How often should you trim your toenails. What are the best techniques for cutting toenails. Which tools are essential for proper toenail care. How can you prevent ingrown toenails and fungal infections. Why is regular toenail maintenance crucial for foot health.

The Importance of Regular Toenail Maintenance

Toenails serve as protective shields for our toes, composed of a robust protein called keratin. These hardworking structures endure significant daily stress, making proper care essential. Regular toenail maintenance not only keeps your feet looking neat but also plays a crucial role in preventing various podiatric issues.

Dr. Leonard Greenwald, a respected podiatrist from San Jose, California, emphasizes the significance of proper toenail care in reducing the risk of common foot problems. By adopting correct trimming techniques and using appropriate tools, you can safeguard your feet against complications such as ingrown toenails and fungal infections.

How Often Should You Trim Your Toenails?

Establishing a consistent toenail trimming routine is vital for maintaining foot health. But how frequently should you attend to this task?

• Aim to trim your toenails approximately once a week
• If your nails grow slowly, you may occasionally extend the interval between trimmings
• Maintain a regular schedule to prevent potential foot problems

Neglecting your toenails and allowing them to grow excessively long can lead to various issues. Overgrown nails are more susceptible to breakage and provide an ideal environment for fungal infections to develop. Additionally, long nails increase the risk of painful hangnails or tears that can expose the sensitive nail bed.

The Risks of Overgrown Toenails

When toenails are left unchecked, they can cause several problems:

1. Increased likelihood of nail breakage
2. Higher risk of fungal infections
3. Greater chance of developing painful hangnails
4. Potential for nail bed exposure and associated discomfort

Expert Techniques for Proper Toenail Trimming

Mastering the art of toenail trimming is essential for maintaining healthy feet. Dr. Greenwald recommends the following techniques to ensure optimal results:

Preparing Your Nails

If your toenails are particularly thick or tough, consider soaking them before trimming. This can be done during a bath, shower, or by using a dedicated foot bath. Softening the nails makes them easier to cut accurately and comfortably.

The Correct Cutting Technique

When trimming your toenails, always cut straight across. This technique helps prevent ingrown toenails and other complications. It’s acceptable to leave the corners slightly longer, as this reduces the risk of sharp edges that can lead to ingrown nails.

Protecting Your Cuticles

Exercise caution when trimming around the cuticles. Cutting into these protective skin barriers can result in irritation or infection. Always trim the nail itself, leaving the cuticles intact.

Finishing Touches

After trimming, allow your nails to dry completely if you’ve soaked them. Then, use a nail file to gently round off the corners of each toenail. This final step further reduces the risk of ingrown toenails by eliminating sharp edges.

Essential Tools for Proper Toenail Care

Having the right tools at your disposal is crucial for effective toenail maintenance. Dr. Greenwald recommends the following items for your toenail care kit:

• High-quality nail clippers appropriately sized for your toenails
• A durable nail file for smoothing and shaping
• Cuticle pusher (optional) for gently maintaining cuticles
• Emery board for fine-tuning nail edges

Regularly inspect your tools to ensure they remain sharp and effective. Dull clippers can make trimming difficult and may lead to jagged cuts or nail damage. Replace your tools when they show signs of wear to maintain optimal performance.

Preventing Common Toenail Problems

Proper toenail care goes beyond regular trimming. By adopting a comprehensive approach to foot health, you can significantly reduce the risk of various podiatric issues. Here are some key preventive measures:

Ingrown Toenail Prevention

Ingrown toenails occur when the nail grows into the surrounding skin, causing pain and inflammation. To minimize this risk:

• Trim nails straight across, avoiding curved cuts
• Don’t cut nails too short
• Wear properly fitting shoes that don’t compress your toes
• Avoid tight socks or hosiery that can put pressure on nails

Combating Toenail Fungus

Fungal infections can cause discoloration, thickening, and brittleness of the nails. Prevent these infections by:

• Keeping feet clean and dry
• Wearing breathable footwear
• Using antifungal powder in shoes
• Avoiding walking barefoot in public areas like locker rooms or pools

Maintaining Overall Foot Hygiene

General foot care practices that contribute to healthy toenails include:

• Washing feet daily with soap and water
• Drying thoroughly, especially between toes
• Moisturizing feet to prevent dry, cracked skin
• Rotating shoes to allow them to dry between wears

Special Considerations for Diabetic Foot Care

Individuals with diabetes require extra attention to their foot health, including toenail care. Diabetes can lead to reduced sensation in the feet and impaired circulation, making proper foot maintenance crucial.

