Thick, discoloured toenails
What are Thick, Discoloured Toenails?
Thick, Discoloured Toenails are often a sign that you may have a toenail fungus. This happens when the fungus that is normally in your toenails, overgrows. Conditions such as psoriasis and diabetes may also cause thick nails to develop. They may also be thickened due to damage to the nail bed (nail matrix).
Why have I developed Thick, Discoloured Toenails?
A type of fungal infection called onychomycosis is one of the most common causes of thick nails. Fungal infections thrive in warm and moist environments and often grow in toenails for this reason and can spread to the nail bed causing discolouration.
Thick toenails may go unnoticed initially but as they develop you may notice that they:
- become brittle and break or crack easily
- give off an odour from the nail
- come away from the nail-bed
- become painful
- begin to look yellow, green or brown.
How can you treat Thick and Discoloured Toenails?
Our team of podiatrists will fully assess your foot and recommend a clear treatment plan to have you walking pain free and with confidence. We can even provide nail reconstruction where necessary too.
Frequently Asked Questions: Thick & Discoloured Toenails
What causes toenails to become thick and discoloured?
The most common cause is a fungal infection (onychomycosis), but trauma to the nail bed, psoriasis, or underlying medical conditions like diabetes can also cause thickened, discoloured nails.
What does a fungal toenail look like?
Infected nails may appear yellow, brown, or green, become brittle, emit a mild odour, and separate from the nail bed over time. The surface may become ridged or crumbly.
Are thick toenails always caused by fungus?
No – while fungal infections are common, thick nails can also result from trauma, long-term pressure, poor circulation, or skin conditions like psoriasis. A proper diagnosis is key to effective treatment.
Can I treat it at home?
Some mild fungal infections may respond to topical treatments, but thicker nails or longstanding issues usually require professional care. Home clipping can be difficult and risky if the nail is very thick or painful.
What treatments do you offer?
We offer diagnosis, trimming with clinical tools, antifungal treatment options, and in some cases, nail reconstruction or surgical nail removal if needed.
Will my toenails look normal again?
Depending on the severity and cause, your nails can often be significantly improved with treatment. We also offer nail reconstruction to restore the appearance of damaged nails.
Treatment Options for Thick & Discoloured Toenails
| Treatment | When It’s Used | Offered by TFH? |
|---|---|---|
| Antifungal Creams & Lacquers | Mild to moderate fungal infections | ✔ |
| Professional Nail Trimming | When nails are too thick or brittle for safe home care | ✔ |
| Nail Bed Treatment | To treat infection at the source | ✔ |
| Nail Reconstruction | For damaged or cosmetically affected nails | ✔ |
| Full Nail Removal | Severe, recurring, or painful nail conditions | ✔ |
| At-Home Clippers | For mild thickening (with caution) | ✔ (if advised) |