Don't you think that sometimes your toenails are a bit longer than they should be? It's time for a trim! Clipping is an easy task; all you need is a file and some lotion or oil. But there are certain things you need to remember. If you trim too less, you risk a chance of an injury. If you trim too short, particularly on the sides of your big toes, you may set the stage for an ingrown toenail. Certain people have a habit of tapering the corners so that the nail curves along with the shape of your toe. This technique encourages the nails on your toes to grow into the surrounding skin by digging into it. An ingrown toenail may also occur if you wear shoes that are ill-fitting. To avoid any of these issues, make sure that the nail is cut straight across and just above the skin. If you wish to know more about trimming toenails, continue reading. Also, learn a few remedies and the visible symptoms for toenail problems.
Ingrown Toenails Remedies
There are certain tips that you need to follow for trimming toenails. Read these tips for ingrown toenails and symptoms and treatments for toenail problems.
Tips For Trimming Toenails
- Try a foot soak. Allow your sore toes to soak in a warm saltwater bath for about 15 minutes daily. This can help in relieving the pain and swelling of an ingrown toenail. Make sure that you dry your foot completely after each soak.
- Rub your toes with an antibiotic ointment to reduce the risk of any developing infection. Bacterial infections on your feet and toes can be extremely detrimental.
- Stuff tiny pieces of clean and moist cotton between the ingrown toenail and the skin so as to separate them and provide cushioning too. You may soak the cotton in a bit of water or an antiseptic cleanser first.
- If you are brave enough, gently pull the skin away from the nail using a small nail file so that it releases the two from each other.
- Choose shoes that are easy on your toes. Footwear made up of a soft fabric is a good choice; sandals the best option. Avoid anything that pinches the toes or puts pressure on the ingrown toenail.
- Inspect your toe carefully for signs of infection every time. Check for signs and symptoms such as redness, increased pain, swelling and drainage of pus. See a podiatrist if your ingrown toenail recurs.
- Make a few small cuts instead of clipping your toenails in a single go. This reduces the risk of leaving bits of nail in the skin. Remember that you must always cut nails when they're dry and not wet. This is because wet nails have a chance of tearing, or bending while dry nails will gives you a cleaner, smoother
- Try not to cut cuticles. If you want to tame the cuticles on your toenails, use a cuticle stick (an orange stick) to push them back. Cutting them can cause bleeding or infection but pushing them out of the way gives feet a neat look without unnecessary damage.
Symptoms For Toenail Problems
- Tenderness on one or both sides of the nail.
- Swelling of the toe with slight discolorations.
- Infection of the tissue around your toenail that might slowly start spreading to other toes too. Pus formation is sometimes seen.
- Development of a fever due to unnatural conditions in the body.
Trimming your fingernails and toenails is easy. If you make it a point to do this on a regular note, it saves you the trouble from visiting a doctor!