Proper toenail trimming is essential to prevent discomfort and avoid issues like ingrown toenails. Best practices include:
- Cut straight across: Trim your toenails straight across rather than curving them at the edges. This helps prevent the nails from growing into the skin, which can lead to ingrown toenails.
- Avoid cutting too short: Leave a small amount of the white tip visible (about 1-2 mm) to prevent cutting too deeply and risking damage to the nail bed.
- Use the right tools: Use toenail clippers instead of fingernail clippers or cosmetic scissors, as they are designed to handle the thicker and larger toenails and don’t pose a huge risk to injuring the skin. Ensure your nail clippers are clean and are not shared between family members to prevent infections from spreading, such as fungal nails).
- Soften nails before cutting: Trim your nails after a bath or shower when they are softer and easier to cut. If needed, soak your feet in warm water for a couple of minutes.
- File rough edges: After cutting, use a nail file to smooth any rough or sharp edges to prevent the nails from catching on socks or shoes.
If you have certain health conditions, such as Diabetes, it’s important that you take extra care of your feet and ensure that you are cutting your toenails safely and correctly. Click here to learn more about how best to take care of your feet with Diabetes.
What is an ingrown toenail?
An ingrown toenail occurs when the corner or side of a toenail grows into the soft tissue of the toe. This condition often causes pain, redness, swelling, and sometimes infection. Ingrown toenails most commonly affect the big toe, as the big toe is typically subject to higher pressure loads when walking and during activities.
What causes an ingrown toenail?
Several factors can lead to ingrown toenails:
- Improper nail trimming: Cutting toenails too short or rounding the edges excessively can encourage the nail to grow into the skin.
- Tight footwear: Wearing shoes that crowd the toes can put pressure on the nails, causing them to grow into the surrounding skin.
- Injury: Trauma to the toenail, such as stubbing your toe or dropping something on it, can lead to an ingrown toenail.
- Curved toenails (involuted): Some people naturally have more curved toenails, which are more prone to becoming ingrown, and are more at risk with poor toenail cutting techniques.
- Nail infections: Infections, such as fungal nails, can alter the shape of the nail, increasing the risk of ingrowth to the surrounding tissues.
How to treat and prevent ingrown toenails
Treatment
- Soak your foot: Soak your foot in warm, salty water to draw out dirt and debris. This can help alleviate pain and prevent infection.
- Pain relief: Over-the-counter pain relievers like paracetamol and ibuprofen can help manage discomfort.
- Wear comfortable shoes: Opt for shoes with a wide toe box to avoid putting pressure on the toes.
- Consult a medical professional: Consult your GP or a podiatrist if conservative (self-care) solutions do not prove to work, or if you notice any signs of infection, such as:
- Redness of the affected toe
- Swelling
- Large amounts of discharge
- If the toe is hot to touch
- Increasing pain at rest
You may require antibiotics to clear the infection, and a podiatrist may need to trim the nail, or remove part or all of the nail under local anaesthesia in order to resolve the problem for good.
Prevention
- Trim nails properly: Always cut your toenails straight across and avoid cutting them too short, so you can always see the edges and corners of your nails. You can soften any sharp edges with a nail file.
- Choose accommodative footwear: Wear shoes that fit well and don’t squeeze the toes. This helps prevent nails from being pushed into the skin.
- Maintain good foot hygiene: Keep your feet clean and dry to prevent infections that can lead to ingrown toenails, such as fungal infections.
By following these guidelines, you can effectively manage and prevent ingrown toenails, ensuring healthy and comfortable toes.
Image credit: Freepik
