Thick vs. Brittle Toenails: What Your Feet Are Trying to Tell You
It’s normal to disregard the strength of your toenails. But for our experts at New Jersey Podiatric Physicians & Surgeons Group, those little keratin plates actually reveal a lot about your health. When your nails start to change texture, becoming either rock-hard and thick or paper-thin and brittle, it’s rarely just a coincidence. Here is the breakdown of what these toenail changes might mean for you.
When Your Nails Get Thick and Hard
If you find that your standard nail clippers are struggling to get through your toenails, you’re dealing with thickening toenails. This is one of the most common issues podiatrists see, and it usually stems from one of three things:
- Fungal Infections: fungi love the warm environment of your shoes. They get under the nail bed and begin to feast on the keratin, which causes the nail to grow in layers that are thick, yellow, and sometimes crumbly.
- Repetitive Trauma: Do you run long distances or wear shoes that are just a little too tight? If your toes are constantly hammering against the front of your shoes, the nail bed protects itself by building up thicker layers of nail. It’s essentially a callus for your toe.
- Poor Circulation: As you get older, or if you have a condition like diabetes, the blood flow to your toes can decrease. When the nail doesn’t get enough oxygen and nutrients, it grows abnormally.
When Your Toenails Become Brittle and Weak
On the flip side, you might notice your nails becoming eggshell thin, peeling in layers, or snapping off at the slightest bump. Brittle nails often point toward internal shortages in your system, such as:
- Nutritional Deficiencies: Your nails need biotin, iron, and protein to stay strong. If you are low on these, your nails are often the first place your body cuts the budget.
- Thyroid Issues: An underactive thyroid can slow down your body’s metabolism. And when this happens, your nails grow more slowly and lose moisture, which makes your nails snap easily.
- Environmental Stress: If you are constantly getting your feet wet and then drying them, the expansion and contraction of the nail cells can make them brittle over time.
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Thick or Brittle Toenails
Whether your toenails are thick or brittle, a change in their texture is a sign that your toenails are under stress.
Keep in mind, thick nails can eventually lead to painful pressure and secondary infections, while brittle nails can leave your delicate toe tips vulnerable to injury.
Be sure to pay attention to any changes in your toenails, and don’t hesitate to visit us if you’re concerned.
If you’re worried about your foot pain, come see the expert team at New Jersey Podiatric Physicians & Surgeons Group. With more than 30 locations, from Newark, NJ, to Cape May, NJ, we value convenience and excellent service for our patients. To schedule an appointment, first find a podiatrist in your area.
