For most people, cutting their toenails is about the closest they come to regular foot care. But despite how ordinary it is, there are a lot of ways it could go wrong, and that’s even more true for people who have conditions such as diabetes. At Knoxville Footcare, our podiatrists heavily value preventive care, and to protect our patients from hangnails and similar problems, we thought it would be a good idea to provide a bit of information about cutting toenails properly.
Most people cut their toenails about every six weeks. The nail is at greater risk of breaking if it extends beyond the edge of the toe, but people should never cut their nail plates (the parts that aren’t the white tips). It’s a good idea to have separate clippers for the fingernails and toenails, since toenails tend to be a bit thicker, and keeping the clippers separate reduces the risk of spreading microbes from one body part to another.
Unless a person has fungus or some other issue that makes their toenails unusually thick, it’s safer for them to cut their nails while they’re dry. Wet toenails will bend under the pressure from the clippers and can easily tear. Podiatrists also advise people to cut their toenails straight across and then file down the corners, instead of cutting the sides of the nail, as the latter will increase the risk of the nail growing into the flesh of the toe. We also advise that people never cut their cuticles. People who suffer diabetic neuropathy may never be able to cut their own toenails safely, particularly if they have vision problems, but they should inspect their feet regularly and seek professional help if they notice redness, swelling, or wounds.
Knoxville Footcare is located at 1932 Alcoa Highway Building C, Suite 480, Knoxville, Tennessee, 37920. Visit us at Knoxville Footcare or call 865-632-5700.