Why Diabetic Foot Care Matters

For people with diabetes, even minor foot injuries can potentially lead to serious complications. Proper toenail care is essential because:

• It reduces the risk of cuts or abrasions that could become infected
• It helps maintain overall foot health, crucial for diabetic patients
• It allows for early detection of potential foot problems

Diabetic Toenail Care Tips

If you have diabetes, consider these additional toenail care recommendations:

• Inspect your feet daily for any changes or signs of injury
• Use extra caution when trimming nails to avoid cuts
• Consider seeking professional podiatric care for nail trimming
• Report any changes in nail color, texture, or shape to your healthcare provider

When to Seek Professional Podiatric Care

While regular at-home toenail maintenance is crucial, there are instances when professional podiatric care becomes necessary. Dr. Greenwald advises seeking expert help in the following situations:

Signs You Need Professional Toenail Care

• Persistent pain or discomfort in your toes or nails
• Changes in nail color, texture, or shape
• Thickening of the nails that makes trimming difficult
• Recurring ingrown toenails
• Signs of fungal infection, such as yellowing or brittleness
• Diabetes or circulation problems that affect your feet

A podiatrist can provide specialized care tailored to your specific needs, ensuring optimal foot health and addressing any underlying issues that may be affecting your toenails.

The Long-Term Benefits of Proper Toenail Care

Investing time and effort in proper toenail care yields numerous long-term benefits for your overall foot health and well-being. By maintaining a consistent toenail care routine, you can:

• Reduce the risk of painful ingrown toenails
• Minimize the likelihood of fungal infections
• Prevent complications associated with overgrown or damaged nails
• Improve the overall appearance of your feet
• Enhance comfort when wearing shoes
• Detect potential foot problems early, allowing for timely intervention

Remember that your toenails are an integral part of your foot health. By following these expert tips and techniques, you can ensure that your toenails remain strong, healthy, and free from common podiatric issues. If you have concerns about your toenail health or need professional guidance, don’t hesitate to consult a qualified podiatrist like Dr. Greenwald for personalized care and advice.

Are You Cutting Your Toenails Properly?: Leonard Greenwald, DPM: Podiatrist

Are You Cutting Your Toenails Properly?: Leonard Greenwald, DPM: Podiatrist

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Your toenails protect the tops of your toes. Made of a strong protein called keratin, your toenails have to stand up to a lot of wear-and-tear on a daily basis.

You can support your toenails by regularly trimming them using the correct tools and technique. Proper toenail care lowers your risk of nail problems and podiatry issues like ingrown toenails or toenail fungus infections.

Expert podiatrist Leonard Greenwald, DPM, treats new and existing patients from his office in San Jose, California. Dr. Greenwald can help if you have a toenail problem currently. He can also recommend tips and techniques to maintain your toenails correctly, protecting you from problems in the future.

Here’s what Dr. Greenwald thinks you need to know about toenail trimming and care.

How frequently to trim

On average, you should trim your toenails about once a week. If your nails grow slowly, you may be able to skip a week here or there without too much trouble, but you should still maintain a regular nail-trimming habit or schedule.

Longer toenails become an increasing risk for podiatric problems as you leave them to grow. Long nails are more likely to break and provide opportunities for fungal infections to take root, or for hangnails or tears to lead to painful exposure of your underlying nail bed.

Trimming tips and techniques

If your toenails are very thick or tough, soaking in a bath, shower, or foot bath before trimming can soften them and make it easier to cut your nails with accuracy and comfort.

You should always trim your toenails straight across. It’s okay to leave the corners of your nails a little on the longer side – you mostly don’t want sharp edges to put you at risk of ingrown toenails.

When trimming your toenails, take care not to cut into your cuticles, as this can result in irritation or infection.

If you soaked your nails, let them dry before picking up your nail file. Finish by rounding off the corners of each toenail with the nail file in order to reduce the sharpness that can potentially cause ingrown toenails.

The right tools for the job

Make sure you have the tools you need for proper toenail care. You need good clippers that are the right size for your nails. If your clippers have gotten dull and difficult to use, you may need to replace them. You’ll also need a good nail file to round out the corners of your toenails after trimming.

When you take good care of your toenails, you lower your risk for ingrown toenails, broken nails, toe deformities, toenail fungus, and other common podiatry issues.

If you have chronic conditions like diabetes, or other reasons why you could need professional support with foot care, get in touch with Dr. Greenwald for the podiatry services you need. Contact our office online or over the phone today to schedule your appointment.

Why Diabetics Should Take Extra Care of Their Feet

It’s always a good idea to take care of your feet. But people with diabetes need additional diabetic foot care. Read to understand why having diabetes means you need to take extra steps to care for and protect your feet. 

