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Symptoms
Along with
thickening, the nail may appear
ridged, brittle, or yellowish. The
nail may also
feel painful when pressure is put on it.
Evaluation
Since thickening may be a
symptom of an underlying medical condition, it's important
for your
podiatrist to look at your medical history
for possible related
problems. To check for a
fungal infection, a culture may be done.
The thickness and color of the nail are also examined carefully to
determine possible
infections or other conditions.
Treatment
If the nail isn't infected, your podiatrist may
be able to thin
it by filling or grinding. If a
fungal infection is present, oral or
topical
antifungal medications may be needed.
This can help
prevent ulcerations under the
nail while keeping the fungus from
spreading to other nails. If pain is extreme, the nail can be surgically
removed.
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