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As a podiatrist, each and every day I'm asked what's the best way to
trim my nails? Straight across? Curve the edges? Since
we're all individuals, there's really no universal answer to this
question.
Improper trimming of the nail can result in a number of foot problems, first
and foremost ingrown nails. Most ingrown
nails (paronychia) result from partial or incomplete trimming of the
nail. A common mistake is to trim the nail to the corner and tear the nail
away. Tearing the nail often leaves a small spike of nail along the outer
margin of the nail. Slowly the nail continues to grow and push the spike
forward. The spike begins to act like a foreign object, just like a
splinter. As the nail grows the splinter becomes increasingly imbedded in
the skin resulting in an infection. Surgical correction of an ingrown nail
is usually a matter of removing the little spike that's causing pain and a
foreign body reaction (infection).
Who gets ingrown nails and why? You have to wonder why the most common
ingrown nail patients are teenage boys and pregnant women. Teenage boys
aren't particularly concerned about hygiene. They're also prone to more
trauma to the nail from sports. Pregnant woman find that with each month
of their pregnancy their arms get shorter and their legs get longer resulting an
an inability to care for their feet. Additional contributing factors to
ingrown nails include a tight toe box on the shoe, trauma to the nail, diseases
of the nail and a host of other causes.
The key to successful nail trimming is to be sure you trim the nail regularly
and completely. Be sure to round the edges using a file, checking for the
little spikes. Smooth the edges of the nail to prevent the nail from
catching on hose or socks. The rate of growth of the nail is very slow so
that once every 4-6 weeks should be sufficient to keep the nails well trimmed
and healthy. When trimming the nails, take the opportunity to check
between the toes for fungal infections. Fungal infections of the skin will
slowly infect the nail resulting in toe nail fungus. |
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Anatomy:
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Differential Diagnosis:
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Products Recommended for Toe Nail Trimming:
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This article was written by Jeffrey A. Oster, DPM and last updated 7/05/07.
No additional information is available for this topic. |
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conclusion of this article you'll find a number of products that are
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cut toe nail,cut toe nails,how to cut toe nail,ingrown nail,nail,nail trimming,onychomycosis,toe nail,toe nail cutting |
