What causes ingrown toenails. How can you prevent them at home. When should you seek medical treatment for an ingrown toenail. What are the surgical options for severe cases.

Understanding Ingrown Toenails: Causes and Risk Factors

Ingrown toenails occur when the edges or corners of your nails grow into the skin next to the nail. This condition most commonly affects the big toe and can lead to pain, swelling, and infection if left untreated. But what causes this uncomfortable problem?

• Improper nail cutting technique
• Irregular or curved toenails
• Tight footwear
• Toenail injuries
• Poor posture
• Inadequate foot hygiene
• Genetic predisposition

Certain groups may be more susceptible to developing ingrown toenails. These include people with sweaty feet, such as teenagers, and older adults whose toenails have thickened with age. Additionally, individuals who engage in activities that put repeated pressure on the toes, like ballet, football, kickboxing, and soccer, may face an increased risk.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails typically progress through stages, with symptoms worsening over time. Identifying these signs early can help prevent complications and guide appropriate treatment.

Early-Stage Symptoms

• Tender, swollen, or hardened skin next to the nail
• Pain when pressure is applied to the toe
• Fluid buildup around the toe

Advanced Symptoms and Signs of Infection

• Red, swollen skin
• Increased pain
• Bleeding
• Oozing pus
• Overgrowth of skin around the toe

Can an ingrown toenail resolve on its own? While minor cases may improve with proper care, most ingrown toenails require some form of intervention to prevent worsening symptoms and potential complications.

Diagnosing Ingrown Toenails: When to See a Doctor

In most cases, a healthcare provider can diagnose an ingrown toenail through a simple physical examination. However, if infection is suspected or the nail has grown deep into the skin, additional diagnostic measures may be necessary.

When should you seek medical attention for an ingrown toenail? Consider consulting a doctor if:

• The toenail has pierced the skin
• There are signs of infection (warmth, pus, redness, swelling)
• Home treatments have not improved symptoms after a few weeks
• You have diabetes or poor circulation, which can increase the risk of complications

In some cases, your doctor may recommend an X-ray to determine the extent of the ingrown nail or to check for underlying bone abnormalities that could be contributing to the problem.

Effective Home Remedies for Ingrown Toenails

For mild cases of ingrown toenails without signs of infection, several home treatments can provide relief and promote healing.

1. Warm water soaks: Immerse your feet in warm water for 15-20 minutes, 3-4 times daily. This softens the skin and reduces inflammation.
2. Cotton ball technique: Gently push the skin away from the nail edge using a cotton ball soaked in olive oil.
3. Over-the-counter pain relief: Use acetaminophen (Tylenol) to manage discomfort.
4. Topical antibiotics: Apply an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment like Neosporin to prevent infection.
5. Proper footwear: Wear shoes that allow ample room for your toes to prevent further irritation.

How long should you try home remedies before seeking professional help? If symptoms persist or worsen after a few days to a few weeks of consistent home treatment, it’s time to consult a healthcare provider.

Professional Treatment Options for Ingrown Toenails

When home remedies prove ineffective or an infection develops, medical intervention may be necessary. Healthcare providers can offer various treatments depending on the severity of the ingrown toenail.

Conservative Treatments

• Lifting the nail: The doctor may carefully lift the ingrown edge of the nail and place cotton or a splint underneath to encourage proper growth.
• Taping: Special taping techniques can help pull the skin away from the nail edge.
• Prescription medications: Oral or topical antibiotics may be prescribed to treat or prevent infection.

Surgical Interventions

For recurring or severe cases, surgical treatment may be recommended. The two main surgical approaches are:

1. Partial nail removal: Only the portion of the nail growing into the skin is removed. This procedure is highly effective, with a 98% success rate in preventing future ingrown toenails.
2. Complete nail removal: In rare cases, the entire nail may need to be removed. This is typically reserved for severe, recurring cases or when there’s significant nail deformity.

Both procedures are typically performed under local anesthesia, allowing for a quick recovery and minimal discomfort.

Preventing Ingrown Toenails: Essential Tips and Techniques

While treating ingrown toenails is important, prevention is always preferable. By adopting proper foot care habits, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing this painful condition.

Proper Nail Trimming Technique

How should you cut your toenails to prevent ingrown nails? Follow these steps:

1. Cut straight across: Avoid rounding the corners of your nails.
2. Use proper tools: Opt for clean, sharp nail clippers or scissors designed for toenails.
3. Trim to moderate length: Keep nails even with the tips of your toes, neither too short nor too long.
4. File rough edges: Smooth any sharp corners with a nail file.

Footwear Considerations

• Choose shoes with adequate toe room
• Avoid high heels and pointy-toed shoes that compress the toes
• Wear moisture-wicking socks to keep feet dry

Foot Hygiene

• Wash feet daily with soap and water
• Dry thoroughly, especially between the toes
• Change socks regularly, especially if feet tend to sweat

By implementing these preventive measures, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing ingrown toenails and maintain overall foot health.

Special Considerations for At-Risk Populations

Certain groups may need to take extra precautions to prevent ingrown toenails or seek prompt treatment if they occur.

Diabetics and Those with Poor Circulation

Why is foot care especially crucial for people with diabetes? Diabetes can lead to reduced sensation in the feet, making it harder to detect early signs of ingrown toenails. Additionally, poor circulation can slow healing and increase the risk of infection.