Can Bunions Be Corrected Without Surgery?

Bunions can cause significant foot discomfort and make it challenging to find shoes that fit. If you’re not ready for bunion surgery, do you still have treatment options? Read on to learn nonsurgical ways to deal with bunions.

What Issues Can Orthotics Correct?

Orthotics are shoe inserts that can help with many podiatric problems, from hammertoes to fallen arches. Do you have a foot problem that’s treatable with orthotics? Read to learn more about the ways orthotics could benefit you.

My Toenail Fungus Is Embarrassing: Can You Help?

Toenail fungus can make your nails look discolored or misshapen, leaving you ashamed to show your feet. With professional podiatry care, you can get the help you need to banish toenail fungus! Keep reading to learn more.

How to Prevent a Diabetic Ulcer

Living with diabetes puts your feet at risk. Diabetic ulcers and other foot issues can occur. Read on to learn more about diabetic ulcers and what you can do to protect your feet if you have diabetes.

Is a Toenail Trauma an Emergency?

You’ve hurt your toenail. Is this an emergency? Read for the information you need to decide on the right next steps for your care and treatment after a toenail trauma.

Are You Clipping Your Toenails Properly?

Did you know your toenails and fingernails start growing before you’re born, and they never stop? On average, toenails grow about 1.6 millimeters per month, and that means you need to clip them regularly.

And while clipping toenails might seem like an insignificant task, there’s actually a right way to do it. Poorly trimmed toenails can cause painful broken nails and ingrown toenails. And if you have diabetes, poorly trimmed toenails could put your overall health at serious risk.

In many ways, good foot health starts with proper toenail trimming techniques. We offer toenail trimming services at Mountain View Foot & Ankle Institute in South Ogden, Utah. As a leading podiatrist, David B. Glover, DPM, FACFAS, is here to help you learn the right way to trim your nails.

Why proper toenail clipping matters

Toenails that are too long, too short, or cut incorrectly can hurt your feet and overall health.

Toenails that are cut too short can cause ingrown nails, which is when the corner of a nail grows into the skin around it. Ingrown toenails can be quite painful, and they can put you at risk of infection. Long toenails can catch on socks, shoes, or blankets and rip. And sharp nails can cut areas they come in contact with.

If you have diabetes, these scratches and cuts can be particularly dangerous. You might not notice the injuries at first due to diabetic nerve damage. And, because diabetes can cause poor circulation, the wounds may heal slowly and end up getting infected.

How to clip your toenails

You might not give trimming your toenails much thought. It’s a personal hygiene task that needs to be done, but it’s important to do it correctly to avoid painful foot complications.

1. Start with clean feet

Wash your feet with a gentle soap and rinse. Then, dry your feet thoroughly. Pay special attention to the spaces between your toes to make sure all of your skin is dry.

2. Use clean, sharp clippers

Always use clean, sharp tools to trim your nails. You can use toenail clippers or nail scissors, based on your personal preferences.

3. Trim your toenails

Trim your toenails straight across. Avoid rounding the corners, as this can increase your risk of getting an ingrown nail. Make sure to cut your nails short enough that they don’t catch on fabrics, but not so short that the ends of the nails feel sensitive.

4. File your nails

Once your nails are clipped, you can file them to smooth out any rough edges. Let your toenails dry completely before you file, and always file in one direction to avoid splintering the nails.

Get in the habit of trimming your toenails every 6-8 weeks or so. Everyone’s nails grow at a slightly different rate, so get in the habit of examining your feet regularly so you know when it’s time to clip your nails again.

If reaching your toes is difficult for you or you’re concerned that you won’t clip your nails properly, ask Dr. Glover and our team about professional toenail trimming. We can clip your nails, and we often combine the service with a full foot exam.

If you have more questions about trimming your toenails, or if you would like to take advantage of our toenail trimming services, call 801-614-2996 or book an appointment online with Mountain View Foot & Ankle Institute today.

How to properly cut the nails on the hands of a child and an adult with various tools

The neatness of our hands, or rather nails, can say a lot about us. For example, who we work with or what we have been doing lately. But most importantly, on this basis, you can determine how much a person takes care of himself. The first step in nail care is length control. We will talk about how to cut nails correctly in this article.

Contents

Nail structure

The nail plate consists of several main parts:

Structure of the nail base of the nail;

cuticle – the horny part of the epidermis, which lies on the nail plate at the base.

Features of growth

The length of the regrown edge is mainly determined by the genetic background of the person. The thinner the plate, the shorter its length and vice versa. But sometimes the depletion of the nail plate can be caused by acquired diseases.

