Thick toenails can be caused by several factors, including:

• Fungal infections (onychomycosis): This is a common cause where fungi infect the toenail, leading to thickening, discoloration, and sometimes pain or discomfort. Fungal infections thrive in warm, moist environments and can be difficult to cure, often requiring prolonged treatment

• Aging: Toenails naturally thicken as people age because the growth rate of the nail plate slows down, and blood circulation to the extremities decreases. This reduced circulation causes nail cells to build up, resulting in thicker nails

• Trauma: Injury to the nail or repeated trauma (such as stubbing the toe, dropping a heavy object on it, or wearing tight shoes) can damage the nail matrix, causing the nail to thicken over time

• Skin conditions: Diseases like psoriasis can cause thickened toenails due to inflammation and abnormal skin cell production affecting the nail bed

• Other medical conditions: Chronic illnesses such as diabetes, peripheral heart disease, arthritis, and poor circulation can contribute to thick toenails

• Chronic inflammation: Conditions like chronic paronychia (long-term inflammation of the skin around the nail) can also lead to thickening

In summary, thick toenails result mainly from fungal infections, aging, trauma, and certain medical or skin conditions. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may involve antifungal medications, proper nail care, or in severe cases, nail surgery or mechanical thinning by a podiatrist