How to Care for Your Toenails

Caring for your toenails is a crucial aspect of foot health that can prevent many common issues, including infections, discomfort, and the development of ingrown toenails.
Proper toenail care is essential not only for comfort but also for preventing more serious problems like toenail fungus. In this guide, we’ll cover how to trim your toenails correctly, maintain hygiene, and explain what to do if an ingrown toenail or other issues arise.
Basic Toenail Care Tips
Taking good care of your toenails starts with a simple routine that you can follow at home. Here are some essential tips to keep your toenails healthy and avoid common problems:
Wash Your Feet Daily
Good foot hygiene is essential for healthy toenails. Make sure to wash your feet thoroughly every day, whether during a shower or bath, using warm water and soap. After washing, always dry your feet completely, especially between the toes, to prevent excess moisture that can lead to fungal infections like toenail fungus.
Trim Your Toenails Properly
One of the most important aspects of toenail care is knowing how to cut your toenails properly. Using sharp nail clippers, trim your toenails straight across rather than rounding the edges. This simple practice helps prevent the development of ingrown toenails, where the sides of the nail grow into the surrounding skin, causing pain, swelling, and sometimes infection.
Use the Right Tools
To keep your toenails in great shape, use proper tools like a nail file or emery board to smooth out rough edges after trimming. Filing your toenails helps avoid snags or sharp corners, which could damage the skin around the nails. An emery board is particularly useful for buffing down thicker toenails and keeping them smooth.
Wear Fitting Shoes
Ill-fitting shoes are a common cause of toenail problems, especially ingrown toenails and nail damage. Make sure you wear well-fitting shoes that offer enough room for your toes to move without being too tight. Shoes that squeeze your toes together or put pressure on the toenails can increase the risk of nails growing improperly or becoming damaged.
Moisturise but Avoid Excess Moisture
While it’s important to keep the skin on your feet moisturised to avoid dryness and cracks, too much moisture around the nails can lead to fungal infections. After you wash your feet, apply a moisturiser to the skin, but avoid applying too much cream directly on the toenails themselves. The area under the nails should stay dry to reduce the risk of fungal infections.
Preventing and Treating Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails are one of the most common toenail problems. They occur when the corner or side of a toenail grows into the surrounding skin. This can lead to pain, redness, swelling, and, in some cases, infection. While improper toenail cutting is a frequent cause, wearing tight shoes or injuring the toe can also lead to ingrown nails.
Here are some tips to prevent and manage ingrown toenails:
Trim Nails Correctly
As mentioned earlier, always trim your toenails straight across. Do not cut them too short, and avoid rounding the corners, as this can encourage the nails to grow into the skin.
Soak Your Feet
If you feel the early signs of an ingrown toenail, such as tenderness or redness around the nail, soaking your feet in warm, soapy water can help reduce inflammation and soften the area, making it easier to manage.
Avoid Tight Shoes
Wearing poorly fitting shoes that press against your toes can exacerbate an ingrown toenail. Opt for shoes with plenty of room in the toe box to prevent putting unnecessary pressure on your nails.
Seek Professional Help
If the pain persists or the ingrown toenail becomes infected, it’s best to consult a podiatrist. In some cases, nail surgery may be required to remove part or all of the nail, especially if the problem is recurring.
Avoiding Toenail Fungus
Toenail fungus is another common issue that can arise when toenails are not cared for properly. Fungal infections can cause toenails to become thick, yellow, and brittle. To avoid toenail fungus, it’s important to keep your feet clean and dry, especially in winter months when feet are often enclosed in thick socks and shoes.
Keep Your Feet Dry
Fungus thrives in warm, moist environments. After washing your feet, always dry your feet thoroughly, particularly between the toes. Changing your socks daily and opting for breathable footwear can also help prevent the build-up of moisture.
Use Antifungal Products
If you suspect you have toenail fungus, over-the-counter antifungal creams or sprays may help treat the infection. In more severe cases, your doctor may recommend oral antifungal medication or specialised treatments.
Conclusion
Knowing how to care for your toenails is essential for maintaining good foot health. By following simple steps like trimming your nails correctly, using a nail file or emery board, wearing properly fitting shoes, and keeping your feet clean and dry, you can avoid common toenail issues like ingrown toenails and toenail fungus.
Should any serious problems arise, such as recurring ingrown nails, consulting a podiatrist for potential nail surgery is the best course of action. By staying proactive, you can ensure your toenails stay healthy and strong all year round.