Trimming your nails should be a part of everybody’s regular grooming and hygiene routine. Properly trimmed nails are less prone to breakage, which can damage the nail and be painful. Additionally, long nails are less hygienic, as they harbor more bacteria. This is especially true for the toenails, which are less easy to keep clean than the fingernails. Since you usually only wash your feet once a day in the shower (as opposed to washing your hands multiple times throughout the day), toenails can harbor more bacteria than fingernails. While trimming your toenails is essential to hygiene, trimming them correctly is something that some people may overlook.
Trimming your nails correctly is very important when it comes to the health of your toes. Trimming them incorrectly can potentially cause ingrown toenails, which occur when the nail starts to grow into the skin on the side of the toe. Ingrown toenails are more likely to occur when your nails are trimmed in a curved shape. This shape is okay when trimming your fingernails, since the nail shape is already curved and the skin of the finger is less likely to be continuously pressed onto the nail. Trimming your nails on the toes should be done in a straight across shape only. This shape will minimize risk of the nail growing into the skin. It is also a good habit while trimming your nails to avoid leaving jagged corners on them, for both toenails and fingernails.
If you have developed an ingrown toenail, this is likely a sign that you aren’t trimming your nails correctly. However, this could also be because of other factors like exercise or improperly fitting footwear. To get your ingrown toenail treated, you should be seen by a licensed podiatrist. To schedule your consultation with a podiatrist, give us a call at (424)-299-4627 or visit our website for more information.