Does a thick toenail mean I have fungus?

 

A: As I tell my patients in my Houston podiatry practice: Every fungal toenail is thickened, but not every thickened toenail is fungus.

Nails are a specialized form of skin and react like skin does in many ways. Just as skin will thicken when there is pressure on it, forming a corn or callus, so will toenails. Our feet live in shoes and our toenails will hit the top and end of our shoes, causing pressure on them and small amounts of trauma. This pressure will cause the toenails to thicken. For this same reason, many athletes, such as runners, soccer players, and tennis players, see their toenails thickening.




Tanglewood Foot Specialists

1011 Augusta Dr. Suite 202

Houston, TX 77057

713-785-7881

Houston foot & ankle specialist Dr. Andrew Schneider offers sports podiatry, diabetic foot care, and treatment and surgery of all foot and ankle problems to residents of Houston Texas and surrounding areas.  Contact us today for an immediate appointment.



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