The nail is a constantly renewing part of the human body, so it can always be influenced and corrected with the help of cosmetology or medicine. Irreversible processes can begin only in case of damage to the nail root.

Choice of length: when long nails need to be cut

Short nails – extending slightly beyond the finger but not over the nail bed – this is the most convenient and versatile length.

It is important to monitor the optimal length of the nails and cut them off in time

1. She does not need special skills to handle her.
2. With such a manicure, it is much more convenient to attend sports training, travel, do housework, relax or just go to evening events.
3. Such nails will always look neat enough.
4. Short nails are quite difficult to scratch or catch on something. Therefore, this is the ideal length for new moms.

Nails that extend beyond the finger by a length of 30 mm or more are considered appropriate only for purely festive occasions, such as weddings. For everyday life, this size of the overgrown region is unacceptable.

When choosing the length of the nail, you should be guided by a sense of comfort

Long nails are considered to be nail plates that have grown from the finger to a length from 5 mm to half the size of the nail bed. This length is always successful for women: it visually lengthens the finger itself, allows you to experiment with manicure.

And even if the owner of such a manicure has rather lush hands, they will seem longer, thinner and more elegant. For such a nail pad, the most spectacular patterns with sequins and rhinestones are used.

The only rule that any girl should be guided by when choosing the length of the free edge of the nail plate is convenience and comfort . Some women feel insecure with a short edge, while others feel the opposite. It is necessary to strive so that the length does not cause discomfort, but only brings pleasure even from one glance at your hands.

There is one unspoken law among manicure masters: short nails can be painted with the brightest varnishes, and long ones use only light colors and French manicure.

You can cut the regrown plate at any time, the main thing is that the length of the regrown edge does not exceed a few millimeters. With constant care, a haircut should be done every 1-2 weeks.

Tips for trimming nails

How to trim your fingernails

Manicure tools

Tools needed

• Clean and sharp nippers or nail scissors for trimming the nail edges on the feet and hands.
• Tray for steaming hands.
• Cuticle cutter (forceps or scissors).
• Moisturizing cream.
• Nail file.

Preparing for clipping

Before clipping nails with scissors or nail clippers, wash your hands with soap and soak them in a tub of warm water for a few minutes. Next, pick up a cutting tool: nail scissors or nippers. All cutting tools that will be used in the manicure process must be disinfected.

Step-by-step instructions for cutting nails with scissors

Process for cutting nails with scissors

• Hands should be placed on a hard surface in a comfortable position.
• Determine how far you want to shorten the free nail edge.
• Turn the scissors to the nail plate with the curved side, that is, so that the line of the edge and the tips of the scissors resemble parallel lines bent in one direction.
• Cut off the regrown area in small steps, and then file with a nail file.

Peculiarities of cutting nails on the hands with a clipper

Clipping nails with a clipper

• Disinfect the clipper and soak the hands beforehand in a warm water solution.
• The clipper is placed at an angle of 90º relative to the nail edge so that the cut is perfectly even.
• First, the overgrown area is cut off in small sections, and then the necessary edge line is leveled with a nail file.

How to choose a clipper and how to cut your nails with it – look at the video:

How to properly shorten nails in hardware manicure: step by step instructions

• We install a medium abrasive diamond nozzle and treat the cuticle and skin around the entire perimeter of the nail plate.
• Shape the nail with a cylindrical or trapezoidal cutter.

Leave 2 mm of plate above the fingertips.

• When polishing the nail plates, it is important not to press hard with the nozzle on the surface of the nail and not to linger on one part of it for a long time.
• We clean the plate from dust with a small brush or with oil, which we then erase. If desired, varnish.

Special cases of cutting nails

How convenient it is to cut nails with your non-working hand

Trimming nails on the right hand

To cut the nail edge on the right hand, you need to make an effort, because you need to achieve the perfect identical shape of the plates simultaneously on both hands. To do this, it is most convenient to use nipser . With small cuts we move along the edge of the nail, and then we clean the corners from the cuts with a nail file.

Those who find it unacceptable to do this procedure with their non-working hand can use special left-handed scissors.

Features of cutting nails for men

Most often, an independent manicure for every man is cutting nails with a nail clipper. If the procedure is performed by a master, then for men the shape of the extreme nail is not selected, it is created along the contour of the fingertip.

How to cut children’s nails correctly

• To cut children’s nails, use special scissors with rounded edges, which are quite difficult to injure.

