How to Treat Thick, Discolored Toenails

By eHow Fashion, Style & Personal Care Editor

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Toenails that are thick and yellowed can be caused by inadequate nutrition, poor health, fungal infections, or genetics. If home remedies don't work, seek the services of a podiatrist. In the meantime, here are a few steps to help you treat your nails.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Step1
Wash your instruments in soap and water, and rinse them with alcohol or antiseptic.
Step2
Mix 2 tbsp. mild household detergent, or betadine solution, into 1/2 gallon of warm water. Dip your foot in the water and soak for 10 minutes.
Step3
Cut the affected nail straight across with a nail clipper.
Step4
With a clean nail file and a wisp of cotton, clean out the debris under and around the sides of the nail.
Step5
Cut a piece of 40 percent salicylic acid plaster to the size and shape of the affected nail. Apply it with the plaster side against the nail, and cover with an adhesive bandage.
Step6
Keep the toe dry for two days.
Step7
Take a nail brush or old toothbrush and brush off as much flaky nail debris as possible when you remove the plaster.
Step8
Thoroughly clean the area with warm, soapy water, and apply an antiseptic solution.
Step9
Repeat the salicylic acid treatment three to four times.
Step10
Ask your podiatrist if the cause of your discolored nails is an underlying fungal infection. If so, begin oral or topical antifungal treatments.

Tips & Warnings

  • The salicylic acid treatment may cause mild discomfort.
  • Avoid stuffing cotton under the nail edge.
  • If you have certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or circulatory problems, consult a physician before self-treating foot problems.
  • If severe swelling, redness, heat and pain persist for two days, or if you see a break in the skin and feel feverish, call the doctor.
  • This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

Comments

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Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 4/13/2007 I had a fungal toenail for years and nothing got rid of it. I started taking prescribed medication, which after a year finally started to leave. It has come back and I have been told that garlic tablets twice daily will rid the fungal infection. So far it has kept it at bay.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 8/8/2006 My toenails, primarily the large toe and the second toe, had become so thick they were not only ugly, but difficult to cut. I began taking omega 3 fatty acids for general health and mood having no idea that my toenails would be affected. After being on them for a good while I noticed a dramatic change in the thickness of my nails. They are now normal and healthy looking. I think the reason for the thickness was both age and genetics, as I remember my Father having extremely thick toenails. The difference has truly been dramatic.

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Anonymous said

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on 8/8/2006 I've had the fungus on 9 toes for two years. Moderate success with Thymol in chloroform (which my source ran out of), and moderate success with vinegar. I tried tea tree oil for a month, and what a waste, set me back quite a bit. So now its back to vinegar, although I'm thinking of trying Vick's.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 2/6/2006 Appearex is a supplement (vitamin) for helping grow healthy nails. It is advertised for fingernails but works for toenails, too! Toenails take a long time to grow out (six months), so you need to keep taking it. Look in the nail care aisles of your drug store. I tried it and it worked!

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 I am a podiatric medical student and part of my education is traveling around to see different podiatrists' methods of treating podiatric issues. One of the more troublesome issues is fungal nails. A treatment (other than oral and/or topical anti fungals) that I have seen work is the combination of Listerine and white vinegar. Mix equal parts (1:1) of Listerine and white vinegar into a container. At this point you can mix enough of it to soak just the affected toenails in or apply it to the toenails using a q-tip. If soaking, soak the affected nails for 10-15 minutes, preferably twice a day. If applying using a cotton swab, apply twice a day. The best thing to do with any topical treatment would be to file the top of the nail and then apply the mixture or topical anti fungal.

Be patient, a toenail only grows about 1mm per month, so gradually you will start to see new clear nail grow. Within a year if the treatment is working for you then you'll have a normal looking toenail.
As an aside, I have also heard of using Vick's VapoRub, however I have not seen firsthand whether this treatment works or not! And of course, if all else fails, go to your local podiatrist as he/she should have many tricks up his/her sleeves to knockout fungal nails!

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eHow Article: How to Treat Thick, Discolored Toenails

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