Preventing Thick Toenails Its Possible
Here are some tips to help you prevent toenail problems:
- Always watch for changes in the skin and nails. Such changes may indicate an underlying problem that should be checked by your podiatrist.
- Trim your nails straight across, and not too short.
- File your nails regularly in order to prevent sharp edges.
- Wear properly-fitting shoes and socks with adequate space for toes and nails.
- Keep your shoelaces tied tightly to prevent the foot from sliding in the shoe.
- Avoid shoes with small toe boxes or high heels.
- If youre having difficulty , seek help from a professional.
Drink Plenty Of Water
Being hydrated has a direct effect on the health of a persons nails.
When a person is not getting enough fluid, their nails can become brittle. When a persons nails are fragile, they break or peel more easily.
The state that most people can get enough fluids to remain hydrated by drinking water when thirsty and when eating a meal. However, if a person feels they are not getting enough fluid, they can increase their daily intake by:
- carrying a reusable water bottle
- choosing water over sugary drinks
- drinking water at meals instead of other beverages
Constantly using gels or acrylic nail polish can damage a persons nails, causing them to peel.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation , the UV light that people use to dry the polish also carries a potential risk. This is because UV light has links to both skin cancer and premature aging. The Foundation recommend applying sunscreen to the hands 20 minutes before a nail salon appointment as a preventive measure.
To help keep the nails strong and healthy, a person should take a break from gels and acrylic polishes or avoid using them altogether.
Hydration Will Strengthen Your Nails
Now that the gel-dip-acrylic is off, the key is to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. “Prolonged use of gel manis and acrylics dehydrates your nails, making them dry, brittle, and fragile,” says manicurist Jin Soon Choi, founder of JINSoon nail polish and salons.
A cuticle oil is your BFF for imparting deep hydration. Focus on slathering it not only on the nail itself, but also massaging it well into the cuticle the cuticle is where new, healthy nail growth will start so it’s important to nourish and hydrate this area, says Choi.
One best-seller to try: CND Solar Oil Nail and Cuticle Conditioner. Holford also likes using straight up jojoba oil, which can strengthen nail beds and boost healthy nail growth. She recommends applying it three times per day for five days for the best results.
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What Happens If You Leave Toenail Fungus Untreated
All fungal infections are contagious and can spread quickly. Nail fungus can not only be contracted from an existing fungal infection from another part of your body, but nail fungus can also spread and create a fungal infection to another part of your body.
Thats to say, not only could Athletes foot cause a toenail infection, your toenail infection can cause athletes foot which could then be potentially spread to jock itch while putting on underwear that brushed up against your fungaly toes and carried the highly contagious infection to your crotch via the underwear express.
It works both ways.
Not only is it important to treat nail fungus so it doesnt spread elsewhere, its important to treat any other fungal infections you may have to avoid the risk of infecting your nails or re-infecting your nails, after treating your nail fungus.
How To Prevent Thick Toenails
You can prevent thick toenails by the following measures,
Keep your feet and hands clean by following good hygiene practices. Dry them immediately after a wash
- Walking barefoot at home to let your feet breathe
- Avoid walking barefoot in public places
- Disinfect your nail trimming tool kit regularly
- Avoid constant exposure to wet areas
- Wear flip-flops in locker or sauna rooms
- Use a foot powder to keep them dry and clean
- Moisture your feet regularly using a thick moisturizer to soften your nails
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Don’t Overdo Hand Washing And Limit Contact With Cleaning Chemicals
As healthy as it can be to wash your hands frequently, overdo it and you’ll wreak havoc with your nails, says Stern. If you are in a profession where frequent hand washing is mandatory, she advises to use moisturizer as often as possible and rub a little extra around the cuticles several times a day.
When doing housework or laundry, Jamal says, minimize contact with harsh chemicals, including dishwashing liquid, by wearing rubber gloves whenever possible.
Take A Collagen Or Biotin Supplement
“Pay attention to your diet,” explains Amy Lin, the founder of sundaysa nail care brand focused on wellness. “Your nails are made of proteins and naturally need a lot of vitamins.” Specifically, your nails consist of keratin, so it’s important to make sure you’re getting your fill of keratin-building amino acids. Two of the most popular are biotin and collagen, as they tend to be the most effective in supporting nail health.*
First up: Biotin has been shown to support thickness and firmness of nails in several human studies.* One study, in particular, found that those who took biotin supplements had 25% thicker nailbeds than the placebo group.* In terms of collagen, another study showed that when patients took collagen daily for 24 weeks, their nail health was better maintained, including faster growth rates, reduced breakage, and improved appearance.*
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Best Nail Strengtheners To Treat Brittle Nails
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Having your nails look and feel good isn’t just important for aesthetic reasons. Their condition could also be tell-tale signs that something is amiss with your overall health. If youre suffering from thin, breaking or brittle nails, there are simple steps you can take to understand and gain control over them.