Cut children’s nails with special scissors

• Try to negotiate with your child about cutting nails, distract him , turn on a cartoon for him, promise a reward and after the haircut be sure to praise him for good behavior.
• Do it better when the baby is full and nothing bothers him. It is possible for him to cut his nails and 10-20 minutes after the bath , when the nails will be completely soft and you will not be able to miss the ingrowing nail. The handle, which you will cut second, is recommended to be swaddled to avoid cuts when moving it.

  If you can’t persuade the child, you can safely trim the nails during sleep . Wait 20-40 minutes after the child falls asleep, and proceed, at this time the baby is sleeping soundly enough and your touch will not be able to wake him up.

Care must be taken when cutting a child’s nails

• Long nails are dangerous because children can scratch themselves with them and quite seriously. On the hands, the nails are cut after 5 days, on the legs – after 10.
• It is better to trim children’s nails in the shape of a crescent , moving the fingertip away so as not to inadvertently injure it with scissors.

How to trim an ingrown toenail

To do this, you will need to steam your finger in warm water containing furacilin or chlorhexidine. Then wipe the leg or arm dry and apply antiseptic ointment , for example Levomekol, pry off the ingrown edge of the nail with a disinfected wooden stick or a nail file, try to straighten it , and then – file .

Next, you can cut off the entire excess edge towards the center. The nail plate “wants” to grow together and will stretch towards the center, so the skin will gradually be released. The treated area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe nail can be smeared with brilliant green, and a piece of sterile bandage can be placed under the nail itself.

If the ingrown nail is already inflamed, then the recommendations in this video will help you cut it: to the ingrown nail. Therefore, this event must be approached very scrupulously and prepared in advance.

How to cut the nails of a newborn baby?

When mothers first see their baby, they look at him – what soft hair, blue eyes, funny wrinkles … and terribly long nails. Yes, babies are usually born with nails long enough for a good French manicure. Naturally, the question immediately arises of how to cut the nails of a newborn.

Children’s manicure set

Let’s start with the main thing – babies will have to cut their nails often. Like the baby himself, they grow rapidly. And since the movements of the child are not yet coordinated, he can scratch himself. It is undesirable to allow this, because the skin is very sensitive.

You can ask about anti-scratch gloves. To this we will answer that modern pediatricians are skeptical about such a wardrobe item. In their opinion, such mittens interfere with the proper development of fine motor skills and the knowledge of the child’s own body.

Children’s manicure set includes three items – tweezers, scissors and nail file. Nippers are needed to cut the main length, and scissors are needed to trim the corners. The nail file completes the care procedure and trims the roughness.

It is important to buy a children’s set, items from an adult will not work. Children’s tweezers usually have a limiter so as not to “bite off” too much, but scissors in a set with rounded edges.

Preparing for the process

We emphasize once again that each child should have their own nail clippers. They should be safe and belong only to him alone. The rest of the family members cannot use them – particles of dirt and bacteria, fungus remain on the blades. At the same time, the baby’s immune system is still weak and unstable to resist such infections.

Check blades – they must be sharp. Otherwise, you will not cut the nail, but simply break it off. Treat items with an alcohol solution or hydrogen peroxide, disposable alcohol wipes are also suitable.

Wash your hands with soap and water and wipe your baby’s hands with a damp cloth. Mothers know that it is better to trim the child’s nails after bathing. We do not recommend doing this with newborns – their skin and nails are still too thin, when steaming, you now run the risk of cutting off the excess.

Procedure

Relax, breathe in and out. Smile. Sing your favorite song to the baby. The main thing is that there is no panic, otherwise the son or daughter will also instantly feel it. We will now tell you in detail how to cut your nails correctly. You will only have to repeat it.

• Place the baby on the tummy – in this position, he is now less mobile and will interfere with your actions less.
• Grab your baby firmly by the hand or by the heel. If there is a dad at home, entrust it to him – let him also join the process.
• Use wire cutters to cut the main length in a straight line. At the same time, you should not cut it “to the meat”, leave about 1 mm in length – otherwise you will hurt the baby.
• Cut off the remaining corners with scissors.

File the irregularities with a nail file. Check the cut with a cotton pad – it is necessary that the sharp edges do not cling to the fibers. At the same time, it is not worth using only a file without using scissors and nippers – still thin marigolds will exfoliate and crack over time.

When cutting nails, the correct grip of a child’s finger is important – such as in the photo, between the thumb and forefinger of an adult.

Tips and life hacks for parents

Make your newborn’s nails oval on the handles and rectangular on the legs. This form will minimize the risk of ingrown nails.

If this problem does occur, never try to remove the ingrown toenail yourself. This is the task of pediatric surgeons.