With age, many people face the problem of pathological thickening and coarsening of toenails. This can be a consequence of age-related changes, chronic diseases, improper care or mechanical damage. In the early stages, the problem seems insignificant. However, if not taken care of in time, it can lead to serious consequences — deformation of the plate, ingrowth of the nail into the soft tissues or even its complete detachment.
Proper care for such nails is extremely important, but in practice it is quite difficult to fulfill it. Hard, thickened plate is difficult to trim or treat without first softening. In this article we will tell you, in detail, how to soften toenails and what means in such cases work best.
Why do toenails become hard?
Healthy toenails should be firm but flexible. However, in some cases, they become excessively hard and thickened. Such pathology can occur due to:
bruises, injuries or strong pressure on the plate (for example, from tight shoes);
fungal infections, which are additionally accompanied by itching, sweating, inflammation of the skin of the feet and discoloration of the nail;
rough or incorrectly performed nail treatment during pedicure;
wearing tight shoes that squeeze the toes and interfere with circulation;
endocrine disorders (e.g., diabetes mullites);
cardiovascular disease and other chronic conditions that can slow blood flow to the lower extremities;
hypovitaminosis and poor nutrition;
psoriasis, eczema and other chronic skin conditions;
allergic reactions and side effects from medications;
chronic stress, depression and overwork.
In most cases, a change in the structure of the nails is a signal that you should not turn a blind eye to. The earlier the cause is identified, the easier it is to deal with the problem.
Effective ways to soften the toenails
If the nail plate has become dense, thickened and hard, it is very difficult to treat it. How to soften toenails in such situations? There are several ways to do it.
1. Warm baths
This is one of the most affordable and simple ways to soften the toenail. Fill a small basin with warm water (temperature 37–40 °C to be comfortable). You can add 1–2 tablespoons of baking soda to it. Immerse your feet in the bath for 15–20 minutes. Soda helps to soften the keratinized nail plate, making it more pliable. To enhance the effect, you can gently massage your nails with a soft brush. Start doing this a couple of days before your haircut and do it daily for best results.
2. Warm water and towel compresses
Soak a clean cotton towel in warm water (38–40 °C) and wring it out slightly to keep it moist. Gently wrap the towel around your toes, paying special attention to thickened nails. To enhance the effect, you can additionally wrap your feet with food film — this will help to retain heat and create the effect of a steam bath. Leave the compress for 20–30 minutes. Thanks to prolonged heating, the nail plate will become more elastic and pliable for further treatment.
3. Use of special softening agents
There are special remedies in the form of creams, gels, ointments or patches that help to gradually soften the toenail. They are convenient to use and are suitable for regular use at home. However, in case of severe pathology or concomitant diseases, it is better to consult a doctor before using them.
How to soften toenails
Now let's talk about what you can soften toenails. To do this, you can use medical and cosmetic means that effectively affect the keratinized tissues of the nail plate. Let's consider a few of them.
1. Ointments with urea
Ointments with a high urea content (10–30%) effectively soften thickened nails by breaking down the keratin in the keratinized plate. They moisturize the nail, making it more elastic and pliable for cutting. These ointments are applied to the clean, dry surface of the nail, sometimes under a bandage, for 1–2 hours or overnight. Suitable for regular care for age-related changes or onychomycosis. It may additionally contain antibacterial components for the prevention of inflammation.
2. Creams with salicylic acid
Salicylic acid creams (5–10%) have a keratolytic action, softening keratinized nail tissue. They help to exfoliate thickened areas and facilitate clipping. Before use, it is recommended to steam the feet in warm water (for example, with baking soda), then apply the cream in a thick layer and apply a breathable bandage for 1–1.5 hours. The remnants of the remedy are removed with a cotton disk. Such creams are suitable for the treatment of fungal lesions and ingrown nails.
3. Gels with allantoin
Gels containing allantoin (a natural component extracted from marine mollusks) moisturize and soften the nail plate, contributing to its regeneration. They are quickly absorbed without leaving a greasy film and are suitable for daily care. It is better to apply the gel after a bath, while massaging the toes for 2–3 minutes.
4. Sprays with softening ingredients
Such sprays contain a combination of active ingredients that quickly soften thickened nails. They are very convenient to use. It is enough to spray the spray on the plate, wait 3–5 minutes and start cutting.
How to soften an ingrown toenail on the foot
An ingrown thickened toenail is not only painful, but also a potentially dangerous condition. It can cause inflammation, suppuration and make it difficult to walk. In such cases, it is important to treat the nail plate as soon as possible and carefully remove the area that puts pressure on the soft tissues. However, it is not easy to do this — a dense, rigid structure makes any manipulation difficult. How to soften toenails in such situations? For this purpose, you can perform the following procedures:
Place your feet in a warm bath for 15–20 minutes. To enhance the effect, you can add a little salt, baking soda or chamomile decoction to the water. This will additionally reduce inflammation.
After the bath, apply a warm compress to the ingrown area. This increases blood flow, speeds up healing and helps the nail to become more flexible. However, it is important not to use too hot water or apply the compress to an open wound.
If the previous methods did not bring the proper result, you can use remedies that help to soften the dense nail. However, before using them, it is better to consult a doctor, especially if there is pus, redness or severe pain in the area of ingrowth.
Important: In case of severe inflammation, severe pain, pus production or recurrent ingrowth, it is necessary to consult a podiatrist as soon as possible. Self-intervention in such situations can lead to aggravation of the condition.
How to soften toenails at home
How to soften toenails to trim them at home? To do this, you can follow these steps:
Assess the condition of the nail plate. Under a good light, examine the toenails. Make sure there are no signs of inflammation (redness, swelling, pus), discoloration (yellow, green) or peeling. Check for cracks in the skin around the nail.
Steam the nail plate. Fill a basin with warm water (36–39 °C) and immerse your feet in it for 10–12 minutes. Afterward, gently blot the feet with a towel.
Apply a keratolytic gel. Apply a gel with urea (15–25%) or allantoin to the thickened nails, using a cotton swab to dot the product. Try to keep it away from the skin. Then leave the keratolytic for the time indicated in the instructions.
Cover the nail with a film to enhance the effect. Wrap the treated nails with small pieces of cling film to create an occlusive effect. Make sure that the foil does not squeeze your fingers.
Clean the gel from the nail. Remove the film and remove gel residue with a cotton disk moistened with warm water.
Treat the nail plate. Use sterile nail clippers to trim the nail, leaving 1–2 mm of free edge. Do not round its corners. Then gently file the plate with a soft file, moving in one direction (from the edge to the center).
Apply oil. Apply a cosmetic oil with vitamins A or D (e.g. argan or avocado based) to the skin of your feet. Rub it in gently for 1–2 minutes. Wear clean cotton socks for 15–20 minutes to allow the oil to be absorbed.
If after all of the above procedures, the nails remain hard and unyielding, it is worth contacting a podologist. The specialist will not only treat them, but also assess the condition of the nail plate, identify possible causes of thickening and choose an individual treatment or professional care.