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

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!

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)

I had my big toenails removed - best thing I ever did, it cost about £100 per toe, money well spent. I have never looked back, slight discomfort for a few days but no pain.

I have to use an industrial grinder to keep my toe nails in order, and my eyebrows are like steel hawsers.

Some.of my toe nails went horrible a few years ago, thick and disciplined and a couple were really painful. A friend told me to use Vapour Rub. I sometimes file the tips of the really bad ones, then clip them short and run in the vapour run everday. They are gradually improving, it's taken a year.

I have bunions which mean my second toes are now longer than my big toes. When I wear socks and tights in the winter the friction makes the toe nails thicker on my second toes. I find nail clippers and a good file keeps them in check. Wearing sandals in summer helps the problem.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Yup. Changed and not fir the better.
I Always always always keep them impeccably varnished.....

My toenails are thicker but otherwise healthy and my fingernails are now ridged. I have a 4 weekly mani and pedi (or I did prior to lockdown) as I can't tend to my left foot due to arthritis.

My big toenails are ingrown and I frequently poke my skin with the scissors points trying to get under the edges to cut my nails. One of them also has a vertical crack which has been there for years and just won't grow our.

Yep. Very"horny" now. Not only that, apart from finding it difficult to get down to do them, I can't actually see what I'm doing, so every toenail cutting session is fraught with danger. Fortunately I'm not on blood thinners!

Several years ago I broke my little toe, and since then I haven’t been able to use scissors on that nail. What I have found useful is a nail grinding/buffing gadget which I bought online. It’s a bit like a Dremel drill set but more ladylike! Saves on chiropodist fees.

I go to the chiropodist every 8 weeks, and have so missed this during lockdown. My toenails (on the big toes) are so tough now.

With me it's my little toes, really thick and I can't get the right angle to cut them properly

Me too. Mine have become thicker and nearly impossible to get clippers under to cut. I've been considering going to a podiatrist to have them done. I used to wonder why older people went to them, now I know.

yes, it is normal. Regular maintenance is the way forward- I sit with my feet in a warm soapy bath for 10 mins before cutting, it really helps.

Two years ago I was on holiday in Vietnam. My hotel advertised their pedicure service and I decided to use it, having never had a pedi before. A young girl did the job (It was about £8) and I had to relax on a couch. When she looked at my feet she started to laugh. Two of my toes on the left foot grow sideways and the nails are like rhino horns. Her scissors could not cut them , and she went to get her superior who also laughed. Then she chipped away at the nails until she got them shorter, giggling all the time. Then she painted them with clear varnish, which I had not been consulted about. I had wanted light pink. All the time I felt most uncomfortable about her attitude and did not think it was at all funny to have deformed toes and thick nails. I did not give her a tip. I can cut my thick nails using a strong toenail clipper, just chipping away for a few minutes.

I’ve had a fungal infection on one big toe for years and have spent quite a lot on potions and lotions over the years. About a year ago I went to a chiropodist who told me all I needed was an old eye drop bottle and a bottle of sarsons vinegar. You put it under your infected nail on the crumbly bit. It’s been brilliant, not quite all grown out yet but it shouldn’t take too much longer.

If you have fungal nail infection take care with the oral fungal nail tablets - my friend might have been unlucky but she was seriously ill after a course of tablets for her fungal nail infection. It attacked her immune system.

cossybabe

I had my big toenails removed - best thing I ever did, it cost about £100 per toe, money well spent. I have never looked back, slight discomfort for a few days but no pain.

Do you mean they then grew back perfectly or just stopped growing. Sorry if I sound a bit dense!

Toe nails aren’t too bad although big toes discolored down one side. Worst problem is bending down to them!

Yes, mine have got thick, and can't wait til I can get back to my podiatrist. He normally files the thick ones to make them thinner which makes them easier to deal with. Recently I bought a super pair of clippers on-line. They make the job a lot easier.

Always had nice feet and toe nails but I’ve noticed turning in at the sides and nails so thick so I assume it must be age I’m 64 but I’m on my feet all day with my work so that can’t help.

Bazza. I must try the vinegar cure. Both my big toes have resisted expensive treatments. It would be worth smelling like a chip-shop if it cures the problem! ?
How often do you apply it?

Interesting thread! I have some nails which were getting too thick to cut, also splinter effect someone else mentioned, wondered about fungus too.. Tried several different paint on potions but little difference. Will certainly try vinegar. One kit you had to file the whole of tbe nail surface, with emery board, before applying potion. Gradually i realised i could then easil cut toenails again so have continued filing them. A very easy , and cheap, remedy for thickened toe nails.