# Thick, chunky toenails **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 9, 2003, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thick-chunky-toenails/160027 "2003-03-09T03:36:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thick-chunky-toenails/160027/1 "2003-03-09T03:36:30Z")
What causes their development, and why don’t you see it as often, if at all, on fingernails? ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thick-chunky-toenails/160027/2 "2003-03-09T03:45:22Z")
I’ve got one on my left big toe and it’s from a surgery gone awry. The doctor was obviously an idiot and didn’t know what he was doing (it took him six shots to even _partially_ numb my toe… I still felt everything.) and ripped it off. It grew back really thick and ugly. My right toe was operated on by a different doctor and it looks almost normal. My mom’s got thick fingernails _and_ toenails. Hers is caused by some sort of fungal infection. ---
**Author:** ![AntaresJB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c2a13f/32.png) [@AntaresJB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AntaresJB)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thick-chunky-toenails/160027/3 "2003-03-09T03:56:45Z")
I’ve got one on my big toe from when I was a kid and dropped a drawer on it and it fell off and grew back like that. My WAG is that it’s mostly caused by some sort of trauma to the nail bed. But I’m really just pulling that out of my ass. ---
**Author:** ![Donovan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ea666f/32.png) [@Donovan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donovan)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thick-chunky-toenails/160027/4 "2003-03-09T04:07:28Z")
WAG- Along with other people above, I got a messed up toenail that was from an original toe ‘injury’ - started with an ingrown toenail that eventually led to surgery (yeah, it got pretty bad before I did anything about it). As far as injury caused funky fingernails, I’m guessing one is more likely to drop a cinderblock or whatever on a toe than a hand, and one is more likely to seek medical attention that may ameliorate future ‘issues’ on a hand than a toe (I know for sure I would have been to the doctor sooner if my hand was as bad as my toe was). However, I’ve heard a fungus can cause it as well. I’m sure fungus could also grow in fingernails, but it doesn’t happen as often as your hands are an environment less conducive to fungus (we don’t tend to keep them wrapped up in warm moist socks most of the time). And going along with my specualtion above, I’d guess that if one did happen to get fungus in their fingernails, they’d be a hell of a lot more likely to go have something done about it, cause your hands are always ‘out there’, where most people don’t really see your toenails and won’t recoil over that nasty looking toenail. This is just a big WAG, though. ---
**Author:** ![kniz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thick-chunky-toenails/160027/5 "2003-03-09T07:11:50Z")
One difference is that you do not wear shoes on your hands and neither do you walk on your hands. I was told to use olive oil (virgin) on my toe nails to soften them up, but just haven’t gotten around to it yet. ---
**Author:** ![3trew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/13edae/32.png) [@3trew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3trew)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thick-chunky-toenails/160027/6 "2003-03-09T07:16:23Z")
There’s a fungal disease that causes some pretty bizarre toenail development. If you can afford to spend the money, there are drugs which will take care of it nicely. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thick-chunky-toenails/160027/7 "2003-03-09T16:50:12Z")
Most toenails which fit the OP’s description are [onychomycosis](http://www.emedicine.com/derm/topic300.htm), or a fungal infection. It will persist even if the toenail is removed. Topical medications are largely ineffective. There are antifungal treatments in pill form, which take from 3 months to a year to be effective. Somewhere around 25-75% of the cases may be eliminated. Liver enzymes have to be monitored while on the medication, which can cause hepatic injury. Which is why I tell most of my patients to live with it. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thick-chunky-toenails/160027/8 "2003-03-09T16:54:45Z")
Are there any OTC topical preparations which _might_ work? I’d like to give it a try, if there are. ---
**Author:** ![Joe\_Mahma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@Joe\_Mahma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joe_Mahma)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thick-chunky-toenails/160027/9 "2003-03-09T18:25:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Q.E.D. \* > \*\*Are there any OTC topical preparations which _might_ work? I’d like to give it a try, if there are. \*\* Qadgop is right - topical remedies are notoriously useless for this sort of thing, because they don’t penetrate into the cells that form the nails. ---
**Author:** ![lauramarlane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a5b964/32.png) [@lauramarlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lauramarlane)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thick-chunky-toenails/160027/10 "2003-03-09T18:54:03Z")
I just got a scrip for Penlac–a topical treatment for toenail fungus. I’m really hoping it works (hasn’t come in the mail yet) because I’ve had the fungus on a few toenails for years and it looks awful (I usually keep them polished so it doesn’t show.) I’ve tried the pill Sporanox (sp?) in the past, but it didn’t seem to do anything. I’ve heard good things about Penlac so I’m hoping it works. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2003, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thick-chunky-toenails/160027/11 "2003-03-09T22:32:45Z")
[This reliable source](http://www.rxpalace.com/DrugBriefs/Penlac.htm) has the following to say about Penlac: > [@](#): > > Nail fungus is very difficult to treat even with effective medication probably because the nail is difficult to penetrate and there is very little blood flow to the nails. Treatment with Penlac™ will probably not show much improvement until after 6 months of use. Up to 48 weeks of daily applications and professional removal of the unattached, infected nail, as frequently as monthly, are considered the full treatment needed to achieve a clear or almost clear nail (defined as 10% or less residual nail involvement). Patients are required to be diligent with nail care to obtain optimal results. ---
**Author:** ![hammerbach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/73ab20/32.png) [@hammerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hammerbach)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2003, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thick-chunky-toenails/160027/12 "2003-03-10T05:03:19Z")
TMI warning… My big toenails have been removed several times. Each time they have grown back thicker & tougher. Cauterized with phenol, silver nitrate and even red hot iron. They just won’t die! Someday, decades in the future, someone with see very thick rhinoceros-horn-like nails growing from a cemetery plot. If my toes were amputated, the nails would probably just appear hanging out there in space… From my perspective, it looks like trauma causes it. ---
