Q: I have two toenails on each foot that only get thicker and will not grow. It’s as if they are layering. This has been a problem since my late teens. I visited a dermatologist once and was told it was not a fungus. Is there anything that can correct the abnormality?

A: Thick toenails are an annoying condition. The nails may appear unhealthy and discolored, or indicative of other undiagnosed problems such as hidden infection, injury to the root of the nail (which should be temporary), or psoriasis and eczema. Nails are made of a tough protein known as keratin. As our skin becomes irritated and inflamed by a skin condition, the tissue around the nail roots can be the cause. Should the cause be a fungus, you might have noticed a discoloration years ago as the initial problem began.

First, the problem you have may be genetic. If your parents or grandparents had thick nails, you have your answer. It may also be a difficult task to keep your nails trimmed if they are exceedingly thick. You might consider purchasing a pair of heavy duty nail clippers for the chore. Begin by soaking your feet in warm water to soften the nails as much as possible. Then trim the nails back carefully to avoid skin damage. This is critical in the case of diabetics.

Then you might consider getting a thick emery board and file the thickness of the nails down. Follow this by applying two or three drops of tea tree oil to the affected areas with a cotton swab. Repeat the process daily until results are observed but don’t expect miracles overnight. I wouldn’t recommend you file your nails down all in one sitting, so to speak, but rather over a period of several days or weeks. Another option is to apply a thick coating of medicated chest rub to the affected nails at night before going to bed. Cover your feet with white socks that you will leave on overnight. It sounds lengthy, but the process may need to be repeated nightly for up to six months.

You indicate you visited a dermatologist who stated you didn’t have a fungal infection, but I will touch on that issue lightly because one might be present at this stage. It’s easy for a fungal infection to be present under your thick nails that cannot be visually detected. The infection is technically known as onychomycosis, one of the most common causes of thick nails. In fact, reports indicate that more than 10% of the population of North America is infected with onychomycosis. Any location where people walk barefoot such as a public locker room, swimming pool area, or using another person’s towel or wearing their socks or shoes can be a source of contamination. The condition can be so embarrassing to an individual that he or she will refuse to wear sandals or open-toed shoes in public.

One over-the-counter item that works well is Miranel that contains natural tea tree oil, menthol, eucalyptus, and camphor. The product comes with its own applicator brush, file and instruction booklet – everything you need to remedy your long-standing problem if there should be a hidden bacterial infection under those thick nails. The nails are simply trimmed back as much as safely possible and coated with the ointment. The process should be applied daily and may take up to a month before healthy, natural-looking nails appear. Visit your Walgreens, Meijer, USA Drug, or most local independent pharmacies for the product or visit their website at www.MiranelBrands.com. Miranel contains miconazole nitrate which is recognized by the FDA as a safe and effective anti-fungal, making it an excellent alternative to prescription products.

Providing the cause for your thick nails is an undetected infection, you might also soak your feet in Listerine four times a day for up to three weeks.

If you remain unsuccessful with the options given, I recommend you visit a podiatrist, a specialist who can provide assistance. Good luck.