How to Get Rid of Dark Ankles (Thick Skin on Ankle Bone)?

home remedies to get rid of thick dark ankles

Dark thick skin on ankles is due to numerous things including serious medical condition. Fortunately, there are many home remedies to get rid of dark ankles.

Before jumping to recipes, the mere cause of this discoloration must be known, as it can be associated with the medical condition.

What Causes Skin to Turn Dark Around the Ankles?

Wet clothes, wearing boots and certain medical issues are held responsible for this discoloration.

Pigmentation on the skin is common when triggered by environmental factors. But, if the pigmented skin is changing gradually, then you must see a physician. (1)

Venous stasis, sprains, and bruises can cause dark ankles. These problematic medical ailments occur due to poor blood circulation.

According to experts, venous stasis occurs when veins lose the ability to circulate blood towards heart from legs. This results in pooling red blood cells and turning the skin color of ankles to dark.

(Related post: How to lighten dark knuckles and toes?)

External injury or wearing unsteady shoes and walking on uneven ground results in rupture of minor capillaries, which results in accumulation of blood under the skin turning it to blue and then black.

Apart from medical conditions, your ankles turn dark due to injury, hiking or external trauma.

How to Get Rid of Dark Ankles with Home Remedies?

Natural remedies are safe and effective towards ailments.

But, in case of serious medical conditions, you must initially consult a physician, because topical application of these ingredients will not treat the ailment from inside.

Below mentioned are different recipes to get rid of dark thick skin on the ankle bone.

#1. Lemon Juice

Bleaching ability residing in this citrus fruit is prominent. Filled with essential vitamins and minerals, topical application of lemon juice will lighten your dark ankles.

  • Wash ankles with water and pat dry.
  • Squeeze fresh lemon and collects its juice in a bowl.
  • Using a cotton ball apply the juice on dark ankles.
  • Allow it to dry naturally.

Repeat the process twice in a week.

#2. Aloe Vera Gel

Renowned for its healing and sticky nature, aloe vera gel also exhibits skin whitening abilities.

Aloe gel consists of 150 nutritional components including minerals, lignins, salicylic acids, and enzymes.

  • Extract fresh aloe gel from your garden or borrow from a neighbor.
  • Apply a tablespoon of aloe vera paste on your affected skin.
  • Allow it to dry for few hours.

Hydrating property housed in this ingredient will soften your thick skin on the ankle bone.

#3. Castor Oil for Dark Ankles

Omega-3 fatty acids residing in castor oil penetrates into deeper layers of the skin and improves blood circulation.

Vitamin E residing in this folk remedy can lighten the appearance of discolored ankles and increase cell regeneration.

  • Take required amount of this thick oil and apply it on the prewashed
  • Hold the oil by wearing socks and remove them in the morning.
  • You can also wrap ankle with a cloth.

#4. Coconut Oil

Studies conclude that topical application of coconut oil is effective for hydrating your skin. (2)

Fatty acids help to restrain bacterial infection, hydrate your skin and reduce discoloration of ankles.

  • Mix 1 tablespoon of coconut oil with half lemon juice.
  • Wash your ankles and pat dry.
  • Apply the mixed solution on dark ankles and leave it to dry.

Also read: How to use coconut oil to whiten skin?

#5. Potato Juice

Topical application of potato juice will also help to get rid of dark ankles.

Instead of juice, to make it simple you can rub your thick-skinned ankles with sliced potatoes.

Rinse it off with lukewarm water after few hours.

#6. Cucumber

Consists of high concentration of water, cucumber has skin lightening abilities. You can use it on the face regularly to obtain radiant skin.

Bleaching ability of this innate ingredient can’t be ignored.

  • Similar to above recipe, sliced two cucumbers.
  • Rub them on dark ankles for few minutes.
  • Allow the juice to dry for 20 minutes.
  • Rinse it off with water.

#7. Milk and Rice Flour Paste

Rice flour removes excess sebum piled on your skin. Nutrients in this home available ingredient can protect your skin from UV rays and reduce the appearance of the dark complexion.

Lactic acid in milk is known to exhibit cosmetic benefits.

