Have you noticed your toenails change as you've got older?

My toenails (right foot only - left foot nails ok) definitely not pretty! Have had fungal nail infection for 10/15 years. Must admit i’ve given up trying to find a cure via the paint-on liquids as nothing seemed to work and results would have been very slow apparently. A GP once told me I could take some tablets, but they had possible side effects and a blood test would have been needed to check my liver (or was it kidneys?) wasn’t damaged by the tablets. I just keep nails painted in the summer months, don’t bother in the winter as wearing tights to cover up the ugly creatures. Fingers nails have slight vertical ridges on some of them. Oh the joys of getting older - and don’t get me started on facial hair .... (chin)

Well one of my few self care treats is having my nails professionally done. Toe nails only need to be 'done' every 5/6 weeks really with a gel or shellac polish. The beautician will automatically take the layers of thickness away, cut and shape the nail. Then of course you get to choose a beautiful colour. That's the way for me!

I had the same problem with both of my big toe nails. Both of them became thick, and a very pronounced curve, resulting in ingrowing problems, and making it difficult to cut.

I now use an oil treatment made by Gehwol (available on Amazon), which was recommended to me, and it's also suitable for diabetics (who have to be very careful with their feet). They do a range of products including fungal treatment, ingrown nail treatment, toenail fluid, foot cream, etc., and they all care for both skin and nails, and help make the nail more flexible.

I filed the surface of the nail initially, then applied it twice a day. There was a noticeable difference after just a few days, with my nails becoming much softer/flexible, and straightening out again. I've used it for a couple of years now, but if I stop using it (I forget sometimes if I go on holiday!), the nails begin to curve again. It's become part of my daily foot care routine after I take a shower. The products are very good, so I'd recommend giving them a try.

Mine became very thick in my 50s and they do grow in. I go to a podiatrist as I can't manage them. It is expensive.

My feet and nails are the same as they were when I was a teenager, I'm 66 next month. My mum had awful nails and she died at 48 so can't see it's age related.

My right big toe did the same, sides curling in and a raised arch in the middle, making it extremely difficult to cut across and easy to cut too low on sides leading to painful in growing nail. About 10 years ago I dropped something heavy on that toe. I know use a pair of curved nail scissors and am very careful not to cut low on the sides. Best time is after a bath. It has now improved. Otherwise I was going to a podiatrist.

Mine have changed since menopause - they always have been quite hard but since then, my big toe nails are really difficult to cut.
My son bought me one of those battery hand held things that rub off the hard skin on your feet. I have found that it works on my toe nails as well!

No

I was going to post about toenails, mine have started to grow at different speeds, 2 of them seem to be competing for how fast they can grow. I have to cut them at different times and it is quite strange.
Fine otherwise.

Yes - I don’t think mine were ever the most beautiful, but I really don’t like the sight of my big toenails any more - the usual age effects - so if feet are going to be on show, I give myself a pedicure and a polish.

More than once I’ve had very uncomfortable slightly ingrown sides, which I’ve relieved by tucking a tiny piece of cotton wool soaked in baby oil, under the corner for a few days. It works quite well.

Ha ha Urmston.
I was going to say it could be the Spanish sunshine that keeps your li’l piggies healthy - but perhaps it is the ? ?
?

Nope! Mine are the same as always but I do have a monthly pedicure to keep them looking the best they can.

I prefer them in socks though ...

Mine were the toes next to the big toe on each foot. They are a bit crooked and get crushed again the upper part of my shoes I think.

It’s not my big toenails so much as the smaller ones that are so hard and tough.

I noticed 2 toenails had started to thicken and could only cut with clippers. They went opaque too.
That was a year and a half ago. I had a few sessions with a chiropodist who recommended Curanail and said it might take a year but to use it once a week.
After a year I got impatient as not much improvement so bought Thera “Fungal nail destroyer” from Amazon.
Glass file included, and after only a month of filing the top surfaces and putting drops of the oil on the nails - 3 times a day - I have the beginnings of new, healthy, thin nails at last!
It could have been a combination of the 2 treatments, but looking back I don’t think once a week was often enough.

Never had nice feet or toenails, but yes, definitely worse as I’ve got older. Sooooo tough and hard, yet sometimes bits of side nail can flake away.

Really hard to cut, will have to have them done professionally before long.

Did anyone else get what looked like little splinters within their fingernails after the menopause started? Mine took about 20 years to disappear.

I’ve just had to examine my feet to check! . My toe nails seems much the same as when I was younger. (Wish I could say the same for my face!)

My finger nails are more ridged vertically than they used to be but they’re as strong and fast-growing as ever.

Just check you haven't got a fungal nail infection, that can make your nails thick and yellower.

Yes definitely, I thought mine were changing shape after chemo because I also lost a couple of nails.

Yes and thicker and discoloured. I always have them painted to make them look more attractive.

I had this on my big toes one became ingrowing and painful. I bought a small gadget on Amazon that fixed over the nail for 10 mins each day and gradually the nail flattened out it worked well but I realise it’s not for everyone. I’ve had no problems since.

Mine too!!!

Yes, mine are doing the same and they're much thicker too.

Yup! In growing toe nail on one big toe which, if not properly cared for, becomes very painful. And chiropodists are as rare as hen's teeth around here.