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 ofnail problemsand podiatry issues like ingrown toenails or toenail fungus infections.
Expert podiatristLeonard Greenwald, DPM, treats new and existing patients from hisofficein 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 forfungal infectionsto 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 alwaystrim your toenailsstraight 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 officeonlineorover the phonetoday to schedule your appointment.
FAQs
How often should you ask for the help of a specialist? Toenails grow about two millimeters per month, so your loved one may need a trim every six to eight weeks.
What is the correct toenail trimming? ›
It is important to make sure that you cut your toenails straight across, leaving them long enough so that the corners lie loosely against the skin at the sides. In other words, don't trim your toenails too short, don't round the edges, and also don't try to cut the toenails into a pointy V-shape.
What do podiatrists use to cut thick toenails? ›
Heavy duty podiatry-grade toenail clippers: We recommend ClipPro nail clippers for our patients.
Do podiatrists cut elderly toenails? ›
Seniors, especially those with diabetes, need to avoid self-trimming toenails to reduce the risk of infections. Podiatrists cut toenails and play a crucial role by offering specialized care to maintain the health of elderly feet and enhance comfort while relieving pain.
How often does Medicare pay for toenail clipping? ›
Medicare will cover the treatment of corns, calluses, and toenails once every 61 days in persons having certain systemic conditions. Examples of such conditions include: Diabetes with peripheral arterial disease, peripheral arterial disease, peripheral neuropathy, and chronic phlebitis.
What happens if you never clip your toenails? ›
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.
What do pincer toenails look like? ›
The pincer nail is a relatively common nail deformity, characterized by a thickened, excessively curved nail plate impinging on both lateral nail folds.
How to get rid of thick toenails quickly? ›
Treatment options for thick nails include:
- prescription creams or ointments.
- oral medications.
- laser therapy or light therapy.
- injections.
- surgery to remove the nail and allow it to regrow.
Make sure you are sitting comfortably before you start. One way to cut your toenails is by using two chairs or stools of a similar height. Sit on one and face the other towards you.
What is the white hard stuff under my toenails? ›
If the toenail fungus progresses, it can go deeper into the nail, causing discoloration, thick white stuff under the toenail (keratin debris), nail thickening and crumbling, and even transmission to surrounding nails.
Nothing kills toenail fungus right away. It can take at least 6 months to as long as 18 months to see your nail return to normal. What kills toenail fungus the fastest? A prescription medication like terbinafine will work faster than a home remedy, but you'll still need to take it for about 12 weeks.
Why do elderly get thick toenails? ›
Toenails thicken with age because the growth rate of the nail plate slows. Other reasons toenails may thicken include: A common skin condition called psoriasis. It causes cells to build up rapidly on the surface of the skin.
What is the old wives tale about cutting toenails? ›
Cut them on Friday, you cut them for sorrow; Cut them on Saturday, see your true love tomorrow; Cut them on Sunday, the devil will be with you all the week.
What is the easiest way for seniors to cut toenails? ›
There are multiple medical-grade or specialty clippers recommended for older adults. For thick nails, the “New Huing Podiatrist Toenail Clipper” is a great option. They can cut through stubborn toenails with their sharp and curved blade. They're also nonslip with a cushion grip for comfortable handling.
How much does it cost to get toenails cut? ›
Basic nail cutting costs £15 a session and nailcutting with a podiatrist costs £20 a session. A basic toenail cutting service is available to older people who cannot do this for themselves.
Do toenails grow back after the podiatrist pulls them out? ›
Usually, it may take less than 4 weeks to fully recover from a nail removal procedure. The nail will ultimately grow back after a certain period. Postoperative care is usually recommended by doctors. After the procedure, avoid putting any pressure on the affected foot or hand for the next 24 hours.
How long can I go without cutting my toenails? ›
We all need to cut our toenails every six to eight weeks. You probably don't give it much thought, but it's easy to make mistakes that lead to painful problems. This makes things easier by softening the nails, and it keeps infection away.
What day shouldn't you cut your toenails? ›
Cut them on Friday, you cut them for sorrow; Cut them on Saturday, see your true love tomorrow; Cut them on Sunday, the devil will be with you all the week. What do you think?
How do you know if your toenails are too long? ›
Signs & symptoms of long (elongated) toenails
Long white tip o nail plate (free margin) hanging over the edge of the toe. Toenails curling under the end of the toe. Thickening of the nail plate. Long toenails hitting the end of shoes.
