I've got a big problem- thick toenails!

[ellenrr]

I'm 67, and while researching this, I've discovered that thickened toenails can happen with age.
Great. Another happy thing about aging.

In recent years I started having trouble with how thick they are. Plus I have a torn meniscus in knee, so for a while I couldn't actually reach them.
so I went to a podiatrist who cut them.
He cut them so close, that they hurt me for 2 weeks.

I want to avoid a podiatrist if I can.
I am now able to reach my toes.
So I tried this morning after soaking in hot water for 20 minutes
(I added peanut oil)
And got nowhere.

One thing I realize is that nail scissors are useless.

So I'm going to cut some nail clippers-
they cut straight across.

and I read there is something called 'toe softening cream', if I can find that I'll try it.

Would like to know if anyone knows any "home remedies" for softening?

Anything that anyone has found - in terms of techniques, or in terms of clippers that help with this?

thanks.

(x-posted to Seniors)

[dwilso40641]

1. I used a Dremal tool until I had them removed.

Best thing I ever did.

[ellenrr]

2. Wow, that's a serious tool.

http://www.dremel.com/en-us/Tools/Pages/default.aspx

may I ask, why did you have them removed?
was it bec. you didn't want to clip them?

[silverweb]

5. I also know someone who uses a Dremel.

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]She had the pet nail grooming tool for her dog and tried it on herself, and said it worked wonderfully.

It's small, cordless, and easily used for precision placement. You should be able to grind down the thick areas with no problem.

[font face="Arial"]http://www.dremel.com/en-us/Tools/Pages/ToolDetail.aspx?pid=7300-PT#.VKVeUslGQ58[font face="Verdana"]

[ellenrr]

9. thanks, the the picture you sent

looks better than the images I came up with when I searched dremel!

Sure would be easier to do someone else's nails than my own.

Ya think I should advertise?

I can imagine the freaks.

[dwilso40641]

23. I had them removed

as they were constantly ingrown. I asked My Dr. what was the downside of having them removed and he said there was none. So they're gone. (only three)

[riversedge]

3. did your podiatrit use a laser?

[ellenrr]

7. no, he cut them with a clipper, it was so close

that I fully expected there was going to be blood.

they did heal after a couple of weeks, but I was very worried I was gonna have a problem.
and he was an arrogant SOB when I told him what he had done.

[riversedge]

10. Find a podiatrist who uses a laser tool..

They are used more and more so should not be difficult. The tool aligns with the toe so no chance of cuts or cutting too deep. My mom goes to one--started a few years ago when she had thick nails. besides she is 90 and has had a lumbar fusion so difficult for her to bend down. Also used in nursing homes (medicare pays). I know this first hand. Nurses not even allow to use scissors for fear of cuts with slow healing and infections.

[ellenrr]

12. thanks, nt

[dwilso40641]

24. No

he cut them off and put some kind of acid on the pad. I walked out of his office and didn't miss any work It was relatively painless.

[Little Star]

4. I had that problem &....

Here's what I did...

I got Fungi-Nail Anti-Fungal Pen



Before I applied it the first time, I lightly ruffed up my nail with a emery board. It didn't take more than a week of use before I could see it working. It took a long while for the fungus to be totally gone because the thick part of the nail had to grow out & be clipped away.

edit: I applied as many times as directed, can't remember how often right now.

[clydefrand]

6. Maybe you should try

hand strengthening exercises.

I'm 80 and have thick toe nails. I use a regular toe nail clipper (not the little finger nail clippers).
A couple nails are trying to 'in grow', and I use nail scissors for those. Not easy, but better than going to a dr. to have them done.

[ellenrr]

8. haha,

[alfie]

11. Try anything with tea tree oil in it

I use a dremel to buff off as much as I dare, then rub tea tree oil in. It takes the new part 3 months to grow in and I lose interest and the fungus takes back over...my bad! But, it will work.

[ellenrr]

14. I don't have a fungus. nt

[newfie11]

13. Are u sure u don't have toenail fungus?

It causes extremely thick nails.

[ellenrr]

15. oh. no, I don't think so. I have no symptoms of a fungus,

I just have old age. lol

but I'll research that. thanks.

