails.

2. Ill-fitting shoes: Prolonged use of tight or narrow shoes can compress the toes, impairing blood circulation in the nail bed and affecting nail growth, which may result in deformed, thickened, and raised nails. It is recommended to choose shoes that are appropriately sized, spacious, and breathable to allow sufficient space for the toes. Soaking feet in warm water each night before bedtime is also advised to promote blood circulation in the feet, relieve toe pressure, and improve the nail growth environment.

3. Frequent manicures: The process of manicuring, including filing the nails and using chemical agents, can damage the nail structure, making the nails thinner and more fragile, and subsequently more prone to deformation, thickening, and lifting. Reduce the frequency of manicures to allow nails time to recover naturally. Applying nail care oils in daily life can help replenish nutrients and enhance nail resilience.

4. Onychomycosis: This condition is usually caused by fungal infections such as dermatophytes. The fungi can damage the nail plate and nail bed, possibly causing changes in nail color, brittleness, and deformed, thickened, raised nails. It is contagious. Patients may use medications such as itraconazole capsules, terbinafine hydrochloride tablets, and amorolfine topical solutions under medical guidance to alleviate symptoms.

5. Nail psoriasis: When psoriasis affects the nails, nail lesions may occur, potentially leading to deformed, thickened, and raised nails with pitted surfaces. Skin may also exhibit symptoms such as red patches and scaling. It is recommended to use medications such as methotrexate tablets, acitretin capsules, and calcipotriol topical solutions as directed by a physician to alleviate symptoms.

In daily life, it is advisable to regularly check foot health, maintain clean and dry feet, and avoid prolonged standing or wearing non-breathable shoes.

References:

[1] Han Honggui. Efficacy observation of intermittent oral fluconazole in the treatment of onychomycosis [C]// Chinese Leprosy Association. Proceedings of the 2019 National Academic Conference on Leprosy and Skin Diseases. Pizhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention; 2019: 492-498.

[2] Zhang Hao, Yang Chuan, Mou Yunzhu, et al. Dermatoscopic features of onychomycosis and nail psoriasis [J]. Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2021, 50(06): 342-344.