Your toenail is getting thicker, harder to trim, and a little discolored. Is it fungus? It could be, but that is not the only possible explanation. Several conditions can change a nail’s thickness or texture, and finding the cause is the first step toward choosing the right treatment.

At Podiatry Center of New Jersey, we help patients throughout New Jersey understand what is behind their toenail changes and find the appropriate care.

What Else Can Cause a Thick Toenail?

Repeated trauma is one common cause. Running, tight shoes, or frequent contact with the front of a shoe can damage the nail’s growth center over time. Even if the injuries seem minor, repeated pressure may cause the nail to grow thicker or unevenly.

Other possible causes include:

  • A previous toe injury
  • Natural changes associated with aging
  • Psoriasis or another skin condition
  • Reduced circulation
  • Pressure from an underlying toe deformity
  • Changes affecting the nail bed or growth center

More than one factor may be involved. For example, an older nail damaged by repeated shoe pressure may also become more vulnerable to infection.

What Does Toenail Fungus Look Like?

A fungal nail infection may cause thickening, yellow or white discoloration, brittleness, crumbling, or debris beneath the nail. The nail may also lift away from the nail bed.

However, those signs can resemble changes caused by trauma or other conditions. Using an over-the-counter antifungal product without confirming the cause may delay treatment that would be more appropriate.

Learn more about the symptoms of foot and toenail fungus and how professional evaluation can distinguish an infection from other nail problems.

Can You Trim a Thick Toenail Yourself?

Do not force standard clippers through a very thick or distorted nail. The clippers can slip, split the nail, or cut the surrounding skin. This is particularly risky for people with diabetes, neuropathy, or poor circulation.

A podiatrist can safely reduce the nail’s thickness and examine its color, texture, and attachment to the nail bed. Testing may be recommended when a fungal infection is suspected.

Seek care if the nail becomes painful, begins lifting, produces drainage, or is surrounded by redness or swelling. You should also have unexplained changes evaluated if they affect only one nail or continue to worsen.

If thick toenails are making shoes uncomfortable or becoming difficult to manage, Podiatry Center of New Jersey can determine what is causing the change. Call (973) 925-4111 or schedule an appointment online.