• Inspect feet daily for any changes or signs of injury
• Seek professional help for any foot-related issues, no matter how minor they may seem
• Maintain good blood sugar control to support overall foot health

Athletes and Active Individuals

Those who engage in high-impact sports or activities that put stress on the feet should take additional precautions:

• Wear properly fitted athletic shoes with adequate toe room
• Replace shoes regularly to ensure proper support
• Use protective taping or padding if prone to toe injuries
• Practice good foot hygiene, especially after intense workouts

Elderly Individuals

As toenails thicken with age, older adults may face an increased risk of ingrown toenails. They should:

• Seek assistance with nail care if unable to reach or see their toes easily
• Use proper lighting and magnification tools when trimming nails
• Consider regular visits to a podiatrist for professional nail care

By tailoring preventive measures to individual risk factors and lifestyle needs, even those at higher risk can effectively manage and prevent ingrown toenails.

When to Seek Emergency Care for Ingrown Toenails

While most ingrown toenails can be managed at home or through routine medical care, certain situations warrant immediate medical attention. Recognizing these signs can help prevent serious complications.

When should you seek emergency care for an ingrown toenail? Consider the following scenarios:

• Severe pain that interferes with walking or daily activities
• Signs of a spreading infection, such as red streaks extending from the toe
• Fever or chills, which may indicate a systemic infection
• Significant swelling, redness, or warmth around the affected toe
• Pus or foul-smelling discharge from the nail area

For individuals with diabetes or compromised immune systems, any signs of infection should be treated as a medical emergency due to the increased risk of complications.

What to Expect in Emergency Care

If you seek emergency treatment for an ingrown toenail, healthcare providers may:

1. Assess the extent of the infection
2. Perform a partial nail removal if necessary
3. Prescribe oral antibiotics for systemic infections
4. Provide pain management
5. Offer guidance on follow-up care and prevention

Remember, prompt attention to severe symptoms can prevent more serious foot health issues and ensure a faster recovery.

Long-Term Management and Care for Chronic Ingrown Toenails

For some individuals, ingrown toenails may be a recurring problem. Developing a long-term management strategy can help reduce the frequency and severity of episodes.

Identifying Underlying Causes

Chronic ingrown toenails often have underlying causes that need to be addressed. These may include:

• Genetic factors affecting nail shape
• Structural abnormalities of the foot or toes
• Chronic nail trauma from sports or occupational activities
• Nail diseases or fungal infections

Working with a podiatrist or dermatologist can help identify and address these root causes.

Ongoing Preventive Measures

How can you manage chronic ingrown toenails effectively? Consider these long-term strategies:

1. Regular professional nail care: Schedule routine visits with a podiatrist for expert nail trimming and assessment.
2. Custom orthotics: These can help redistribute pressure on the toes and prevent nail trauma.
3. Nail bracing: Special braces can be applied to guide nail growth and prevent ingrowth.
4. Lifestyle modifications: Adjust footwear choices and activity levels as recommended by healthcare providers.
5. Nutritional support: Ensure adequate intake of nutrients that support nail health, such as biotin and zinc.

Monitoring and Self-Care

Developing a consistent self-care routine is crucial for managing chronic ingrown toenails:

• Perform daily foot inspections
• Practice proper nail trimming techniques
• Use moisturizing creams to keep the skin around nails soft and pliable
• Wear appropriate footwear and socks
• Address any signs of recurrence promptly

By combining professional care with diligent self-management, individuals prone to ingrown toenails can significantly improve their foot health and quality of life.

Ingrown Toenails: Causes, Symptoms, and Diagnosis

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Ingrown toenails occur when the edges or corners of your nails grow into the skin next to the nail. Your big toe is most likely to get an ingrown toenail.

If a toenail grows back into the skin around the nail bed, it’s known as an ingrown toenail. These can be painful and can become infected.

You can treat ingrown toenails at home. However, they can cause complications that might require medical treatment. Your risk of complications is higher if you have diabetes or other conditions that cause poor circulation.

Ingrown toenails occur in both men and women. According to the National Health Services (NHS), ingrown toenails may be more common in people with sweaty feet, such as teenagers. Older people may also be at higher risk because toenails thicken with age.

Many things can cause an ingrown toenail, including:

• cutting toenails incorrectly (Cut straight across, since angling the sides of the nail can encourage the nail to grow into the skin.)
• irregular, curved toenails
• footwear that places a lot of pressure on the big toes, such as socks and stockings that are too tight or shoes that are too tight, narrow, or flat for your feet
• toenail injury, including stubbing your toe, dropping something heavy on your foot, or kicking a ball repeatedly
• poor posture
• improper foot hygiene, such as not keeping your feet clean or dry
• genetic predisposition

Using your feet extensively during athletic activities can make you especially prone to getting ingrown toenails. Activities in which you repeatedly kick an object or put pressure on your feet for long periods of time can cause toenail damage and increase your risk of ingrown toenails. These activities include:

• ballet
• football
• kickboxing
• soccer

Ingrown toenails can be painful, and they usually worsen in stages.

Early-stage symptoms include:

• skin next to the nail becoming tender, swollen, or hard
• pain when pressure is placed on the toe
• fluid building up around the toe

If your toe becomes infected, symptoms may include:

• red, swollen skin
• pain
• bleeding
• oozing pus
• overgrowth of skin around the toe

Treat your ingrown toenail as soon as possible to avoid worsening symptoms.

Your doctor will most likely be able to diagnose your toe with a physical exam. If your toe seems infected, you might need an X-ray to show how deep the nail has grown into the skin. An X-ray can also reveal if your ingrown nail was caused by injury.

If you need help finding a primary care doctor or gastroenterologist, you can browse doctors in your area through the Healthline FindCare tool.

Ingrown toenails that aren’t infected can normally be treated at home. However, if your toenail has pierced the skin, or there is any sign of infection, seek medical treatment. Signs of infection include:

• warmth
• pus
• redness and swelling

Home treatment

To treat your ingrown toenail at home, try:

• soaking your feet in warm water for about 15 to 20 minutes three to four times per day (At other times, your shoes and feet should be kept dry.)
• pushing skin away from the toenail edge with a cotton ball soaked in olive oil
• using over-the-counter medicines, like acetaminophen (Tylenol), for the pain
• applying a topical antibiotic, such as polymyxin and neomycin (both present in Neosporin) or a steroid cream, to prevent infection

Try home treatments for a few days to a few weeks. If the pain worsens or you find it difficult to walk or perform other activities because of the nail, see your doctor.

If the toenail does not respond to home treatments or an infection occurs, you may need surgery. In cases of infection, stop all home treatments and see your doctor.

Surgical treatment

There are different types of surgical treatments for ingrown toenails. Partial nail removal only involves removing the piece of nail that is digging into your skin. Your doctor numbs your toe and then narrows the toenail. According to the NHS, partial nail removal is 98 percent effective for preventing future ingrown toenails.

During a partial nail removal, the sides of the nail are cut away so that the edges are completely straight. A piece of cotton is placed under the remaining portion of the nail to keep the ingrown toenail from recurring. Your doctor may also treat your toe with a compound called phenol, which keeps the nail from growing back.

Total nail removal may be used if your ingrown nail is caused by thickening. Your doctor will give you a local pain injection and then remove the entire nail in a procedure called a matrixectomy.

After surgery

After surgery, your doctor will send you home with your toe bandaged. You will probably need to keep your foot raised for the next one to two days and wear special footwear to allow your toe to heal properly.

Avoid movement as much as possible. Your bandage is usually removed two days after surgery. Your doctor will advise you to wear open-toe shoes and to do daily salt water soaks until your toe heals. You will also be prescribed pain relief medication and antibiotics to prevent infection.

Your toenail will likely grow back a few months after a partial nail removal surgery. If the entire nail is removed down to the base (the nail matrix under your skin), a toenail can take over a year to grow back.

If left untreated, an ingrown toenail infection can cause an infection in the bone in your toe. A toenail infection can also lead to foot ulcers, or open sores, and a loss of blood flow to the infected area. Tissue decay and tissue death at the site of infection are possible.

A foot infection can be more serious if you have diabetes. Even a small cut, scrape, or ingrown toenail may quickly become infected due to the lack of blood flow and nerve sensitivity. See your doctor right away if you have diabetes and are concerned about an ingrown toenail infection.

If you have a genetic predisposition to ingrown toenails, they may keep coming back or appear on multiple toes at once. Your quality of life may be affected by pain, infections, and other painful foot issues that require multiple treatments or surgeries. In this case, your doctor may recommend a partial or full matrixectomy to remove the toenails causing chronic pain. Read more about foot care and diabetes.

Ingrown toenails can be prevented by making several lifestyle changes:

• Trim your toenails straight across and make sure that the edges do not curve in.
• Avoid cutting toenails too short.
• Wear proper fitting shoes, socks, and tights.
• Wear steel-toe boots if you work in hazardous conditions.
• If your toenails are abnormally curved or thick, surgery may be necessary to prevent ingrown nails.

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Answers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

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Why Do We Have Nails? The Important Roles They Play

Why Do We Have Nails? The Important Roles They Play

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Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D. O. — By Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA on April 22, 2020

Paws and claws: Many experts believe fingernails and toenails have evolutionary similarities to these structures.

Since fingernails must have more of a purpose than for creating cool manicure styles, this article will take a look at why we have fingernails and toenails — and the clues they give us about overall health.

According to an anthropology professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, fingernails are present in all primates, including humans, monkeys, and apes, to support our fingertips.

When taking proportions into account, our fingertips are wider on average than those of most other primates.

Fingernails play several important roles in the body that may provide a sign as to why we have them. These include:

• Strengthening. The hard, outer covering on the tips of the fingernails makes the fingertips one of the strongest parts of the hand. This makes performing everyday tasks, including gripping, less risky. The fingernails have many small blood vessels to supply them, and can maintain their blood flow even when you’re gripping something very tightly.
• Protection. Having a fingernail covering can prevent viruses and bacteria from entering the body. If a person’s nail bed is disrupted, they may be more at risk for nail infections.
• Enhancing fine motor movements. The fingernails enhance your ability to scratch and separate, such as pages in a book or hairs on your head. A person can also use their fingernails to pick up items.
• Sensation. While you may not think of the nails as being as sensitive as your fingertips, there’s an intricate network of nerves underneath the nail.

While a person doesn’t have to have fingernails to survive, they can certainly help with many tasks.

Can you imagine if your fingertips tried to roll backward when you held something? The strength and existence of fingernails helps keep this from happening (thank goodness!).

The main function of toenails is likely for protection, compared to enhancing grip or the fine motor functions the fingernails have.

The tops of the toes are vulnerable to injury and, as we’ve all learned the hard way, stubbing. By having a protective nail on top of the toe, the toes are less vulnerable to injury and infections.

Some slight differences in purpose are reflected in rates of nail growth. Fingernails grow around twice as fast as toenails, according to a small 2010 study.

This study of 22 healthy American young adults found that fingernails grow an average of 3.47 millimeters (mm) a month, while toenails grow an average of 1.62 mm a month.

The big toenail grows the fastest on the feet, while the pinkie fingernail is the slowest growing of the fingernails.

Fingernails have greater blood flow, in part because they’re closer to your heart. The legs and feet are also subject to greater concerns related to blood flow, such as deep vein thrombosis or other peripheral vascular diseases. This can affect toenail growth and toenail function.

Fingernails comprise three layers of tissue called keratin. Keratin is a tissue type that has amino acid proteins. Keratin is naturally present in your hair and nails. It’s also a component found in other animals, including horse hooves.

The way keratin cells link to form together can influence the consistency and feel of the fingernails. For example, the nail layers are made of soft, moderately hard, and hard keratin. These all come together to create the protective shield you know as your fingernails.

While the keratin cells are no longer living (which is why you can trim your fingernails and toenails), they represent formerly living cells that needed nutrients and proteins to survive.

When you consider this, it’s easy to see how deformities in the nails can indicate potential underlying problems, such as nutritional deficiencies. (More about this in the next section.)

Fingernails may be potential indicators of underlying medical conditions. In fact, doctors frequently assess fingernails to help diagnose different medical conditions.

Common nail disorders that may indicate underlying health conditions include the following:

• Clubbing. Clubbing causes an extreme curve and rounding appearance to the fingernails. This could indicate low oxygen levels, including chronic lung disorders.
• Concavity. Also known as koilonychia, concavity occurs when the nails bend up at the sides, making a U shape instead of a traditional C shape. This can occur in people who have a chronic iron deficiency.
• Pincer. Pincer nails are very rounded, almost as if the nail side edges are trying to touch. Aging is a common cause as is taking certain medications, such as beta-blockers.
• Pitting. Pitting causes multiple, shallow depressions in the nail area. This symptom can be the result of conditions such as alopecia areata or psoriasis.
• Horizontal lines. The fingernails naturally have up-and-down lines. When lines appear side-to-side and have a whitish, pale tone to the nail plate, doctors call these Muehrcke’s lines. People who have low albumin levels, an essential protein that helps maintain fluid balance and transport substances in the body, may have these lines.
• Black line or band. While this can be a normal variation to some people’s nails, a new, longitudinal light to dark brown band on the nail could indicate subungual melanoma. This is a type of melanoma that occurs in the fingernail and extends deeper below. It can cause additional symptoms, such as bleeding, cracking, and brittleness.

Fingernails and toenails are present in primates — including humans.

Ideally, your nails are pink at the nail beds, slightly rounded, with small, shallow vertical lines. If you have variations of this standard appearance that concern you, talk to your doctor.

Last medically reviewed on April 22, 2020

How we reviewed this article:

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

• Curiosities: Why do we have fingernails? (2007).
  news.wisc.edu/curiosities-why-do-we-have-fingernails/
• Farren L, et al. (2004). The fracture properties and mechanical design of human fingernails. DOI:
  10.1242/jeb.00814
• Johnson C, et al. (2020). Anatomy, shoulder and upper limb, nails.
  ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534769/
• Lipner SR, et al. (2016). Evaluation of nail lines: Color and shape hold clues. DOI:
  10.3949/ccjm.83a.14187
• Mayo Clinic Staff. (2019). Fingernails: Possible problems.
  mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/multimedia/nails/sls-20076131?s=1
• Moman RN, et al. (2020). Physiology, albumin.
  ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459198/
• Yaemsiri S, et al. (2010). Growth rate of human fingernails and toenail in healthy American young adults. DOI:
  10.1111/j.1468-3083.2009.03426.
• Yost JM. (2017). Diagnosis and management of common nail disorders.
  calderm.org/system/files/evt_doc/diagnosis_and_management_of_common_nail_disorders_-_yost.pdf

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Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D.O. — By Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA on April 22, 2020

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The better to cut your nails. How to cut nails so that they do not grow in? Ingrown toenail: problems of dealing with it

Once a week, each of us has to do such a thing as cutting nails. During this procedure, we try to get rid of long nails that interfere with us. At the same time, few people think about how to properly cut their nails, not considering it important. However, improper cutting of nails can lead to a deterioration in the condition of the nail plates, the skin around the nails, and even injury.

How to properly cut your fingernails.

Women’s hands require special care. However, men must also cut their fingernails, following certain rules.

♦
If the nails were covered with varnish, then before cutting the nails it is necessary to remove it. Hands should be washed well with soap, and then it is advisable to make a warm bath with herbs for them to soften the nail plates. This procedure should definitely be done by the elderly, whose nail plates have coarsened and thickened.

♦
In addition, you need to prepare a tool: nail scissors with straight ends or tweezers. The tool must be sharp and of high quality so that its use does not lead to. The tool must be treated with alcohol.

♦
Nails should not be cut very short, as this leads to the risk of infection of the skin around the nails. In addition, this method of cutting nails leads to the fact that the tips of the fingers expand over time and acquire a rougher shape. It is necessary to cut the nails so that the length of the nail plate is 0.5-1 mm.

♦
Nails can be given any shape, but the best is the shape that follows the contour of the fingers. The nail plates must be rounded to prevent the nail from growing into the skin.

♦
To give the nail a neat and as even shape as possible, it is necessary to work with the tips of the scissors, moving a little from the edge of the nail bed to the center. You can not cut the entire nail with one closing of the blades, as this leads to damage and subsequent delamination of the nail. If the skin is close to the nail, then it is better to use tweezers so as not to injure the skin with the sharp edges of the scissors.

♦
At the end of the procedure, the nails should be treated with a nail file. However, it is necessary to move only in one direction: from the edge of the nail to the middle.

How to cut your toenails.

Toenails are more prone to ingrown toenails, so special care must be taken when trimming them. The risk of ingrown toenails is increased by trauma to the toe, fungal infections, or wearing uncomfortable shoes.

If the nails on the hands are cut with a rounding, then on the legs they must be cut evenly. With constant cutting of the edges of the nail plates, the direction of nail growth changes and the risk of their ingrowth into the skin increases. When cutting nails, it should be borne in mind that you can not cut them too deep or from the side.

Before the nail trimming procedure, it is advisable to do another procedure – a bath with the addition of soda, liquid soap, sea salt, lemon juice, medicinal herbs. After that, the legs should be wiped dry and cut off the overgrown part of the nail. In this case, you need to move a little from one edge to the other. Sharp corners must be filed with a nail file.

How to properly trim an ingrown toenail.

Should be trimmed as early as possible to avoid severe ingrowth that can only be removed with surgery. To remove an ingrown nail you need:

Make a warm bath with a solution of chlorhexidine or furacilin and hold your feet in it for about 10 minutes. During this time, the nails will become softer, the dirt will be washed away, and the wound will be disinfected;

An antimicrobial ointment, such as Levomikol, should be applied to the inflamed area of ​​the skin;

With a wooden stick or a sharpened nail file treated with alcohol, carefully pry off the tip of the ingrown nail and remove it to the surface. After that, it can be slightly trimmed and filed;

After that, it is necessary to deal with the prevention of ingrown toenails. To do this, slightly cut the edge of the nail vertically. The nail plate will tend to grow together, so it will begin to shrink towards the middle, freeing the skin;

The inflamed area must be treated until it heals. It is advisable to protect the wound with a sterile bandage or bactericidal patch.

Cutting off an ingrown nail completely is not worth it, because this will accelerate its ingrowth in the future. The nail must be allowed to grow along with the corners so that it is higher than the area where it grows.

Believes that properly trimmed nails are an important condition for the health and beauty of the hands.

If the toenails are cut incorrectly, this can not only damage the nail plate, but also cause an ingrown nail, lead to cuts and other microtraumas, which often result in inflammation and suppuration.
Getting rid of such ailments is not easy: you have to spend a lot of time, effort and money. To prevent the development of such problems, it is very important to know how to cut your toenails correctly.

Toenails are usually much harder and stronger than fingernails, so they need to be steamed before being trimmed. To do this, lower your legs into a bowl of very warm water and keep it there for about fifteen minutes. If desired, you can prepare a bath with an infusion of chamomile or medicinal herbs that have a positive effect on the skin and heal it.

Before starting the procedure, or while the feet are being steamed, treat the instruments with which the pedicure will be performed with disinfectants. First of all, these are manicure scissors with rounded edges, tweezers and a nail file. If this is not done, if the skin is damaged during the procedure, it is possible to introduce an infection and subsequently treat the inflammation.

After steaming your legs, you need to wipe them dry with a towel, paying special attention to the toes and the space between them, after which you can proceed to the procedure. First, with the help of scissors or tweezers (whichever is more convenient), you need to get rid of dead skin that has formed on both sides of the nail. This must be done very carefully so as not to catch and accidentally cut off living skin. After that, you can proceed directly to the nail.

Before trimming a nail, it must be borne in mind that cutting it under the root is not allowed: this can damage the skin. Cut toenails in small straight steps, without rounding, repeating the curves of the natural shape of the nail plate. The remaining sharp corners must be corrected with a nail file.

Ingrown toenail

One of the problems that people often face is an ingrown toenail, when the nail plate grows into the side of the nail fold due to improper pedicure, fungal infection, tight shoes or other factors.

At first, the problem does not bother, but after a while the picture changes: there is severe pain, inflammation, swelling, redness, suppuration. The finger is deformed, increases in size, due to which the shoes become tight, interfere with walking.

Faced with a problem, it is necessary to keep in mind that the sooner treatment is started, the easier it is to resolve the issue, and in the first stages, the situation can be dealt with on your own. To do this, you need to make a foot bath by adding a tablet of furacilin per liter of water to the water (you can replace it with a tablespoon of salt or soda). Having steamed your legs well, you can try to carefully cut off the ingrown part of the nail.

In a more advanced case, if pus has appeared, it is necessary to treat the inflamed area with hydrogen peroxide, then lubricate the inflamed area with Levomekol or Synthymycin ointment, wrap it with polyethylene and go to bed. Then in the morning try to remove the ingrown nail from the skin.

To do this, it is good to steam your feet in very warm water. With a nail file with a pointed end or a wooden spatula, carefully pry off the ingrown tip, pull it out, and then cut or file it.

Naturally, before the procedure, you should not forget to treat the nail file or spatula with an antiseptic. Lubricate the treated part of the finger with iodine, brilliant green or apply ointment to prevent infection from entering the wound.

In an advanced case or if the problem could not be solved on its own (pus becomes larger, the finger bleeds), in order to get rid of an ingrown nail, you need to consult a doctor. One of the more effective, but also expensive means, is a laser that acts pointwise without harming the skin and nail plate. After processing the nail plate with it, the likelihood of relapse is minimal.

Nail cutting is a common activity. Few people think about how well he does it. This procedure affects the health of the nails and the condition of the skin around them.

How to cut your fingernails

Remove nail polish and wash your hands with soap and water before cutting your nails. After that, it is recommended to make a bath, this will soften the nail plates and make it easier to cut them, especially steaming will be useful for people of age.

Prepare the instrument, which can be straight-tipped nail scissors or tweezers. They must be of high quality and sharp, otherwise, after use, the nails will delaminate. To avoid infection, it is recommended to treat the tool with alcohol before work.

Try not to cut your nails short. This increases the risk of infection and can cause the tips of the fingers to expand and become rough over time. The minimum length of the nail plate should be 0.5-1 mm.

You can give your nails any shape, but keep in mind that the ideal is the one that follows the contour of your fingers. In any case, the nails on the hands must be rounded. If this is not done, the nail may ingrown into the skin.

To make the shape of the nail neat and even, cut it only with the tips of the scissors, moving in small steps – from the edge of the nail bed to the center. Do not try to cut the entire nail with one closing of the blades, its damage and delamination is then inevitable. Use tweezers for hard to reach places. File your nails after cutting. Do this in one direction, from the edge of the nail to the middle.

How to trim your toenails

Trimming your toenails requires attention, as they are prone to ingrown. This is facilitated by tight or uncomfortable shoes, fungal infections and finger injuries.

Unlike fingernails, toenails must be trimmed straight, avoiding curves. If the corners of the nail plates are constantly cut off, this can lead to a change in the trajectory of their growth and ingrowth into the skin. It is not recommended to cut them too deeply, and even more so from the side.

How to trim an ingrown toenail

If you have not managed to avoid an ingrown toenail, it is necessary to start treating it as soon as possible, preferably when the first symptoms appear.

1. Place your feet in a warm bath with a solution of chlorhexidine or furacilin for half an hour. This will disinfect the wound and remove dirt.
2. Apply an antimicrobial ointment, such as Levomikol, to the inflamed area.
3. Use a disinfected wooden stick or sharp file to pry off the edge of the ingrown nail, remove to the surface and file.
4. Slightly cut the edge of the nail vertically. The nail plate, trying to grow together, will begin to shrink towards the middle and release the skin.
5. Treat the inflamed area with brilliant green and try to place a small piece of sterile bandage under the nail.

It would seem that there is nothing easier than cutting toenails. And that’s what most people think. Unfortunately, it’s actually not as easy as it seems. Incorrect actions often lead to disastrous and very unpleasant results, ingrown nails appear, the nail plate is deformed, and the process of inflammation begins on the fingers.

Neat, beautifully trimmed toenails are not only beautiful, but also meet all hygiene requirements.
Because a large number of harmful microbes usually begin to collect under long nails.

To carry out such a process yourself and correctly, you must follow the recommendations and tips below.

Features

When carrying out this procedure, it is necessary to prepare special manicure accessories in advance, as well as a towel and a container of warm water.

• First, you should prepare for the process, that is, disinfect all accessories, doing this carefully. It is best to use medical alcohol. It is necessary to do this in order not to bring any infection and protect your legs from the appearance of a fungus. Tweezers or scissors that have not been disinfected may well cause inflammation and fungus. It is best when the manicure set is individual, and no one except you uses it anymore.
• Nails on the feet are many times thicker than on the fingers. Therefore, it is more difficult for an elderly person to cut them. Therefore, it is worth steaming them before processing. To do this, the legs are dipped in hot water, where a soap solution has already been added. When the legs are affected by a fungus, nettle or string decoctions can be added to the steaming water. Healing herbs magically heal existing wounds, and most importantly, they direct their forces to fight inflammatory foci.

The ideal pedicure is not only beautifully trimmed nails, but also cleaned feet, from which dead skin is removed in the process. Eliminate excess layering with pumice. Immediately after this, you need to dry your feet, and then remove the cuticle from the nails. Here you need to be very careful and careful – when cutting off dead skin, you can not touch the living tissue so as not to damage it.

• After the work done, you can start cutting. You can do this using nail scissors, it will be more convenient for someone to work with wire cutters. If possible, cut the nail plates in a straight line. It happens that in some people the shape of the nails simply does not allow such a cut. In this case, it is necessary to cut the nail right along the edge, according to its natural shape. Under the root is not cut, leave about 1 mm. It is also impossible to cut roughly into the edges of the nail, so as not to lead to ingrowth.

• When finished trimming, carefully file the edges with a nail file. Smooth nails will not spoil socks or tights.
• The final step is to lubricate the feet with nails cream. It is better to choose a fat cream for this, so that the legs become smooth, with soft skin.

At the end of all the above steps, there should be no ingrowth. But for those with whom such a disaster has already happened, you need to immediately deal with the problem, begin to act immediately.

Treatment of Ingrown Toenails

Almost everyone is aware of ingrown nails, knows what happens and how painful and unpleasant it is. With improper cutting, the nail plates begin to grow directly into the skin, all this causes discomfort and pain. When the nail is cut directly into the skin of the finger and if the skin is damaged by harmful microbes, the inflammatory process will begin. Often, the finger swells and may become swollen and red. It is very unpleasant to experience painful sensations, moreover, accompanied by suppuration.

In this case, it will become impossible to wear shoes, and even just walk.
By the way, ingrown nails begin not only because of improper trimming. Tight, uncomfortable shoes can also affect the onset of ingrowth of the nail plate into the skin of the toes. The nail could be injured or some kind of fungal infection was introduced, which, in turn, deformed it.

It is possible to cure an ingrown nail on your own and get rid of such unpleasant sensations. And measures, by the way, need to be taken as soon as possible. First, the leg, along with the sore toe, must be soaked in water, adding an antiseptic to the bath. You can grind the tablets “Furacilin”, “Chlorophyllipt”, “Tetracycline”. The leg should be steamed in hot water and wait until the skin becomes pliable, soft.

Next, try to pry off the ingrown nail with a blunt spatula, and then carefully cut off this nail plate.
When the nail does not give in, and it is simply impossible to cut it, a compress is made with Levomekol to soften the thick specimen. The nail is abundantly lubricated with ointment, on top it is covered with a film, tracing paper. The bandage is not used so that its material does not absorb the ointment. They wrap their fingers and go to bed. In the morning, it is much easier to pry off an ingrown nail plate, it will become much softer together with the skin, and the finger will not hurt so much.

