What happens to toe nails as you age?

As we age, our toenails – and fingernails – slow their growth rate, and the nails thicken because the nail cells, called onychocytes, sort of pile up. Fingernails appear to thicken less, probably because we tend to them more often with filing and buffing, which thins them.

Why do old people have weird toe nails?

Both fingernails and toenails thicken as we get older. We only notice it with toenails because they’re usually not filed and buffed as often as fingernails. The growth rate of nails decreases when people get older. This results in thickening because nail cells pile up.

Do toe nails thicken with age?

Aging may cause the toenails, as well as the fingernails, to thicken. Often, as a person ages, the nails on their toes start to thicken. Though the condition is most common on the toenails, it is possible for the fingernails to thicken also.

Why does aging cause ridges in fingernails?

Slight vertical ridges in fingernails often develop in older adults, possibly due to a slowing of cell turnover. This is when new skin cells produced below the surface of your skin rise up to take the place of dead cells that are discarded from the surface.

How do you treat an aging toenail?

Toenail Care for the Elderly

1. Cut nails after a shower or bath, or use a foot soak to soften toenails.
2. Sanitize nail clippers by boiling or cleaning with rubbing alcohol.
3. Wash your hands before and after cutting your toenails.
4. Trim nail straight across without curving down at the ends.

Why do older people’s toenails turn yellow?

One of the most common causes of yellow toenails in an infection by a fungus that attacks the nails. This is called onychomycosis, and it happens more in adults than children. It can lead the nail to turn yellow, have yellow spots, white patches, or even turn black.

How do I keep my toenails healthy as I age?

How to keep your toenails looking great as you get older

1. Look for irregularities. Take a good look at your feet and see if you notice any changes.
2. Stay warm and dry.
3. Cut toenails properly.
4. Keep elevated.
5. Avoid nail polish.
6. Use lemon.
7. Treat your toenail fungus with mouthwash.
8. Take a walk.

Why do toenails get brittle as you age?

Cause: Age As you get older, your nails may dry out and grow more slowly. Toenails usually get thicker and harder, while fingernails get thinner and easier to break. There’s no specific age when this happens, and it doesn’t happen to everyone, but it could be the cause of your brittle nails.

What do Ageing nails look like?

The nails change with aging, growing more slowly, and becoming dull and brittle. The color may change from translucent to yellowed and opaque. Nails, especially toenails, may become hard and thick and ingrown toenails may be more common. The tips of the fingernails may fragment.

Why do toenails get harder as you get older?

Blood circulation is when the small blood vessels in our feet begin to narrow and become thicker making it harder for the blood to flow. This then causes the nail cells to build up causing the nail to thicken from the nail root.