**Author:** ![Big\_Jeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@Big\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Big_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2003, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thick-chunky-toenails/160027/13 "2003-03-10T07:06:49Z")
I had terribly painful ingrown toenails on each of my great toes. The cause was the fungal infection. My podiatrist removed the entire nail and nail bed. What a relief. It’s been 8 years and neither nail has regrown. ---
**Author:** ![lauramarlane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a5b964/32.png) [@lauramarlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lauramarlane)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2003, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thick-chunky-toenails/160027/14 "2003-03-10T12:37:56Z")
Thanks for the info, **Qadgop the Mercotan**. Damn! I was really hoping this would do the trick ☹ I’m prepared to be dilligent about it, too. I guess if this doesn’t work I’m just going to have to live with the nasty nails. ---
**Author:** ![mmm.forbidden\_doughnut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e68b1a/32.png) [@mmm.forbidden\_doughnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mmm.forbidden_doughnut)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2003, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thick-chunky-toenails/160027/15 "2003-03-10T14:15:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Big Jeff \* > \*\*I had terribly painful ingrown toenails on each of my great toes. The cause was the fungal infection. My podiatrist removed the entire nail and nail bed. What a relief. It’s been 8 years and neither nail has regrown. \*\* So ar eyu saying that you have no nails on your great toes, **Big Jeff**? That must be very painful! ---
**Author:** ![djbdjb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a87d85/32.png) [@djbdjb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/djbdjb)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2003, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thick-chunky-toenails/160027/16 "2003-03-10T19:05:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Q.E.D. \* > \*\*Are there any OTC topical preparations which _might_ work? I’d like to give it a try, if there are. \*\* I am pushing back my fungus with Tineacide, by Blaine labs. I consider it sort of expensive: $13 for a 1.25 oz bottle, but the pills are costly too. I’ve been using it for 2 years. ---
**Author:** ![fatmac98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3ec8ea/32.png) [@fatmac98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fatmac98)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2003, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thick-chunky-toenails/160027/17 "2003-03-10T19:28:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by lauramarlane \* > \*\*I just got a scrip for Penlac–a topical treatment for toenail fungus. I’m really hoping it works (hasn’t come in the mail yet) because I’ve had the fungus on a few toenails for years and it looks awful (I usually keep them polished so it doesn’t show.) I’ve tried the pill Sporanox (sp?) in the past, but it didn’t seem to do anything. I’ve heard good things about Penlac so I’m hoping it works. \*\* I have been using Penlac for close to three months now. I cannot tell if it is working yet. One thing I do know is that you will not be able to keep them polished while using it. The stuff builds up on there and has to be removed weekly with nail polish remover. Even then it kinda builds up in the cracks. Eventually you have to actually peel bits of it off. My doctor initially told me that I would only need to use it for 6-10 weeks, evidently she was wrong. I guess I need to call her for another Rx, since my bottle has almost run dry. I sure hope it ends up working. I do not want to take the pill. You are not supposed to consume any alcohol while taking it. I guess it’s b/c of the liver thing. No beers for 3 months is a punishment worse than death. ---
**Author:** ![arbowmd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bbce88/32.png) [@arbowmd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/arbowmd)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2010, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thick-chunky-toenails/160027/18 "2010-11-08T14:02:58Z")
> [@lauramarlane](#): > > I just got a scrip for Penlac–a topical treatment for toenail fungus. I’m really hoping it works (hasn’t come in the mail yet) because I’ve had the fungus on a few toenails for years and it looks awful (I usually keep them polished so it doesn’t show.) I’ve tried the pill Sporanox (sp?) in the past, but it didn’t seem to do anything. I’ve heard good things about Penlac so I’m hoping it works. I’m agree with you. Penlac is an effective drug to combat mild to moderate nail fungus. It does not cause systemic side effects. Penlac is also safe for liver, unlike some oral medication.However, these drugs are not effective to eradicate severe toenail fungus because these drugs only treat from the outside so it can not penetrate to the deep layers of the nail. Penlac can be more effective when combined with surgical debridement so that the active substance in penlac, Ciclopirox, can kill fungi that exist in the deep layers of the nail. Several studies have proven the effectiveness of [penlac nail lacquer to eradicate nail fungus](http://curestoenailfungus.com/toenail-fungus-treatments/penlac-nail-lacquer-effectiveness-treating-onychomycosis/). ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2010, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thick-chunky-toenails/160027/19 "2010-11-08T14:26:28Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > [This reliable source](http://www.rxpalace.com/DrugBriefs/Penlac.htm) has the following to say about Penlac: This reliable source’s wife got a big thick toenail, likely from a fungal infection. The local pharmacist said that _his_ wife told him to apply Vicks VapoRub daily to the offending nail for a couple of months, and keep it covered. My wife followed this regimen, and the infection cleared up. Happy tonail replaced the thick stuff on her big toe as it grew out over the course of a year. VapoRub might work simply by depriving the fungus of its oxygen supply, but[it contains camphor, eucalyptol, and menthol](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vicks_VapoRub) which also might have something to with its action. Naturally, [the internet backs me up on the efficacy of this treatment](http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&q=toenail+fungus++vaporub&btnG=Search&aq=f&aqi=g1&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=). Still, I have more confidence in the evidence that I watched my wife try it, and it worked for her. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2010, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thick-chunky-toenails/160027/20 "2010-11-08T14:31:33Z")
Mmmmmmmmmmm, zombie fungus. My patients have been less than impressed with VapoRub. Not that they did a scientific survey, but they had a LOT of free time to study their toenails. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thick-chunky-toenails/160027.md?page=2)