To find out why your nails weaken and how to strengthen them, Shop TODAY called in Dr. Angela Lamb, a certified dermatologist and associate professor and director of Westside Mount Sinai Dermatology, to explain more.
Home Remedy Nr 1 Coconut Oil & Honey
Warm three teaspoons of coconut oil andone teaspoon of honey in the microwave for about 20 seconds. Soak your nails inthe mixture for about 10 minutes. Do this every day for about a month to seethe full result. You can also wear cotton gloves and let the mixture soakovernight and have natural overnight nails treatment.
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Invest In A ‘soft’ Nail File
You might have heard that glass nail files are better for filing with, but while they’re pretty, longer-wearing and easy to clean, it pays to invest in a ‘soft’ file, according to Session Manicurist, Ami Streets.
‘To get the best finish from your filing, always opt for a soft file to prevent tearing or splitting your nails,’ she says. Her top picks? ‘Orly’s nail file is probably one of best I’ve used because of the durability and the way it gives the smoothest finish really fast.’
‘Pro products are always best and usually more hard wearing. I really like the Natural Nail Company because you can choose a file depending on whether your nails are soft or hard, and there are even options for acrylics.’
What’s more, you really need to nail your filing technique. Back and forth see-saw motions will only cause the nail to splinter, so always file in one direction, using long, swift but gentle strokes.
Pro Tip: ‘Start from the outside edge and move into the centre,’ advises Streets. ‘This technique will give you a smooth finish and more control over the shape you’re trying to achieve.’
Benefits Of Nail Strengthener
There are so many ways that nails can become damaged. Kalnina says, “the list is endless.” Correa points out that silk wraps, acrylics, and gel nail polish may look fabulous, but end up wreaking havoc on your nails. “Also if you work with your hands a lot like washing dishes or heavy lifting,” you’re more prone to nail damage. She adds that you can damage toenails from physical trauma, doing exercises such as running, hockey, and tennis, or wearing shoes that are too tight.
Nail strengtheners can restore nails to optimal health while “replenishing lost nutrients and restoring the keratin needed to keep your nails growing and healthy,” says Correa.
“With a small amount of care, you can keep your nails strong and healthy very easily,” says Kalnina. Results are pretty immediate, too. She says you can start seeing stronger nails “within just two weeks of application, usually much earlier.”
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Questions To Ask Your Doctor
Here are some questions you may wish to ask your doctor about thickened toenails:
- What should I do if preventive measures arent effective and the nails continue to thicken?
- What caused my toenails to thicken?
- Do the activities I participate in affect my toenails?
- Will my toenails return to normal?
- What treatment option is best for me?
- Do my shoes fit properly?
Helpful information from other websites:
Use A Keratin Treatment
Found naturally in nails, it’s responsible for making them flexible but don’t let that word put you off. It doesn’t mean they’ll be thin, fragile or bendy, but fortified and much less likely to chip.
Pro Tip: It might sound obvious, but Quashie’s top piece of advice is actually the easiest way to keep your nails looking as good as possible. ‘Don’t use your nails as tools remember, be gentle!’
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Nourish Your Nail Beds
If a bumpy, ridged nail bed is completely ruining your mani, you might need to increase your vitamin B9 intake.
Otherwise known as folic acid, this vitamin repairs and multiplies the cells that make up nails, which speeds up growth and promotes overall nail health. It has also been shown to boost strength and prevent peeling.
‘Folic acid is responsible for healthy cell growth in skin tissue as well as hair and nails,’ explains Griggs. ‘A true deficiency in folic acid may cause discolouration and contribute to brittle and weak nails.’If you think you’re lacking, foods like beans and whole grains are rich in folic acid but you can buy folic acid supplements over the counter, too.
What Causes Brittle Nails
According to Dr. Lamb, damaged nails can signify different things in different people. “Nails often manifest vitamin deficiencies or can be a normal sign of aging,” said Dr. Lamb. “Eczema or psoriasis can be found in the nails, too. Often when a patient has been diagnosed with psoriasis, the first place I look is their nails.”
However, our nail thickness, hardness and growth is often determined by our genes. Lamb compared this to the way our hair grows since they’re made up of a similar type of protein. “For the same reason some people have curly hair, some people grow long short , it’s all dependent on genes,” said Dr. Lamb. “But there can also be pathology problems with your nails: paronychia, fungus, yeast eczema.”
Be cautious not to misinterpret nail issues with nail diversity. “Sometimes there are just normal changes,” said Dr. Lamb. “For example, I have fast-growing thin nails, some people have thick, durable nails grow slow.” If you’re concerned about the growth or texture of your nails, a dermatologist can help steer you in the right direction.
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When To See Your Physician
You must see physician following reason-
- Fever- You must see physician if you are suffering with fever. Fever suggests possible systemic infection.
