The aging process naturally affects the structure and appearance of the toenails, making them more susceptible to common foot problems. Understanding these changes is the first step in maintaining comfort and preventing complications that can impact mobility. This article provides practical advice for routine care and management strategies to keep aging toenails healthy and strong.
How Toenails Change With Age
The most noticeable change in aging toenails is thickening, resulting from a slowdown in the nail matrix’s growth rate. Toenail growth can decrease significantly with age, allowing keratin cells to accumulate. This leads to onychauxis, a condition where the nail plate becomes dense and harder to trim.
Along with thickening, the nail plate often loses moisture, contributing to brittleness, longitudinal ridging, and a dull, yellowish or grayish discoloration. Decreased peripheral circulation, common with age, further compromises the health of the nail bed by reducing the supply of nutrients. These structural changes make the nails more prone to splitting and create easier entry points for fungal pathogens.
Essential Daily and Weekly Maintenance
Maintaining aging toenails requires a consistent routine focused on proper trimming, hygiene, and protection from trauma. Cut the nail straight across, avoiding the temptation to round the corners or cut the nail too short. Cutting straight prevents the nail from growing into the surrounding skin, which is the primary cause of painful ingrown toenails.
After trimming, use an emery board or file to gently smooth any sharp edges left on the nail plate. For nails that have become very hard or thick, soaking the feet in warm water for five to ten minutes beforehand can soften the keratin, making the trimming process safer and easier. For routine care, trimming when nails are dry can help prevent tearing or splintering.
Daily foot hygiene is a fundamental defense against common ailments, especially fungal infections. Wash the feet with soap and water daily, ensuring thorough cleansing between the toes and around the nail edges. It is equally important to dry the feet completely, as trapped moisture creates an ideal environment for fungus to flourish.
Applying a moisturizing cream or oil to the surrounding skin and cuticles helps maintain flexibility and combat brittleness in the nail plate. While moisturizing the skin is beneficial, avoid applying excessive lotion directly onto the nail bed, which should be kept dry. Choose well-fitting footwear that provides ample space in the toe box to prevent repetitive micro-trauma from pressure against the nail.
Managing Common Age-Related Conditions
Certain conditions are more prevalent in aging toenails and often require professional care. Onychomycosis, a fungal infection, causes the nail to become thick, crumbly, and discolored, affecting a significant number of older adults. Prevention involves maintaining dry feet, changing socks daily, and disinfecting tools, but established infections often require more than over-the-counter topical treatments.
For deeply embedded fungal infections, an oral antifungal medication like Terbinafine is often the most effective treatment. This is sometimes combined with professional debridement to remove diseased nail tissue. Patients with underlying conditions like diabetes or poor peripheral circulation must seek medical attention immediately for any suspected infection due to the heightened risk of serious complications.
Excessive thickening, known as onychogryphosis or “ram’s horn nail,” can become too difficult and unsafe to manage at home. This condition is often exacerbated by trauma or poor circulation and can cause pain when wearing shoes. A podiatrist can safely reduce the bulk of the nail using specialized tools, preventing discomfort and the possibility of the nail gouging an adjacent toe.
Ingrown toenails that are painful, showing signs of infection, or occurring in individuals with compromised circulation always necessitate professional care. Attempting to “dig out” an ingrown nail at home risks introducing infection and causing further damage. A foot care specialist can safely treat the ingrown nail, reducing the risk of complications.