How to treat thickened toenails
Disease description:
My toenails have recently been getting thicker, turning slightly yellowish, and feeling brittle in texture. I occasionally feel some discomfort while walking now. Is there any effective treatment for this condition?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Chen Jian
Thickening of the toenails is commonly seen in onychomycosis, chronic trauma, or certain systemic diseases. The following are some common treatment methods:
1. Fungal infection: For conditions like onychomycosis, antifungal medications should be used, such as topical applications of terbinafine or ketoconazole. In severe cases, oral administration of itraconazole or fluconazole may be necessary. When taking oral medications, regular monitoring of liver and kidney function is required. Additionally, traditional Chinese herbal baths can also be an effective treatment method, for example, using herbs such as Smilax glabra (Tu Fuling), Sophora flavescens (Ku Shen), and Cortex Dictamni (Bai Xian Pi).
2. Surgical treatment: Severely infected toenails can be removed under local anesthesia. However, this method involves a large wound surface and is prone to bleeding and infection. Patients with underlying conditions such as heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes should not undergo this type of surgical treatment.
3. Trimming and filing: When trimming toenails, avoid cutting them too short to prevent injury to the surrounding soft tissues.
4. Trauma-related: Avoid re-injury, keep the feet clean and dry, and trim excessively thick nails when necessary.
5. Systemic diseases: For conditions such as thyroid dysfunction and psoriasis, treatment should target the underlying disease.
6. Lifestyle adjustments: Avoid wearing tight-fitting shoes for prolonged periods to reduce chronic injury.