  • Mix 3 tbsp of milk with 1 tbsp of rice flour.
  • Apply the obtained paste on the prewashed
  • Rinse it off after 20 minutes.

#8. Sandalwood and Rose Water

Beauty benefits of both ingredients are prominent, which needs no explanation.

Sandalwood powder is housed with anti-tanning and skin whitening properties. Topical application will lighten the appearance of dark ankles.

  • Mix equal quantities of sandalwood powder and rosewater.
  • Wash your dark ankles to remove impurities.
  • Pat dry and apply the obtained paste on thick ankles.
  • Rinse the mask after 15-20 minutes.

#9. Baking Soda and Water

Baking soda is one of the extensively used ingredients. It has many beauty benefits in it.

  • Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 tablespoons of water.
  • Now apply the paste on affected part in circular motion.
  • Allow it to dry naturally for 15 minutes and then rinse it off.

#10. Cocoa Butter

Anecdotal reports claim that topical application of cocoa butter can lighten the appearance of scars and improve skin complexion.

Vitamin E residing in this ingredient can help to promote collagen production and cell regeneration.

  • Apply pure cocoa butter on thick dark ankles.
  • Allow it to sit for 15 minutes.
  • Rinse it off with water.

#11. Oatmeal and Honey Scrub

Exfoliating is important to remove accumulated dead skin cells. Oatmeal is renowned for this purpose.

  • Coarsely grind oats and mix it with 2 tablespoons of oatmeal.
  • Now apply this paste on your ankles in a circular
  • Allow it to dry for 15 minutes.
  • Rinse it off with water.

#12. Glycerin

Renowned for its hydrating and healing properties, glycerin can help to soften the thick skin on ankles.

Apply required amount of glycerin on your ankles before going to bed. You can blend glycerin with rosewater.

Rinse it off in the morning.

Overview

  • Hydrate your skin with rosewater or glycerin.
  • Exfoliate with gram flour, rice flour or walnut shells.
  • Apply natural moisturizer like almond oil for cell regeneration.

You must consult a physician to confirm the ailment behind dark ankles. Which home remedy do you use to get rid of dark ankles?

How to Get Rid Thick Skin Under Toenails & Fingernails – 5 DIY Recipes

get rid of thick skin under toenails

Thick skin under toenails can lead to separation of toenail from the nail bed. This comfortable and sometimes painful disorder is mainly caused by fungal infection.

Reports claim that about 10% of US population has this disorder. It is scientifically known as onychomycosis.

According to medical experts at Columbia University onychomycosis triggers thick dry skin along the outermost edges of the nail and continue to underneath toenails.

Though it’s not associated with a health problem, but the negative consequence of onychomycosis is not ignorable. Topical ointments and good hygiene are enough to get rid of thick skin under toenails.

Before discussing the actual remedy, let me first throw light on fungal infection.

Keratin Buildup Under Toenails: Causes

Your hair, skin, and nails are made of an identical protein called as keratin. These keratin cells combine to form nail plate.

Due to several factors, excess keratin is built under toenails resulting in nail discoloration or separation from the nail bed.

External trauma, thyroid problem, side-effects of certain medication or nail fungus may result in the build of keratin beneath the toenail.

Experts say that unhygienic practice will entice fungus and bacteria to invade your moist foot. Then the dermatophyte fungus triggers fungal infection, which may turn your toenails and skin underneath toe to yellow and thick.

How to Get Rid of Thick Skin Under Toenails: Home Remedies

Don’t despair if you experience this disorder, as it may result in foul odor, nail discoloration, and pain.

Regular application of ointment can effectively treat this disorder.

Step: 1

Wash your toenails with anti-bacterial soap to wipe dirt and impurities accumulated. Use luke-warm water for this purpose.

Pat dry toenails with a clean cloth and avoid moisture between toenails.

Step: 2

Trim your nails with a nail cutter and file the sharp edges. This will help to remove remaining dirt accumulated under the nail.

Step: 3

Topically apply anti-fungal ointment on your toenails and around it.

Home Remedies to Get Rid Of Thick Under Toenails

Instead of these steroid creams, you can try your own homemade recipe.

