The Proper Way to Cut Toenails

Properly cutting your toenails is crucial for healthy, beautiful toes.

While good grooming is probably top on your list, you may not have the time or money for constant trips to the nail salon. Perform nail care at home, but know the proper ways to do so. Cutting your toenails requires certain steps to avoid ingrown nails, infections and unattractive toes. Everydayhealth.com mentions that ingrown toenails -- one of the leading causes of foot pain -- are caused by improper trimming that results in toenails growing into the side of the toe. The next time you have a few minutes at home, grab your nail clippers and treat your toes to some healthy clipping.

Things You'll Need

• Toenail clippers
• Cuticle stick
• Nail file
• Newspaper

Instructions

1. Place newspaper on the floor or surface beneath the area where you will be cutting your toenails. The paper will catch the nail trimmings and keep your home clean. Use a towel or tissue if newspaper is unavailable.

2. Use your toenail clippers to cut one toenail at a time, making a few small cuts, instead of one big cut. Cut straight across to avoid edges digging into the sides, which can cause ingrown toenails.

3. Gently push your cuticles back and down with your cuticle stick. You can also use your cuticle stick to clean underneath your toenails and gently clear out the edges and corners.

4. File your toenails, sliding your nail file across each nail in one direction to smooth out the edges and reach your desired toenail length. Filing in two directions can cause splitting of your nails.

5. Pick up the newspaper, towel or tissue with your toenail clippings and throw it away.

Tips & Warnings

• For best toenail-cutting results, use a larger nail clipper and not the smaller ones available for fingernails. Nail scissors are more apt to bend, causing tearing of your nails. Also, only trim or cut your toenails when they are dry. If you have thicker toenails, file them instead of cutting them. Everyone's nail-growth rate is different, but if you start to feel your toenails rubbing against the inside of your shoe, it's time to break out the clippers.

• Everydayhealth.com warns against cutting your toenails too short because this can lead to possible ingrown nails and infections. To avoid bacterial infections, keep your toenail clippers clean and disinfected with alcohol. Do not use cuticle cutters or attempt to clip or cut your cuticles; just use the cuticle stick. Cutting your cuticles can cause infection and/or bleeding.

References

• Everydayhealth.com
• Beauty.indobase.com

Resources

• Emedicinehealth.com