- Pus- Bacterial or fungal infection of toenail may cause tissue necrosis and that follows pus formation. You must consult your doctor if you see pus coming from tissue under the toenail.
- No response- If thick toe nail is not responding to home remedy therapy then you must see your physician.
- General symptoms- If you feel generalized body ache and fatigue then you must see you physician for further investigation.
- Side effects- If you are experiencing side effects to substance use for home remedy then you should consult your primary care physician or specialist.
- Deep injury- If you think your nail is partially or completely separated from nail bed then you must see physician.
- Psoriasisâ If you are receiving treatment for psoriasis from dermatologist or your primary care physician then you must consult him for treatment of thick toenail.
References-
How To Strengthen Nails Home Remedies
Having healthy, shining and well-shaped of your nails enhances the beauty of your hands and feet. All most everybody is struggling with different treatments and practices that can make his or her nails strong, long and healthy.There are various potential natural cures that are not only inexpensive but also has the potential of showing positive results. Why should you spend more on products that may came with some side effects when you can achieve your dream of having strong nails by using the following home remedies:
- Mixture of lemon juice and olive oil
Lemon juice and olive oil are widely used as beauty ingredients in treating various skin conditions. This two ingredients also has the ability to strengthen your nails. When applied on the nails, the olive oil penetrates into the cuticle to strengthen the nail.On the other hand, lemon repairs the peeling nails as well as removing the yellow and other stains that are caused by infections or nail polish. To use this remedy, you simply mix 6 tablespoon of olive oil and 2 table of lemon juice to make enough solution for both finger nails and toenails.Using a microwave, heat the mixture to become slightly warm. Soak your nails in the mixture for at least 20 minutes daily. Leave it on the nails for an overnight before rinsing or washing it away in the morning.
- Coconut oil
- Apple cider vinegar
- Tea tree oil
- Sea salt
- Egg yolk and milk
- Vitamin E oil
- Green tea
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Use Listerine Mouth Wash:
You can also use Listerine mouth wash as a home remedy to get rid of thick toenails. This works best because it contains alcohol and several other compounds that work as a strong antiseptic so as to keep away bacteria and fungi. Put equal portions of the mouth wash with vinegar in a tub or bucket of water and then soak your feet for about 30 minutes. After this, scrub the affected toenails gently and then rinse and dry properly. You can repeat this at least twice in a day until the infection clears away.
How Do You Get Rid Of Buildup Under Your Toenails
That thick white stuff under your toenails is a buildup of keratin caused by a fungal infection. In order to remedy the problem, you have to treat the cause, not the symptom.
Whereas the other types of fungal infections are relatively easy to treat with a topical antifungal, toenail fungus is much more difficult.
What makes nail fungus harder to treat is that its extremely difficult to get any type of topical medication to penetrate the nail. That, and the nail plate is very slow-growing, so treatment takes a lot longer.
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Use A Nail Strengthener
While these tips zero in on how to strengthen your nails naturally, sometimes you need a little extra help. Understandable! A nail strengthener on hand can work wondersjust make sure you’re choosing one that doesn’t have formaldehyde . Good news is, there are plenty of natural-leaning options on the market that include plant-based ingredients like vitamin E, olive oil, garlic, and tea tree.
Home Remedy Nr 8 Diet For Nail Growth
A lack of nutrients is the most common reason for slow nail growth. Vitamin deficiencies make nails dull and brittle. A diet rich in vitamins, iron, zinc, calcium, and protein is highly beneficial for healthy nails. Therefore, having a balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, and nuts, but also protein-rich foods like eggs, almonds, yogurt, cheese, and buttermilk would be beneficial for making your nails stronger. Having jellies or other foods containing gelatin is also considered as a good natural cure for growing your nails faster.
You can always support your body with an extra portion of vitamins and minerals, as for example with our Zinc Capsules or our ZMA Capsules.
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Why You Would Want To Thicken Your Polish For Stamping
Nail Polishes that are thicker tend to work best for nail stamping. This is because they are much easier to work with and produce more accurate designs and imprints.
And because of this, I would advocate using stamping polishes, which tend to be naturally thicker and more pigmented making them great for nail stamping.
You can .
Push Your Cuticles Back
As mentioned, cuticle care is crucial. But beyond oil, Lim mentions regularly pushing your cuticles back can keep them from overgrowing. “When becomes thick and overgrows onto the nail, it’s tough to push back. You don’t want to ever get to that point,” she says. “When that happens, your cuticles are prone to cracking and infection.” Ouch.
You don’t have to get too meticulous about it a great tip is to gently push them back every couple of days after stepping out of the shower, as the nails will be softened from the spray. Not to mention, pushing your cuticles back helps your polish last longerjust in case you’ve decided to go for an at-home mani.
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