  • Pour few drops of apple cider vinegar into a tub of water. Mix thoroughly and soak your affected feet into the plastic tub. Rinse it off with water after 15-20 minutes.
  • ACV is acetic and packed with antimicrobial properties that can thwart infectious bacteria.

#1 Glycerin and Lemon Juice

  • Glycerin is prominent for its healing and hydrating ability.
  • Mix required an amount of glycerin with lemon juice.
  • Apply it directly over the thick skin under toenails.
  • Leave it to dry naturally.

#2 Epsom Salt

Assorted properties residing in this ingredient help to get rid of the thick skin and restrain infectious fungi.

  • Add required amount of Epsom salt to water.
  • Now soak your feet in the water tub for about 15-20 minutes.
  • Pat dry and apply petroleum jelly to hydrate the skin.
  • Try this simple remedy twice in a week.

#3 Lemon Juice and Warm Water

Acidic nature of lemon juice is perfect to remove impurities and thick skin. The antibacterial and anti-fungal ability can help to restrain the infection.

  • Add lemon juice to lukewarm
  • Soak your feet in the water tub for 20 minutes.
  • Pat dry with a clean cloth.

#4 Tea Tree Oil

This is one of the most effective ways to combat fungal infection. Renowned for its moisturizing and healing abilities, tea tree oil can reduce major skin ailments.

  • Drop few drops of tea tree oil over affected toenail.
  • High concentration of this essential oil may irritate your skin.
  • So beauty experts recommend blending it with a carrier oil to dilute the solution.

#5 Baking Soda

Alkaline nature of baking soda helps to inhibit fungal growth. You can mix baking soda with water to apply it over the toenails or mix Sodium borate (borax) with it.

  • Mix these two ingredients with water to form a thick
  • Apply it over affected toenails and leave it to dry for 15-20 minutes.
  • Repeat this twice in a week.

Other remedies include coconut oil, lavender oil, oregano oil and olive oil.

There are many foot soak recipes to get rid of thick skin under toenails.

One of the most effective yet inexpensive home remedies is to use foot soak at home.

It’s really fascinating that you can work on your laptop while vinegar foot soak removes dead skin from your feet. I know time is precious and you can’t spend long hours in the soak. But, when you can try chemical filled creams why not try this home remedy?

Thick Skin Under Fingernails: Home Remedy

Naturally healthy nails are not surrounded by thick or dry skin. Like in the case of toenails, the skin under fingernails turns hard due to various internal and external factors.

  • Fungal infection can be responsible for this unnatural texture of skin.
  • Chronic skin diseases like psoriasis can show its effect over nail by making them thick.
  • Ineffective blood circulation may turn soft skin under fingernails to thick.

Like in the case of toenails, you must initially diagnose with the help of an expert and accordingly start the treatment.

One common way to keep things at bay is to moisturize your hands with coconut oil or other essential oils. These oils are packed with antibacterial properties which can thwart infectious bacteria.

Bacteria grow in the moist and dark environment. So avoid wearing wet gloves, socks or shoes, and when you don’t use them keep it under the sun.

These simple tips to get rid of thick skin under the toenails and fingernails may not show instant results but surely you’ll see long-lasting results if you regularly practice it.

Tips: How to Get Rid of Thick Skin Under Toenails and Fingernails

Prevention is the best option than treatment.

  • Wash your toenails and fingernails regularly with anti-bacterial soap.
  • Cut your nails short and avoid moisture between nails.
  • Prefer shoes that absorb sweat.
  • Avoid wearing old shoes.
  • Spat anti-fungal spray inside your shoes to inhibit fungal growth.
  • Occasionally take off your shoes to reduce humidity.
  • Wear rubber gloves to protect your fingernails from long exposure to water and chemicals.
  • Avoid trimming skin around the nails, this will allow germs to invade your nail bed.
  • Don’t trim or cut cuticles.
  • Wear sandals while in public areas like locker rooms and swimming pools.
  • Chemical incorporated nail polish must be avoided.
  • Drink enough water and consult your physician regularly. (Source)

Image source

Save