Tips for Cutting Your Toenails

Some instances of ingrown toenails may be treated successfully at home. Yet, they may still cause problems that need medical treatment. There is a high risk of complications from diabetes and other circulatory problems.

What are Ingrown Toenails?

Ingrown toenails occur when the sides or corners of the nail grow into the skin around the nail. You will most likely have an ingrown toenail on your big toe.

Why do People have Ingrown Toenails?

Both men and women have ingrown toenails at some point. Adolescents and those with sweaty feet are at an increased risk of developing ingrown toenails. Since toenails tend to grow with age, the elderly may also be at a greater risk.

There is a wide variety of potential triggers for an ingrown toenail, such as −

• An inappropriate method of nail clipping (Cut across the nail straight on, since slanting the blade might cause the nail to grow into the flesh.)

• misshapen, curved toenails

• Immense toe pain may be caused by wearing shoes, socks, or stockings that are too small, thin, or flat for your feet.

• injuries to the toenail caused by things like stumbling, falling, or continuously kicking a ball

• badly held position

• neglecting to wash or dry your feet regularly

• hereditary disposition

Engaging in sports that require you to be on your feet for extended periods may increase your risk of developing ingrown toenails. Ingrown toenails are more likely to occur in people who participate in activities where they are required to stand on their feet for extended periods or frequently kick an item, both of which may cause harm to the toenail. Some examples of these actions are −

• Football

• Ballet

• Soccer

• Kickboxing

Ingrown Toenails seem to be a Painful Condition, but What Causes Them?

When you have an ingrown toenail, you may experience discomfort that worsens over time.

Some of the first signs are −

• painful, swelling, or hardening of the skin around the nail

• an unfortunate reaction to any kind of toe pressure

• the accumulation of fluid in the toe

Signs of a toe infection may include −

• Itchy, red, swollen skin

• abnormal growth of skin that bleeds and drains fluid around the toe.

Avoid more discomfort by getting treatment for your ingrown toenail right now.

If you have Ingrown Toenails, how do you Know?

Doctors can usually tell what's wrong with your toe just by looking at it. If your toe seems infected, an X-ray may be required to determine how far the nail has penetrated the skin. An X-ray may also tell you whether the cause of your ingrown nail was trauma.

How to cut Your Toenails?

Home Therapy

Toenail clipping is a multi-step process comprising six key components or phases.

Nail Clippers

Using the appropriate instrument for cutting nails is the first stage in the process. There is no wrong way to use nail clippers or manicure scissors. Steer clear of nail-cutting implements that aren't purpose-built, like standard scissors or knives, and use something more specialized instead.

You need two nail clippers, one for your fingers and one for your toes; the former should be used on the latter. Your toenails call for a more powerful clipper due to their increased width and thickness. Another benefit of using separate clippers for your hands and feet is that it lowers the risk of transmitting germs or fungus from your hands to your feet. Be sure to give your clippers a thorough cleaning after each time you use them.

Cut Frequency

The frequency with which the hair is cut is the second stage. Since the toenails of the majority of individuals grow around 2mm (0.08 inches) per month, it is recommended that they be trimmed every six to eight weeks. Having said that, if you are a really active person or an athlete — particularly a runner — you will probably feel more comfortable trimming them more often. This is especially true for runners.

Whether wet or dry, Cutting the Nails

The third stage is to answer a topic that comes up rather frequently: "Should I clip my nails before or after I shower?" The correct response is "before" in the vast majority of instances. By cutting dry toenails, you will experience less bending and tearing, resulting in a smoother cut overall.

After a shower, persons with excessively thick toenails will find trimming their toenails simpler.

Time Between Cuttings

When your toenails have been trimmed, the next step is to decide how long you want to leave them. This is significant because if you cut your toenails too short, you may increase the likelihood that you may get ingrown toenails. If you let your toenails grow too long, there is a greater chance that they may get snagged on anything and become torn.

It is strongly suggested that you keep the length of your toenails between 1-2mm at all times (0.04 to 0.08 inches).

The Fingernail was Trimmed

The actual slicing occurs in the sixth stage. Always cut your toenails against the grain to prevent painful cases of ingrown toenails. The majority of people find that it is simpler to perform this task in two stages: the first stage involves positioning the clippers so that they are angled slightly away from the side of the nail to create a straight edge; the second stage consists in removing the remaining portion of the nail by following the line of the straight cut.

To File down the Nail

The sixth and last step is to file your nails using an emery board to smooth any sharp edges that might snag and rip the nail as it develops. File your nails in a clockwise direction.

Surgery

Ingrown toenail surgeries vary. Partial nail removal removes just the nail that is digging into your skin. Doctors numb and narrow toenails. Partial nail removal prevents 98% of ingrown toenails.

Partial nail removal straightens the edges by cutting away the sides. Ingrown toenails are prevented by placing cotton beneath the nail. Your doctor may apply phenol on your toe to prevent nail growth.

Thickened nails may be removed.