Onychauxis (thickened nails)
Onychauxis
Onychauxis, or thickening of the nails, is a condition in which there is overgrowth of the nail. It is quite common and is thought to be caused by repetitive trauma to the nail, for example, wearing tight fitting shoes causing pressure to the nail, or trauma to the toe, damaging the nail bed. It most commonly occurs on the hallux (big toe) and fifth toe, although other toe nails can be affected. This condition can cause changes in the colour and texture of the nail.
Other causes can be fungal infection or an underlying condition such as psoriasis , eczema or diabetes. Poor circulation can affect the health of the nails. Nails can also naturally thicken as we age.
Nail cutting can be difficult and there may be pain from pressure on the shoes.
Management of Onychauxis
As the damage to the nail is irreversible, the nail plate needs to be reduced with with nail cutters and a nail drill/burr to smooth the nail down. Footwear needs to be checked and any underlying skin condition addressed. While Onychauxis is not a concern on its own - the feet and nails need to be assessed to identify other potential underlying issues.
A Foot Health Practitioner can use instruments to cut through thick nails and thin them down to improve comfort and appearance. Thinning the nail will also enable fungal nail treatment to reach the nail bed if fungus is identified.