Buzz
When you're faced with nail fungus, your toenails can become thicker, making them more challenging to trim. We understand the importance of avoiding nail damage and fungus spread. Thankfully, with the right tools and techniques, you can still maintain great-looking nails. Continue reading to discover how to soften and trim your nails effectively while preventing the spread of fungus.
Essential Information
- To soften your nails before trimming, soak them in warm water for 10 minutes. Alternatively, apply a urea cream.
- Use nail nippers to make small straight cuts across your nails, preventing breakage.
- Smooth any sharp edges using a nail file or emery board to prevent snagging.
- If trimming causes discomfort or if you can't cut through them, consult a doctor.
Steps to Follow
Methods to Soften & Thin Thick Toenails
Soak your toenails in warm water for approximately 10 minutes. Fill a basin or a large bowl with warm water and immerse your toes in it. The warmth and moisture will aid in softening your toenails, reducing the risk of breakage during trimming. After about 10 minutes, pat your nails dry to prepare for cutting.
- Alternatively, consider trimming your nails right after showering when they are already softened.
- If your toenails are exceptionally thick due to fungus, extend the soaking time to up to 30 minutes for deeper penetration of moisture.
- To facilitate cutting, add 1 teaspoon (6 g) of salt for every 1 US pint (470 ml) of water used for the foot soak if your nails are particularly tough.
Use urea cream and a file to soften and gently scrape your nails. Urea cream deeply penetrates the nail surface, softening it. Apply a fingertip-sized amount of the cream to your nails and cover them with a bandage. Leave the cream on for up to 24 hours to soften the nails, then lightly scrape the surface with a nail file to remove some of the fungus.
- You may need to apply the urea cream nightly for several days until your nails become sufficiently soft.
- Exercise caution to avoid applying excessive pressure while filing the nail surface. Cease filing immediately if you experience any discomfort.
Reduce the thickness of extremely thick nails using an electric file. An electric file features a rotating abrasive head that grinds down the nail surface, making it thinner and easier to cut. Prior to use, soak or soften your nails to facilitate grinding. Turn on the electric file and gently move the spinning head over your toenails, exerting light pressure to remove up to half of the nail's thickness.
- If you feel heat or discomfort, discontinue the use of the electric file immediately to prevent nail damage.
Trimming Fungal Toenails
Utilize nail nippers designed for toenail cutting. Thick nails may pose difficulty for regular clippers, so opt for nippers. Resembling scissors, nippers feature a robust blade, facilitating the cutting of fungal toenails.
- Avoid using small clippers meant for fingernails, as they may not effectively cut through thick toenails.
- Since fungus is contagious, refrain from sharing your nail nippers with others.
Clip your nails straight across using short, precise cuts. Commence cutting from the outer corner of your nail, making brief horizontal cuts across the top. Ensure your toenails are slightly shorter than your toe ends. Maintain straight edges to prevent ingrown nails.
- Trim through the white tip of your nail to avoid reaching the nail bed inadvertently.
File your nails with a file or emery board. After trimming fungal toenails, gently smooth the edges using a file or emery board. File in one direction to prevent nail cracking or fraying. Cease filing once the edges feel smooth.
- Filing prevents nail snagging on socks, reducing the risk of irritation or injury.
Trim your nails every 6–8 weeks. Toenails grow approximately 2 millimeters (0.079 inches) monthly, requiring less frequent cutting than fingernails. Trim them once they extend beyond your toe ends to minimize snagging.
Halting the Spread of Nail Fungus
Begin by cutting healthy toenails before those affected by fungus. Using nippers contaminated with fungus can spread the infection. Prioritize nails without signs of fungus, and use separate clippers for fingernails to prevent cross-contamination.
- Employ a distinct pair of clippers for fingernails to prevent the spread of toenail fungus.
Sterilize your nippers with rubbing alcohol before and after each use. After trimming thick, fungal toenails, cleanse nippers with soapy water, then wipe down with rubbing alcohol to eliminate bacteria. Regularly sanitize nippers to prevent bacterial accumulation between uses.
- Alternatively, utilize a disinfectant like Barbicide formulated for killing fungus on nail care tools.
Dispose of any wooden or cardboard files used. Dust from nails can carry fungus, contaminating disposable files. Discard used files and replace them with new ones for future use.
- For metal or glass files, disinfect with rubbing alcohol before reuse.
Consult your doctor promptly for fungus removal and treatment. Treating toe fungus independently can be challenging. Alert your doctor upon noticing changes in nail appearance for prescription of oral or topical medication to eliminate the fungus and restore nail health.
- If trimming thick toenails causes discomfort, or if they're too thick to cut yourself, seek assistance from your doctor.
- While over-the-counter nail fungus removers may help, they might not fully eradicate the fungus.
- If experiencing swelling, pain, or difficulty walking, consult your doctor immediately.
Pointers
-
Wear fresh socks and comfortable footwear daily to prevent the spread or growth of fungus.
-
Maintain cleanliness and dryness for your feet and toenails to reduce the likelihood of further fungal development.
Cautions
- Avoid trimming or pushing your cuticles back as they serve as a barrier against additional nail infections.
- Nail fungus may spread to the skin between toes, the groin, or scalp. Wash your hands after nail trimming to manage fungal growth.
