Expert Foot & Ankle Treatment from Michigan’s #1 Podiatrist - Balance Foot & Ankle Specialist
Neglecting Your Very Long Toenails?
What You Need to Know About Very Long Toe Nails - Before It’s Too Late
Very long toe nails aren’t just a cosmetic concern—they can lead to serious foot problems like pain, fungal infections, and even mobility issues. Whether you’re dealing with nail overgrowth due to neglect, medical conditions, or mobility challenges, understanding the risks and knowing how to treat them is crucial. This article will guide you through everything you need to know, including causes, solutions, and expert-backed care tips for very long toe nails.
Understanding the Risks of Very Long Toe Nails
Toenails that grow too long can break, curve inward, or trap bacteria and fungus under the nail bed. This often leads to infections, painful walking, or permanent nail damage. People with diabetes or mobility issues are especially at risk. Regular maintenance, proper hygiene, and early intervention are key to avoiding complications. From safe trimming techniques to signs of infection, knowing what to watch for can help protect your foot health.
Very Long Toe Nails -(Toenail Fungus, Ingrown Toenail & Best Treatment!)
Very Long Toe Nails: How Long Do Toenails Take To Grow? Find out how to make them grow MUCH faster! A Toenail can grow fully in 12-18 months!
Toenail Pain (Toenail Fungus, Ingrown Toenails, Discolored Toenails)
Don’t Wait—Treat Your Toenails Before It’s Too Late
Very long toenails can quickly turn into serious health concerns if left unchecked. Don’t risk painful infections or embarrassing nail damage. Book a consultation with our foot specialists today and take the first step toward healthier, more comfortable feet.
Schedule an Appointment Now or Call Us at (810) 206-1402
Very Long Toenails: 7 Best Facts on Fungus, Ingrown Nails, & Treatments
1. A Silent Sign of Bigger Problems
Very long toenails aren’t just an aesthetic issue—they can be a warning sign of poor foot health or even an underlying medical condition. People often overlook toenail care, especially if they’re not physically able to reach their feet regularly. However, neglecting nail trimming can lead to pressure on the nail bed, increased risk of fungal infections, and painful ingrown nails that may require medical intervention.
2. The Link Between Very Long Toenails and Fungal Infections
Toenail fungus thrives in warm, dark, and moist environments—exactly the conditions created when very long toenails are trapped inside shoes for extended periods. Fungus can enter through cracks or splits in the nail, leading to discoloration, thickening, and a foul smell. Left untreated, the infection can spread to other nails and even surrounding skin, making timely care essential.
3. Ingrown Nails: A Common Consequence
One of the most painful complications of very long toenails is the development of ingrown toenails. As the nail curves and digs into the surrounding skin, it can cause redness, swelling, and even pus-filled infections. This is particularly common when the nails are cut improperly or not at all. Regular trimming and correct cutting techniques—such as cutting straight across—can prevent this issue.
4. Safe Treatments and Prevention
The best treatment for very long toenails begins with safe and regular trimming. Soaking the feet in warm water for 10–15 minutes can soften the nails, making them easier to cut. If fungus is present, over-the-counter antifungal creams or medicated nail lacquers may help. In severe cases, especially where toenails have thickened or curved abnormally, it’s best to consult a podiatrist for professional care and trimming.
5. When to Seek Professional Help
If you or someone you care for has very long toenails and experiences pain, changes in nail color, or signs of infection, it’s time to seek medical advice. Seniors, diabetics, or individuals with limited mobility are especially vulnerable to complications. A podiatrist can offer routine care, prescribe effective antifungal treatments, and even recommend custom footwear to relieve pressure on the toes.
6. Impact on Footwear and Walking Comfort
Very long toenails can push against the inside of shoes, causing significant discomfort when walking. This friction not only damages the nail further but can also lead to bruising and thickened nails. In some cases, long nails may even alter your gait, leading to added pressure on joints and potential foot or back pain over time.
7. Long Nails and Hidden Hygiene Risks
Maintaining hygiene becomes more difficult with very long toenails. Dirt, bacteria, and moisture can build up underneath the nail—especially if it’s curling over the tip of the toe. This can increase the risk of bacterial infections, unpleasant odor, and even contribute to athlete’s foot. Routine cleaning and trimming help keep nails and feet healthier overall.
Toenail Fungus Picture Gallery:
This gallery shows different types of toenail fungus.
Look:
- The most common type is called subungual onychomycosis. This is when the toenail fungus gets underneath the toenail and lifts the nail.
- This can cause damage to the toenail bed, preventing future attachment of the toenail.
- It is also possible to get superficial white onychomycosis. This is the buildup of white superficial fungus on top of the toenail.
- If you just removed your toenail polish, this may not be fungus. It may be something called keratin granulations.
- This may not be fungus if you have white horizontal lines or white horizontal ridges on your toenails.
