Causes of thick toenails are eczema, psoriasis, fungus and toe injury. You can treat thick toenails with simple home remedies. Not only you save your money but can also avoid the side effects that can result from prescribed medications. I will list a few home remedies, you can choose according to your convenience.
Vapour rub can be used to treat thick toenails. With a help of toenail clipper cut your nails short. Cut them as short and close to the skin as possible. Then file your nails with an emery board or nail file to improve the nail appearance.
If your nails are thick because of fungus, filing them will help the treatment reach the fungus. After you are done with trimming and filing apply vapour rub to toenails twice a day. This will help in treating the nails and make them smooth.
You can also use Epsom salt for treating thick nails. Cut and file your toenails as short as possible. Then soak your feet in Epsom salt also known as magnesium sulphate dissolved in warm water for about two to three times a day for half an hour time.
White vinegar is a good remedy for thick toenails. Applying white vinegar directly to your toenail or soaking your feet in one part vinegar to two parts of warm water three times a day will help in reducing the growth of bacteria which causes thickness in the toenails.
You can also use tea tree oil for thick toenails. Tea tree oil has natural anti fugal properties. After cutting and filing your toenails short. Apply tea tree oil on your toe nail, the skin around it and under the tip of the nail twice a day.
To avoid thick toenails keep your toenails short and clean. Try only one home remedy at a time and observe the results and reactions. And choose the home remedy accordingly. It is important to be consistent in your treatment habits for effective and immediate results.
Change your shoes and socks on regular basis and avoid wearing restrictive shoes or socks. If you have an athlete’s foot, treat it immediately or else it may spread to the nails. Go barefoot or wear sandals often as fungus don’t like light. Minimize the usage of nail polish, as nail polish encourages the growth of toenail fungus.
Never go barefoot in public areas, wear shoes or sandal to protect your feet. Keep your feet, toe and toenails dry after getting wet as fungus grow well in moisture. Always wash your hands after touching infected toenails to avoid spreading to other nails. If the pain in the thick toenails turns severe consult a physician right away.