What is the reason for the thickening of the big toe nail

In daily life, many people's big toe nails will become thicker. First, it may be a mild paronychia, and then it may develop into onychomycosis. Therefore, people must pay full attention to this situation of their toe nails and seek medical treatment in time.

1. Fingernail fungal infection

1. Subungual onychomycosis

It often starts from the sides or ends of the nail plate, and usually starts with mild paronychia, which then gradually becomes chronic or subsides. Paronychia can cause pits or grooves on the nail surface, which may persist or gradually involve the nail root. Once the nail plate becomes infected, it may develop cracks, become brittle, or thicken and appear brown or black. This is a more common type.

2. Fungal white nails (superficial white onychomycosis)

There are one or more small cloudy areas on the surface of the nail plate, or small white spots on the surface of the nail with irregular shapes, which can gradually spread to the entire nail plate, causing the nail surface to soften and sink. There are no symptoms, no paronychia, and desquamation is often seen in the skin of the nail bed folds.

3. Onychomycosis caused by Candida albicans

It is more common in housewives, cooks and people who often come into contact with water. It is often accompanied by paronychia, which starts from the nail folds on both sides and may cause skin redness, swelling, pus accumulation and tenderness. The nearby nail becomes dark, rises, and separates from the nail bed underneath, and then the entire nail plate is affected.

Simply put, the symptoms of onychomycosis are generally thickening of the nails, color changes, whitening or yellowing or dirtiness, and scaling. For treatment, you need to go to the dermatology department of the hospital to check for fungi first. If it is confirmed that onychomycosis is caused by fungal infection.

2. Improvement methods:

1. You need to trim your nails regularly to avoid dirt hidden in the nails, which will cause bacteria to invade the nails.

2. You can also apply iodine 3 to 5 times a day. If it is confirmed to be onychomycosis, it is best to clean the nails with 30% salicylic acid and then apply an antifungal water-based ointment. Note that it is best to choose water-based medications, as oily ointments or sprays are not easily absorbed.

3. Your daily diet must be reasonable, eat less spicy and irritating food, strengthen personal hygiene, and try to keep the affected area clean, dry and ventilated. Be sure to avoid adverse stimulation and appropriately supplement nutrients such as vitamin C.

4. Don’t apply nail polish casually. Many women get infected and develop paronychia and then develop onychomycosis due to applying nail polish casually.

In addition, oral antifungal drugs or injectable drugs are not recommended as these drugs have too great side effects on the liver and kidneys.