- It is also possible to get it throughout the entire nail, or the nail is destroyed and is dead.
- The good news is these are all very treatable!
So click on the photos for gallery mode & description!
Click On Pictures For Full Size & Descriptions
How long do toenails take to growth:
- Fingernails grow on average about 3.5 mm per month toenails girl on average 1.5 mm per month.
- For comparison’s sake, the average grain of rice is 6 mm long.
- With increased blood flow, nails can grow significantly faster.
- With increased grooming clipping in filing, they can grow symmetrically faster.
- If there is toenail fungus or agitation to the nails, they can fall off and it can prevent them from growing.
What causes very long toe nails?
- If you have very long toe nails and it is not fungal nails (onychomycosis) then it is almost always a condition called onychogryphosis or mechanically induced nail trauma.
- The stem cells that grow the nail are permanently damaged and you have a very thick and difficult to trim nail- but it is usually a normal color.
- This is especially common on the first and the fifth toenails.
Symptoms:
- Thick, crumbly and tender nails that can result in an ingrown toenails.
- The surface of the nails becomes thick and rough.
- This pressure is transferred into the nail bed and causes pain.
- They can impair walking by injuring the adjacent toenails and but becoming long and curved.
Prevention:
- Most likely your shoes are too small, get bigger ones!
- Check if you are sore at your big toenail and fifth toenail, this means too tight.
- Keep you nails trimmed with a heavy duty nipper.
- Use a moisturizing agent on the nail.
Causes:
- Most commonly in people who work on their feet all day.
- Most common cause – Small shoes that constantly crush the base of the nails or long distance running or athletics that create chronic rubbing against the shoe.
- Pregnancy(swollen toes) is a very common cause of thick nails!
- Injury, infection, peripheral vascular disease, diabetes or even malnutrition.
Home Treatment:
Foot Soak:
- Soak the foot in warm water 3-4x per day for 15-30mins.
- This will make the nail and the skin softer easier trimming of the nails.
- It also makes the nails softer for using an emery board or a pumice stone to make the nails smoother on top.
- A foot soak can be combined with anti-fungal solutions.
Groom the Toenail:
- If the nail is ingrown and causing you any pain: Soak the nail as above and try to lift the nail and put some gauze or a bandaid underneath the sharp and painful corner.
- Be careful attempting to cut out the in-growth yourself, if you cut yourself at all go see a podiatrist immediately, especially if you have diabetes, you have unusually bad foot circulation or any other systemic medical condition.
- When trimming your nails, cut straight across. Do not round the corners.
- Keep the nail thin and make sure the nail curvature remains decreased.
Size the shoe properly:
- Avoid heels or tight shoes until the nails become softer and you are able to cut the thickness down.
- It is good to use a Brannock device to measure your shoe in width, length and arch length.
How to make toenails grow faster:
- Proven therapies for making toenails grow faster include:
- Taking biotin as a supplement has been proven in 2007 study.
- Clipping filing and grooming your toenails has been proven as a great treatment to keep your toenails growing faster.
- Taking a daily multivitamin, and get enough sunlight, increasing blood flow through your body will make them grow faster.
- The younger you are, the faster your toenails will grow.
- The more unhealthy you are, such as diabetes or heart problems: Will make your toenails grow slower.
Podiatrist Treatment:
- Essential to go see the podiatrist if this ever comes back or if the nail ever penetrates your skin after trying to take care of it at home.
- Early treatment can be splints, cotton wicks, plastic strips, plastic tubes down the side of the nail, plastic type glue under the corner is possible.
- The physician can attempt a nail avulsion.
- The 1st step is to resect the nail after some numbing medication is used, then correct the underlying problem, whether it be nail dystrophy or nail fungus.
- The 2nd step is to see if it comes back in 1-2 months. An X-ray should be taken to rule out a bone spur under the nail. A nail avulsion may be attempted- this is a permanent resection of that border of the nail ensuring it will never grow back.
- Tetanus prophylaxis may be needed. 1st the podiatrist will numb around the base of the toe, then cut back on the nail and use sodium hydroxide or phenol in the nail bed to keep the nail from growing back If an infection is present- Antibiotics will be necessary, then the toe is covered by ointment and gauze- you will be back on your feet in no time!
- More extensive surgery can be used in very severe cases to remove the entire nail. The nail matrix is then treated with Phenol to prevent re-growth.
Other Related Nail Problems:
See if any of these other problems apply to your situation!
- Toenail Fungus
- Very Long Toenails
- Ingrown Toenail
- Toenail Falling Off
- Black Streaks Under The Nails
- White Patches On Toenails
- Black Spot Under The Toenail
- Red Spot Under The Toenail
- Toenail Coming Off The Nail Bed
- Toenail Psoriasis
For more information on Very Long Toe Nails:
