How to cut toenails correctly. What tools are best for trimming toenails. How often should you trim your toenails. Can cutting toenails incorrectly cause problems. What is the ideal toenail length.

Essential Tools and Techniques for Safe Toenail Trimming

Proper toenail care is crucial for maintaining foot health and preventing painful conditions like ingrown nails. Using the right tools and techniques can make a significant difference in the outcome of your trimming routine.

Choosing the Right Tools

What tools should you use to cut your toenails? The most appropriate tools for toenail trimming are:

• Nail clippers specifically designed for toenails
• Manicure scissors (for precision work)
• Emery board or nail file

It’s important to avoid using regular scissors or knives, as these aren’t designed for nail care and can lead to injuries or uneven cuts. Having separate clippers for fingernails and toenails is also recommended to prevent the transfer of bacteria or fungus between your hands and feet.

The Importance of Clean Tools

How can you ensure your nail clippers are hygienic? Always clean your nail clippers thoroughly after each use. You can do this by:

1. Washing them with soap and warm water
2. Wiping them down with rubbing alcohol
3. Allowing them to dry completely before storage

This practice helps prevent the spread of infections and keeps your tools in good condition for longer.

Optimal Toenail Trimming Frequency and Timing

Establishing a regular trimming schedule is key to maintaining healthy toenails. But how often should you cut your toenails?

The Ideal Trimming Schedule

For most people, toenails grow at a rate of about 2 millimeters (0.08 inches) per month. This growth rate suggests that trimming every six to eight weeks is generally appropriate. However, if you’re very active or an athlete, especially a runner, you might find more frequent trimming beneficial for comfort.

Wet vs. Dry Nail Trimming

Should you cut your nails before or after showering? In most cases, it’s best to trim your toenails when they’re dry. Dry nails are less likely to bend or tear during cutting, resulting in a cleaner cut. However, if you have particularly thick toenails, trimming after a shower when the nails are softer can make the process easier.

Proper Toenail Length and Cutting Techniques

Achieving the right toenail length is crucial for preventing ingrown nails and other foot problems. But what is the ideal length for toenails?

Finding the Sweet Spot

The recommended length for toenails is about 1 to 2 millimeters (0.04 to 0.08 inches) beyond the nail bed. This length helps prevent ingrown toenails while also reducing the risk of nails catching on socks or other materials.

The Straight-Across Cutting Method

How should you cut your toenails to prevent ingrown nails? The most effective technique is to cut straight across. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Make the first cut slightly off the side of the nail to create a straight edge
2. Complete the cut by removing the rest of the nail, following the line of the straight cut
3. Use an emery board to smooth any jagged edges that could snag and potentially tear the nail as it grows

This method helps prevent the nail from growing into the surrounding skin, reducing the risk of painful ingrown toenails.

Dealing with Thick Toenails: Causes and Solutions

Thick toenails can be challenging to trim and may indicate underlying health issues. But what causes toenails to thicken?

Common Causes of Thick Toenails

Several factors can contribute to thickened toenails:

• Fungal infections (e.g., onychomycosis)
• Psoriasis
• Injuries to the nail bed
• Wearing tight-fitting shoes
• Aging

Trimming Thick Toenails Safely

How can you properly cut thick toenails? Follow these steps for safe trimming:

1. Soak your feet in warm water for at least 10 minutes to soften the nails
2. Dry your feet and nails thoroughly
3. Use a strong nail clipper designed for thick nails
4. Make small cuts to avoid splintering the nail
5. Cut straight across to reduce the risk of ingrown nails
6. Smooth the edges with an emery board

If your thickened toenails are painful or difficult to trim, consult a podiatrist for professional advice and treatment options.

Managing Toenail Fungus: Trimming and Treatment

Toenail fungus can make trimming more challenging and requires extra care to prevent spreading the infection. How should you approach cutting toenails affected by fungus?

Special Considerations for Fungal Nails

When dealing with fungal toenails, follow these guidelines:

• Use medical-grade toenail clippers, as standard ones may not be strong enough
• Soak your feet for 20-30 minutes in warm water to soften the nails
• Disinfect your clippers with alcohol or diluted bleach after each use
• Consider using disposable nail files to prevent spreading the fungus

If you suspect a fungal infection, it’s important to seek medical advice for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Preventing Complications: Common Toenail Trimming Mistakes

Improper toenail trimming can lead to various foot problems. What are some common mistakes to avoid?

Pitfalls in Toenail Care

Be aware of these frequent errors:

• Cutting nails too short, which can lead to ingrown toenails
• Rounding the corners of the nails instead of cutting straight across
• Using dull or inappropriate tools
• Neglecting to clean and disinfect tools between uses
• Ignoring signs of infection or other nail abnormalities

By avoiding these mistakes, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing painful foot conditions.

Special Considerations for Diabetics and Toenail Care

Proper foot care is especially crucial for individuals with diabetes. Why is toenail care so important for diabetics?

The Importance of Vigilant Foot Care in Diabetes

Diabetes can lead to reduced sensation in the feet and poor circulation, making it easier for small injuries to go unnoticed and potentially develop into serious infections. For diabetics, proper toenail care involves:

• Regular inspection of feet and nails for any changes or injuries
• Gentle trimming to avoid cuts or nicks
• Keeping nails at a moderate length to prevent ingrown toenails
• Seeking professional help for trimming if necessary
• Immediate attention to any signs of infection or injury

Diabetics should consult with their healthcare provider to develop a safe and effective foot care routine tailored to their specific needs.

By following these guidelines and paying attention to proper toenail care, you can maintain healthy feet and prevent many common foot problems. Remember, if you experience persistent issues with your toenails or feet, it’s always best to consult a podiatrist or your healthcare provider for professional advice and treatment.

How to Cut Toenails: Step-by-Step Instructions

The best way to cut toenails

Cutting your toenails properly is an important step in preventing painful ingrown toenails — a condition when nails curve and grow into the skin, which often leads to pain and sometimes to infection.

There are six main components or steps to cutting your toenails properly.

1. Nail clippers

The first step is to use the proper nail-cutting tool. Nail clippers or manicure scissors are appropriate. Avoid tools such as regular scissors or knives that aren’t specifically designed for cutting nails.

You should have two nail clippers — one for your fingers and one for your toes. Since your toenails are broader and thicker, they require a larger clipper. Also, by having separate clippers, you reduce the chance of transferring bacteria or fungus between your feet and hands. Make sure to clean your clippers thoroughly between each use.

2. Cut frequency

The second step is the frequency of cutting. Most people’s toenails grow about 2 millimeters (0.08 inches) a month, so it’s appropriate to cut them every six to eight weeks. That being said, if you are a very active person or an athlete — especially a runner — you will probably be more comfortable if you trim them more often.

3. Cutting wet or dry nails

The third step is answering a common question: “Should I cut my nails before or after I shower?” In most cases, the answer is “before.” Dry toenails are less likely to bend or tear when you cut them, so you will get a cleaner cut.

For people with very thick toenails, cutting will be easier after a shower.

4. Time between cuts

The fourth step is determining how long to leave your toenails following the cut. This is important, because cutting your toenails too short could heighten your risk for ingrown toenails. If you leave your toenails too long, they are more likely to get caught on something and tear.

It’s recommended that you maintain your toenails at a length of about 1 to 2 millimeters (0. 04 to 0.08 inches).

5. Cutting the nail

The fifth step is the actual cut. To avoid painful ingrown toenails, cut your toenails straight across. For many people, this is easiest to do in two cuts — the first one with the clippers slightly off the side of the nail to create a straight edge; the second to remove the rest of the nail following the line of the straight cut.

6. Filing the nail

The sixth and final step is to file your nails with an emery board to smooth any jagged edges that could snag and potentially tear the nail as it grows.

Your toenails might be thick for any of a number of reasons, including:

• fungal infection, such as onychomycosis
• psoriasis, a skin condition that causes rapid cell build up on the skin’s surface
• injury
• tight-fitting shoes

To properly cut your thick toenails, follow these steps:

1. Soak your feet in warm water for at least 10 minutes to soften your nails, and then use a towel to thoroughly dry your feet and toenails.
2. Using a nail clipper, make small cuts to avoid splintering the nail and cut straight across. To lessen the chance of the nail becoming ingrown, don’t round off the corners.
3. Use an emery board to smooth edges and corners that could snag.

If your thickened toenails are painful or you don’t think that you can safely cut your toenails without help, ask your doctor for advice.

Cutting toenails with fungus is similar to the process for cutting thick toenails. If you leave the fungus untreated, your nails will continue to thicken and might get to a thickness that requires some additional action including:

• medical-grade toenail clippers, as standard clippers may not be able to cut all the way through and can slip off the nail and cut your skin
• longer foot soak (20 or 30 minutes in warm water)
• clipper disinfection using alcohol or diluted bleach

If you think that you have a fungal infection, make an appointment to see your doctor.

Cutting your toenails seems like a simple task, but, if done wrong, it can result in ingrown toenails, cut skin, or the spread of fungus.

To properly cut your toenails, cut straight across the nail, use the right tools, and thoroughly clean those tools between uses. If you have unusually thick toenails or have a toe fungus, take special care when clipping your nails.

In many cases, talking to your doctor about foot care is necessary.

Mistakes You’re Making When Clipping Your Toenails: Eric Blanson, DPM: Sports Medicine

How you cut your toenails may seem trivial in the grand scheme of things, but it’s actually an important part of maintaining your overall health and wellness, especially if you’re a diabetic.

Here at PMC Foot and Ankle Clinic in Spring, Texas, Dr. Eric Blanson and our team see lots of patients whose improper clipping techniques have caused complications that require medical attention. 

To help you avoid such complications, we’ve put together this guide on common mistakes people make and the correct technique to ensure your podiatric health.

Ingrown toenails: A common problem

Any nail can become ingrown, but the most common nail is the one on your big toe. Ingrown nails occur because:

• The skin on the toe grows over the nail itself
• The nail grows into the skin around it

Both occurrences usually result from clipping your nails improperly, and they lead to a hard, painful, red swelling at the corner of the nail. If left untreated, these leave you vulnerable to either a bacterial or a fungal infection.

Bacterial infections usually leak pus and, sometimes, blood. Fungal infections produce discolored toenails that are thick, brittle, and smell bad.

Complications from an ingrown toenail can become especially severe if you have diabetes, which causes circulatory problems that lead to poor blood flow in the feet, as well as nerve damage resulting in the loss of sensation. A simple cut can lead to an infected ulcer.

Common toenail-clipping mistakes and how to correct them

Here are a number of common mistakes people make and how to avoid them.

Using the wrong tool

Using regular cutting scissors or even knives for your nails doesn’t do the job properly, and you run the risk of cutting yourself in the process.

The correct tools are dedicated nail clippers or manicure scissors. In fact, you should have two pairs, a smaller one for your fingers, and a larger one for the broader, thicker nails on your toes. 

In addition, by using separate clippers, you reduce the chance of bacterial or fungal contamination between your feet and hands.

Thoroughly clean each of your clippers between uses with 70%-90% isopropyl alcohol, rinsing them with hot water and drying them completely before putting away.

Clipping nails while wet

It’s tempting to wait until you get out of the bath or shower to cut your nails, as they’ll be softer. The trouble is, your nails are likely to bend or tear when you try to cut them, and you run the risk of injury.

Unless you have thick toenails, which soften in the bath, you should cut them when they’re dry to ensure a clean cut.

Clipping your nails too long or too short

Lots of people cut their nails way back, so they don’t have to do it too often, or they leave them too long, for appearance. 

The problem is, if your nails are too short, you run the risk of developing an ingrown toenail; if your nails are too long, they’re likely to snag on your sock or shoe and tear uncomfortably.

The best length to leave your nails is at 1-2 millimeters (0.04 to 0.08 of an inch) above where they attach to the toe.

Curving the edges

Some people think that curving the edges of the nail makes it look more attractive or keeps it from getting damaged, but you’re more prone to ingrown toenails if you round them.

Instead, cut your toenails straight across, preferably with two cuts. Make the first cut with the clippers slightly off the nail’s side to create a straight edge. Then make the second following that line all the way to the other side.

Trimming the cuticles

You may think that cutting or pushing back the cuticles may make the nail look more attractive, but it’s also bad for your foot health.

The cuticles protect the nail root, so when you trim or cut them, it’s easier for bacteria and fungi to enter the body and cause an infection. Nail infections can take a long time to heal.

Failing to moisturize the nails

You keep your hands and the soles of your feet moisturized, so why wouldn’t you moisturize the nails? Moisturizing after you’ve trimmed the nails helps to keep them flexible. This is particularly important when the air is dry, because dry nails split more easily and can cause a cut or a tear.

Want to learn more about how to trim your nails to ensure better foot health? Give PMC Foot and Ankle Clinic a call or schedule a consultation online with us today.

Three Types of Bunions

Did you know there’s more than one type of bunions? These bony growths aren’t just a painless lump. They can cause discomfort and make you feel self-conscious about your feet. Learn more about bunions and how we treat them.

4 Helpful Treatment Options for Joint Pain

Is your joint pain interrupting your daily routine or affecting your quality of life? Cutting-edge, advanced treatments can give you the relief you’re looking for. Keep reading to learn more.

Complications of an Ingrown Toenail

Most people have had an ingrown toenail at some point in their lives. Even though it’s a common problem, ingrown toenails can have complications that require medical care. Here’s what you need to know.

What You Should Know About Foot Care If You Have Diabetes

When you have diabetes, you have to watch your blood glucose levels. But you should also pay careful attention to your feet, because high blood sugar can cause serious foot problems. The following tips keep your feet healthy.

Does an Ingrown Toenail Require Medical Assistance?

If you have a painful ingrown toenail, you may wonder if it’s really doctor-worthy. Most ingrown toenails aren’t serious and resolve on their own. But in some cases, you need to see a podiatrist to avoid serious complications. Here’s how you know.

7 Shoe Mistakes You’re Making That Hurt Your Feet

Whether you sport cleats, flip-flops, or stilettos, anything you strap onto your feet can affect their health. If you choose shoes based on their cool factor, you may be harming your hoofers. Here are seven ways your shoes can hurt your feet.

How to trim your toenails

It may seem like the easiest task, but clipping your toenails is a ritual that should be performed carefully, with special attention. Therefore, today we will talk about how to properly cut toenails .

You will be surprised, but most people cut their toenails the wrong way. And this is not at all encouraging, because the most common mistakes can lead to painful and quite serious consequences, such as ingrown nails , and various infections.

People with diabetes should be especially careful about the issue of shortening toenails in order to reduce the risk of future foot problems.

Preparation

Never use nail scissors to cut toenails, because the nails on our lower extremities are much thicker than on our hands, and ordinary scissors may simply not do the job, damaging the nails. Buy Better quality nail clippers .

Care should be taken to ensure that the two blades on the tool work with the same pressure to ensure a good, clean cut.

Hygiene is the key to a safe pedicure. If possible, wipe all toes with an alcohol solution before starting the procedure. I’m not talking about the importance of sterilizing tweezers, I think this is already clear.

It is possible to share nail clippers with other family members, but always check that they have been sterilized before each use. Otherwise, if one of the family members has a fungal infection, you will also become the owner of it.

Follow the technique

Choose a place with enough light. Sit on a chair or on the floor, holding the nail clippers in one hand and holding your leg with the other hand.

There is no need to pre-soak your feet in water. Toenails are so strong that it doesn’t really show up in their texture. In addition, trimming dry nails will give you a smoother and more even cut.

Starting with your thumb, cut your nails straight so that they are square and not curved at the edges. Their rounding can lead to ingrown toenails. It is at this stage that many people make a major mistake.

The only ones who are advised to cut their nails in a crooked cut are ballet dancers, as they often have to stand on their fingertips. But most often they turn to professionals for trimming toenails.

Do not cut your nails too short, as the skin under the nail can become damaged and inflamed.

Don’t hurt your cuticles. 🙂 If you want to give your toenails a nicer look, just use a cuticle stick and push it back a bit.

Use a nail file to smooth out the sharp ends. As with tweezers, clean the nail file before use.

Finish with moisturizing foot cream .

When you’re done, wash all of your tools in hot water to be free of nail particles and dirt.

Who should not trim their own toenails

• If you have a fairly ingrown toenail
• If you are obese, pregnant, or nearsighted enough to not be able to see your legs well.

• If your nails are particularly thick, which is common in older people, or if you experience pain while cutting your nails.
• Diabetics should also be especially careful, because an ingrown toenail can disrupt blood circulation and affect nerve endings. Cutting the skin around the nail can lead to infection and, in rare cases, ulcers or even gangrene.

How often to cut your toenails

Everyone’s nails grow at different rates, so there is no set schedule. Just make sure your legs aren’t too long and trim them before they rub against your shoes and hurt.

Clean, well-groomed and neatly trimmed nails symbolize healthy feet and comfortable walking. And that’s exactly what we need! 🙂 Be healthy and beautiful!

How to cut your toenails? — LadyWow

Contents

• Features
• Preparation
  • Tooling
• Step-by-Step Instructions
• Who shouldn’t cut their own toenails?
• How often to cut?
• Video on article

A quality pedicure, which is carried out in accordance with all the rules, helps to acquire not only a beautiful appearance, but also to avoid many problems. That is why it is important to know how to properly cut your toenails. Improper cutting of the nail can cause damage to the integrity of nearby tissues, foci of suppuration, fungal infections, ingrown nails and many other problems.

Rules for cutting nails

Features

Despite the fact that for many, the procedure for cutting the nail plate seems to be everyday and not very significant, it has several important and significant nuances.

• First of all, you should definitely pay attention to the shape of the nail plates. Ideally, they should follow the shape of the fingertips. In theory, the correct, or standard, shape is called an arch – arched. Trimming arched nails is the easiest and safest way.
• It is very important to choose the right tools to cut nails without damage or injury.

There are many types of tools that can be used to trim your legs. It can be scissors, special tweezers or wire cutters.

Nail clippers

Manicure scissors are not recommended as tools. With their help, it is unlikely that it will be possible to properly and correctly cut the nails. Nail cutting is best done with flat tongs, the size of which does not exceed 12 centimeters.

Knisper is used for thick nail plates. These are special scissors made of high-strength steel, the ends of the scissors are rounded. With this tool, you can cut off ingrown nail plates.

Preparation

The preparation phase has a specific sequence:

1. Wash hands with soap and water.
2. Recondition instruments (even if the pedicure set is for individual use only).
3. If you need to cut fungal nail plates, you must wear gloves.
4. Wash feet before trimming.
5. If the plates are brittle, it is advisable to soften the plate with a warm bath before starting.

The bath will help soften nails and prevent the formation of cracks, and will simplify the process of trimming.

Foot bath

Treatment of instruments

For these purposes it is necessary to use a soapy solution, disinfectants. Metal objects should be immersed in a disinfectant solution for at least 10 minutes. Then rinse and dry. An oven can be used as a sterilizer.

Processing tools

This completes the preparatory phase. Before proceeding with the execution, it is worth studying the step-by-step instructions for execution.

Step-by-step instructions

It is not recommended to cut in one stroke. It is necessary to cut the nails gradually, that is, in several stages. You need to shape your nails with a nail file.

1. Place a towel or napkin on the floor. This will help you collect all the trimmed nails and throw them away.
2. The cut must be made in several stages, without going to the tips of the plate. You should not try to cut ingrown nails at the same time in one motion, as delamination or damage to nearby tissues is possible.
3. Cutting the root plate is not recommended. This will cause damage to soft tissues and can cause infection, pain. A small strip should always remain.
4. Use a nail file to give the desired shape. A buff may also come up. It is not necessary to cut dry trimmed nails often, as they will begin to exfoliate. They can be of various shapes: round, oval, or even rectangular. The form should not have pointed sections. You need to file them from the edges to the central part.
5. Dry feet with a towel or disposable towel.
6. Lubricate feet with moisturizer, oil, or wax. This will save the skin from drying out and delamination of the nail plates.

An antifungal cream or gel should be applied to a fungal nail before clipping. If necessary, cut ingrown nails, you can rub a softening or anti-inflammatory cream.

Who shouldn’t cut their own toenails?

There is a category of people who are not recommended to cut their own nails.

1. These are people who suffer from skin and fungal infections. With great care, it is necessary to carry out the procedure for infants.
2. It is generally not recommended for children under a month to cut their own shearing, as they have not yet formed a plate. After a month, surgical steel scissors with round edges should be used as a tool. If the baby was born already with long nails, they should be cut off after birth. Babies need to carry out the procedure in a dream or during a meal.

It is very important that little children have individual tools that no one else uses. Each time before use, scissors should be treated with chlorhexidine.

Baby nail clipping

Elderly people .

This category of people has a very thick nail plate and impaired blood flow. In this regard, it is required to select a special tool and conduct a thorough, optimal preparation. Before starting, be sure to make a warm bath or steaming compression lotions. In some cases, a long compress for 6-10 hours is required. In some cases, it is necessary to apply a special keratolic patch. It can be purchased at any pharmacy.

Nail cutting for the elderly

How often should I cut my nails?

There is no clear answer to this question, since each person’s nails grow at different rates.