In case of severe suppuration and inability to get rid of ingrown nails on your own, you need to urgently go to the surgeon. He removes ingrown nails very quickly, relieving martyrs from this problem.

By the way, after a mini-surgery, everything can happen again, so you should always cut your hair carefully, it is better not to cut it too close to the skin.

During pregnancy, it can be difficult for expectant mothers to cut their toenails on their own, you need to go to the salon and use the services of a professional master who will definitely do a high-quality pedicure, and then also give a pleasant foot massage. Pregnant women will definitely appreciate it.

Trimming a child’s nails

Trimming the nails of young children is considered an important problem. Most parents just don’t know how to do it. After all, babies are constantly on the move. How to make the child sit upright without twitching and at the same time not touch the skin.

• There are special individual scissors for cutting children’s nails. In particular, it refers to toenails. You need to trim in a well-lit room, so as not to touch the skin in any case.
• The procedure is carried out immediately after the bath, when the nails are the most supple and soft.
• It is necessary to fix the baby’s leg so that he cannot pull it at a dangerous moment. One hand firmly holds the leg, the second we begin to cut the nails.

Nail trimming

Healthy, beautiful and well-groomed nails… Who doesn’t dream about them? And who wouldn’t want to show off such a perfect manicure. After all, it is the hands that can very often give away what we are doing and how careful we are
. However, today we will not tell you about other manicure manipulations – we will invite you to talk about how to cut your nails and how to care for them
.

Do you think that nails can be cut how and with what you have to, and they do not need special care? Then, what can you say to the fact that very often it is not the correct trimming of the nails that leads to problems when the nails begin to exfoliate or grow in
? In order to avoid all this, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with our publication . ..

Nail cutting is an important procedure

they look neat and tidy. Agree, unevenly regrown nails with a dirty “rim” are unlikely to be conducive to shaking hands with their owner. Well, besides the fact that it is also not aesthetically pleasing, the dirty environment under the nails is a great place for the accumulation of microorganisms and bacteria that can cause us to feel unwell. Therefore, cutting your nails regularly is a must
. True, this must be done correctly, since cutting nails has a great influence on the condition of not only the nail plates themselves, but also on the condition of the skin around our nails.

Preparing nails for cutting

So, what is the right way to cut your fingernails? First of all, you need to prepare your hands for such a procedure. To do this, remove the varnish from the surface of the nails, if you paint your nails, and wash your hands well with. After such an “introduction”, you can make a hot hand bath to soften the nail plates themselves. This will greatly facilitate the procedure for cutting nails, and will especially help those whose nails are hard and difficult to scissors.

How to cut nails

Use special nail scissors for cutting, the tips of which are either straight or in the form of tweezers. Scissors should be sharp enough and of high quality, because if they are soft, then you will not be able to cut your nails, you will only deform the nail plates, which will later cause them to delaminate. In order to avoid possible injury and infection during the cutting of nails, it is recommended to wipe the surface of the scissors with alcohol.

How to cut your fingernails

Don’t cut your nails too short. This is a big mistake. Thus, you increase the risk of infection and contribute to the deformity of the pads of the fingers, which over time can deform, expand and become rough. Therefore, remember that the minimum length of the nail plate should not be less than 0.5-1 mm.

While trimming your nails, you can shape your nails any way you like, however experts say that the ideal shape is the one that follows the contour of your fingers
. So, fashion is fashion, but do not forget about individual features. Well, so that nail plates do not grow into the skin, do not cause you pain and discomfort – round off their tips.

In order to make the shape of the nail as even and accurate as possible, cut the nail itself with the tips of the scissors, trying not to cut off part of the nail plate in one step, but moving in small “steps” from the edge of the nail bed to its center. If you neglect this recommendation, and, trying to save time, cut your nails in one fell swoop, then the problem of delamination of the nail plate in the future will be guaranteed to you. In hard to reach places, or where the nail is too hard, you can use special nail clippers.

After the nails are trimmed, correct any irregularities with a special nail file to give them a perfect shape. However, it is necessary to process the nail plate with a nail file in only one direction – from the edge of the nail to its middle.

How to cut toenails

How to cut toenails

Trimming toenails is no less important procedure than cutting fingernails. And, although others pay less attention to toenails, especially in winter, spring and autumn, when we walk in closed shoes, this does not mean at all that we should forget about toenails. They also need to be trimmed regularly and ensure that the nails do not grow into soft tissues. For toenails, this is a very common problem, which, by the way, is promoted by tight shoes, toe injuries, and.

The technique for cutting toenails is different from that for cutting fingernails. Nails here must be trimmed evenly, trying to avoid rounding. If you neglect this advice and constantly cut off the corners of the nail plates, then in the future their growth trajectory may change, and they may begin to grow into the skin. You should also not cut your nails too deeply, especially in the side zone.

To soften your toenails, it is recommended to soak your nails in a warm bath to which you add some liquid soap, sea salt, and herbs, if available. After such a bath, when the skin of the legs is steamed out and the nails become soft, wipe them dry with a towel, and proceed directly to cutting the nails, from one edge to the other with small progressive movements. The corners of the nails can be processed with a nail file.

