Make sure to clean your clippers thoroughly between each use. The second step is the frequency of cutting. 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.
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.
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. 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:. 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:.
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. Ingrown toenails occur when the edges or corners of a nail grow into the skin next to it, causing tenderness, redness, and even bleeding. Toenails that have become thicker over time are a likely sign of a fungal infection. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 52, times. Fungal infections can thicken your toenails, making them difficult to trim. You might also be worried about spreading the infection to your other nails during trimming. Fortunately, you can make the trimming process safer and easier by choosing the right tools and softening your nails before you trim them.
You can also protect your healthy nails by properly disinfecting your nail care tools after each use. Tip: You can add extra fungus-fighting power to your foot soak by stirring in a few heaping spoonfuls of baking soda.
Warning: In addition to toenail fungus, contaminated nail clippers can also spread more serious infectious diseases. When you use the clippers, bacteria and viruses can enter your bloodstream through tiny nicks and cuts on your fingertips. Never share your clippers or other pedicure tools with another person. Log in Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. No account yet? Create an account. Edit this Article.
We use cookies to make wikiHow great. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Cookie Settings. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Download Article Explore this Article parts. Things You'll Need. Related Articles. Part 1. Soak your nails for 10 minutes in warm water. Fungal infections can make your toenails thick and hard. To trim them easily, you may need to soften them first.
Fill a basin or tub with warm water and soak your nails in it for 10 minutes before trimming them. Make sure to wash the towel before using it on any other part of your body to prevent the fungal infection from spreading.
Reviewed: July 8, Medically Reviewed. Your Options for Treating Toenail Fungus If you think you may have toenail fungus, you should see a podiatrist or dermatologist, who will send a specimen or a piece of your nail to a lab. If you do have a toenail fungus, your doctor will likely recommend one or more of the following treatment options: Trimming the Toenail Trimming the toenail is usually combined with medication, but having a podiatrist periodically trim the nail down is helpful and allows the medication to work better, says Sundling.
Prescription Topical Medications These are used the same way you would use nail polish. One such medication, efinaconazole , has about a 50 percent success rate, says Sundling, and you must use it every day for 48 weeks. Another similar medication, ciclopirox , has a 20 percent success rate, and you must use it for 11 to 12 months, she adds.
Itraconazole is another oral medication for toenail fungus. Nail Removal Sometimes completely removing the toenail is seen as a treatment option for toenail fungus, says Sundling. Sometimes it grows back in as a healthy nail, and sometimes it grows back with the fungus. Home Remedies There are people who swear by applying Vicks VapoRub , oregano oil, or tea tree oil to the toenail daily, says Sunding.
However, these home remedies have never been proven by research to be successful at removing a fungal infection, she adds. More research is needed to know whether lasers can provide safe and effective treatment for most people, according to the American Academy of Dermatology , but the FDA has approved several laser devices for the treatment of toenail fungus.
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