[newfie11]

16. The reason I ask

Is my mom had it but in those days she attributed to being stepped on to many times by horses. she used wire cutters to trim her toenails.
Then my husbands comes back from Vietnam and his nails resemble my moms.
I know this man was not around a horse in Vietnam.
Finally after several years he saw a doctor about it and it was fungus. Nothing to treat it then but 10 years later there was a pill for it.
He now has normal nails.
This fungus doesn't change the way your
nail looks except it becomes very thick.

[alfie]

18. The only symptoms are thick, white/cream colored nails.

It doesn't itch or anything else.

[newfie11]

21. That is the only symptom

Next time you see a doctor show him.

[Little Star]

22. Thickened nails are a symptom of fungus....

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nail-fungus/basics/symptoms/con-20019319

[RandiFan1290]

17. My sister had this problem

She also had a fungus problem.

I had her soak her feet in vinegar for about 15-20 minutes a day. Long enough to soften the nails and let the vinegar work it's way in. Then wash feet and completely dry. After a few days she noticed the fungus was almost gone and her nails and feet were so much softer. The new nail growing in was also thinner and softer.

No need to use a bunch of vinegar if you try this. Just enough in a container to tip forward and soak your nails.

Hope this helps. Good luck

[elleng]

25. Thanks; may try this.

Have one toenail with a fungus (maybe.) Very thick.

[4139]

28. Baking soda! It cheaper and doesn't smell... It is about the pH...

It so alkaline that it kills the fungus

[elleng]

29. Thanks

[mopinko]

19. treat yourself to a mani-pedi regularly?

agree w the others about fungus. you might think the podiatrist would catch that, but sounds like he was a shady character, anyway, soo....

[VanillaRhapsody]

30. if you have toenail fungus a manicurist is NOT

Supposed to work on your feet but indtead reccomend a podiatrist..

[Runningdawg]

20. That is a problem most of us will experience as we age.

I am a retired OR nurse AND Cosmetologist. I have the same problem. The dremel tool is your answer. Not only will it remove the thickness of your toenails, making them much easier to cut, it can be used to remove corns and callouses as well.
When considering a dremel tool, look for one that is lightweight, cordless and MOST importantly has varying speeds. I have been using this method for 20+ years. Never once have I harmed myself with the tool.

[Warpy]

26. Oh, yes, the wonderful benefits of having a lot of birthdays

The clippers will be much easier to handle, I've used them all my life. Podiatrists always clip too closely because they know most people can't afford frequent visits and monthly is about it. Diabetics, especially, need to go to them for overall foot care since any dings and dents they might not even have noticed can lead to amputation if not treated promptly.

My only softening idea is a slow drain in the shower. By the time I'm finished, I'm standing in hot, soapy water that covers my feet and that seems to soften the nails nicely.

For big toes, I clip each side then go straight across the middle, ending up with one straight slice of nail. For the rest, I just clip straight across as needed.

ETA: Thickened but clear nails are normal. Thickened, opaque nails are not.

[ellenrr]

31. thanks, I was worried about big toe. OH the joys of aging--

something that I never thot about, has become a huge problem for me....
that could practically describe old age, for me....

Shit, what a boring ridiculous thing to be consumed by!

but it helps to know I'm not the only one with the issue.

ETA: I have another thot, which is I have a torn meniscus in knee, and actually I am able to reach my toes. But I could make a case to an MD, that I can't, and thus get a prescription for Medicare to pay a podiatrist I believe.

[4139]

27. I use a very small pair is wire cutter... Probably similAr to

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0009FUXWG/ref=redir_mdp_mobile/178-1709898-3831048

[ellenrr]

32. vinegar soak -- good

I feel like I should apologize for extending this thread, but I guess whoever is reading and posting, has an interest.

Just want to say that the vinegar really helped!

I had previously - a couple of days ago - soaked in hot water with peanut oil.
didn't do much.

but soaking in the vinegar made a difference.

I couldn't get the hang of the clippers, but used the scissors.
I will get some better scissors, I saw a pair with long handles, and will try that.


thanks!