How to trim an ingrown toenail

Ingrown toenail

If you still have not managed to avoid such an unpleasant problem as an ingrown toenail, it is recommended to start fighting it as soon as possible. Therefore, already at the appearance of the first symptoms, proceed to eliminate the ingrown nail. To do this, similarly to the previous version of cutting nails, steam your legs in a warm bath. But instead of medicinal herbs, soda and liquid soap, add a little chlorkexidine or furacilin to the water in order to disinfect the surface of the legs and dissolve the dirt. After that, wipe your feet dry, and apply an antimicrobial ointment to the inflamed areas of the fingers. You can use, for example, Levomikol. After these manipulations, with a pre-disinfected wooden stick or nail file – whoever has something at hand, pry off the tip of the ingrown nail, try to straighten it and file it slightly. Now you can cut the edge of the nail in the center. Your nail plate, trying to grow together, will independently tighten to the middle and thereby free the skin, and you will forget about such a problem as an ingrown nail. The inflamed area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe skin can be treated with brilliant green, and a small piece of sterile bandage can be placed under the nail.

Experts do not recommend completely removing an ingrown toenail, because instead of forgetting about this problem forever, you can get a recurrence of the disease.

How to cut nails for children

How to cut nails for small children

A person’s nails begin to grow even during the period when he is in the mother’s womb. Therefore, it is not surprising that some babies are born with a long “manicure”. True, the structure of the nail plates is still very soft, therefore, the child cannot yet scratch them. But, in order to still give the crumbs a well-groomed look, it is recommended to cut them. Some young mothers bite their children’s nails, but we do not recommend that you do this. It is better to send the newly-made dad for special children’s scissors and a nail file – they are sold in any pharmacy.

How to cut children’s nails

Please note that it is strictly forbidden for a child to cut nails with your scissors
. Such children’s scissors should have rounded tips. After you have purchased them, despite the fact that they were fresh from the store and were sealed in a package, be sure to disinfect them – either scald with boiling water or wipe with alcohol. Disinfection will need to be carried out every time before cutting the child’s nails.

Also make sure that in your home medicine cabinet you always have such a remedy as Fukortsin. If you suddenly inadvertently injure your baby’s finger during the nail clipping procedure, be sure to lubricate its surface with this disinfectant.

How to get your child to cut their nails

Most children don’t like cutting their nails. Little ones – at first they don’t understand what their parents want from them, and, having matured, they are afraid that mom or dad will hurt with scissors, therefore, it’s not worth counting on the fact that the fidget will sit still. Be patient, turn on the cartoon for the child, or wait until he falls asleep – the latter option is also extremely traumatic. A child in a dream can pull his hand and you can unwittingly hurt him. It’s better to agree that now he will sit quietly for a while, and then you will give him a delicious apple or other fruit. The reward system for good behavior must definitely work in this case too.
Do not forget at the end of cutting nails for his perseverance and obedience. Well, if the child begins to cry and hysteria, it is better to postpone cutting the nails for a more suitable time for such a procedure.

Children should not cut their nails too short, because in the case of such a systematic repetition, they may begin to grow incorrectly, the very shape of the nails will deteriorate and the child will experience discomfort. Try to fix your child’s fingernails several times a week, and his toenails several times a month.

At the same time, explain to your child the importance of taking care of your nails and keeping them clean and tidy. Explain to the child that dirt accumulates under his nails, which is not so easy to wash. And, this dirt – it is a source of infections. And, infections are fever, bitter medicines and even injections. By the way, very often it is the dirt under the nails that causes rotavirus infection, gum inflammation, candidiasis …

When the child is 7 years old, he can be taught to cut his own nails and encourage him to keep his hands neat and clean.

How to properly cut, cut fingernails and toenails.

How to trim your fingernails and toenails? No problem!

To do this, you need to know some of the features of the procedure for shortening and filing the nail plates.

Nail trimming.

First, we determine the shape of the nails.

The shape of the nails on the hands can be any, but the best option is a rounded upper edge that repeats the shape of the hole, or as they are also called lunules (small, light stripes on the nail in the form of a crescent at the cuticle itself).

Handnail shortening procedure:

1. Treat scissors (forceps) with disinfectant. The tips of the scissors are advanced from the edge to the middle in small steps, without trying to completely cut off the entire nail plate in one movement, which prevents its delamination and the possibility of cutting off the excess. And so each nail in turn, trying not to accidentally injure the skin (which happens when using a new sharpened tool). If the skin around the nails is injured, the wound must be treated with hydrogen peroxide.
2. With smooth movements from the edges to the center, we process (file) the nail plate with a nail file, giving it a rounded shape. First, they take a large, and then a fine-grained grinding file.
3. We complete the procedure by applying a moisturizing cream or foam to the hands, and do a finger massage.

How to properly cut toenails:

1. Treat scissors (forceps) with disinfectant. It is necessary to shorten the plate using special straight cutters. Following a smooth arc, not much rounding the upper edge of the nail plate, we move from the edge to the middle in small steps.
2. After cutting – we file the upper edge of the nail plate with nail files.
3. In the end – apply a cream or oil on the skin of the legs and nail plates, massaging movements to achieve maximum absorption of the moisturizer.

Incorrect cutting. Correct cutting. Cut in a smooth arc.

Thus , shortening the nails on your hands and feet is not a complicated procedure in caring for them, but it requires thoroughness, accuracy and knowledge of the specifics of execution. Anyone can always afford good care at home with the help of improvised means and at a ridiculous price.

Take care of your arms and legs.

First of all , it helps to keep the nail plate healthy.

Secondly, is elementary hygiene: removal of accumulated dirt from under the nails, removal of burrs and cuticles, removal of calluses.

Manicure and pedicure help keep you healthy. Trust your health to professionals. Find your master, in whose work you will be 100% sure. A specialist will always pay attention to a possible problem and help prevent it. The price you pay for the procedure will be more than offset by the feeling of confidence in the healthy condition of your nails!

How to cut nails.