If you’re dealing with thick or fat toenails, you know how uncomfortable and even painful they can be. You may be wondering how to cut them properly to relieve the discomfort and prevent future issues. Fortunately, there are simple steps you can follow to make the process easier and safer.
First, it’s important to use the right tools for the job. Nail clippers or manicure scissors are the best options, and you’ll want to choose a pair that is sharp and easy to handle. You may also want to consider using a nail file to smooth out rough edges after you’ve trimmed your nails. It’s important to avoid using regular scissors or other sharp objects, as they can damage your nails and increase the risk of infection.
Why Cut Fat Toenails?
If you have thick or fat toenails, you may wonder why it’s important to cut them. While it may seem like a minor issue, leaving fat toenails untrimmed can lead to several problems. In this section, we’ll explore the benefits of cutting fat toenails and the risks of not doing so.
Here are the seven best ways how to cut them:
1. Use Clippers
Using specialized nail clippers designed for thick toenails is the easiest way to cut thick and difficult toenails. These can be found in any drugstore or beauty supply store, and they usually come with curved blades and ergonomic handles to provide greater control when cutting nails. When using these clippers, it is important to cut the nails straight across and avoid rounding the corners of the nails, as rounded corners can lead to ingrown toenails.
2. File with an Emery Board
An emery board is a coarse file used for smoothing down the rough edges of fingernails and toenails. It is best used on soft nails, but it can also be used on thickened or discolored nails. To use the emery board, start at one end of the nail and gently move back and forth in one direction until achieving the desired length. Make sure not to file too much; otherwise, you risk damaging your nail bed in the process.
3. Soak Your Feet
Soaking your feet in warm water before cutting your thick nails will soften them, making them easier to trim without putting too much pressure on them, which could cause pain or injury due to their increased thickness. For a more intense soak, consider adding some Epsom salt into the water, which helps reduce swelling and soften skin tissue around your toes, making it easier for you to navigate through cutting thick nails safely without causing damage or pain.
4. Use a Dremel Tool
A Dremel tool consists of a small rotary tool with various attachments that are designed specifically for filing nails. These attachments range from rough grinding stones for thicker calluses all the way up to finer sanding disks for smoothing out hard-to-reach areas of your nails, such as under the tips or along the sides (where ingrown hairs tend to grow).
The main advantage of this tool is that it allows you a great level of precision while keeping your hands far away from any potential injury due to its long handle design, which makes it easy to maneuver. For thick nails, use the grinding stones attachment and gently shape your nails until you achieve the desired length. Make sure to avoid going too deep into the nail bed, or else you risk damaging it in the process.
5. Use a Nail Nipper
Nail nippers are specialized tools used for cutting thick nails. They look like scissors but have wider blades with curved edges that allow them to get under thicker portions of nails and clip them off easily without causing any injury or pain. It is important to only use these on dry nails as wet nails can slip in between the blades causing injury or even infection due to their sharp edges slicing through the skin instead of just nail material. To use a nipper, hold it parallel to the nail bed and cut across the top of the nail. Never attempt to use these on ingrown nails, as this can easily cause further damage and cause infection.
6. Use a Nail Trimmer
A nail trimmer is another tool similar in shape to clippers but has a broader, flatter blade that allows it to easily make wider cuts through thickened nails. The main advantage of this tool is that it helps keep your hands away from the nail itself, so you don’t have to worry about potential injury due to its long handle design. To use one, hold it parallel to your nail bed and trim down in small strokes, starting at one end and moving towards the other until achieving the desired length. Be sure not to cut too short, or else you risk damaging the nail bed in the process.
7. Apply Moisturizer
Finally, applying a good moisturizer after trimming thick nails is important as this helps keep them hydrated and prevents them from becoming dry, brittle, and prone to cracking. A good cream-based moisturizer should do the trick! Just apply a small amount on your fingertips and massage it into your nails until fully absorbed. Doing this regularly will help ensure that your nails stay in great condition, even if they are specially thickened due to fungal infections or other medical conditions.
PRO TIP: If you struggle with fat toenails, get a pedicure!
How to get rid of hard toenails
Hard toenails are uncomfortable! Luckily, you don’t have to live with them. Here are a few tips to help you get rid of hard toenails:
1. Soak in Warm Saline Water
One of the most effective natural remedies for hard-toe nails is to soak them in warm, saline water. This method helps soften and remove the dead skin that has formed around the toenails, making them easier to trim and file. To prepare a saline solution, mix one teaspoon of table salt into one cup of warm water until it dissolves completely. Soaking your toes for 15-20 minutes twice a week can help provide relief from hard toenails.
2. Use A Nail File
Regular filing of the nails can help keep them from becoming too thick and hard due to fungal nail infections or other reasons. Filing should be done with a coarse-textured emery board or metal file, taking care not to damage the cuticles or surrounding skin. As an added benefit, the filing also helps keep the nails looking their best by giving them a neat and clean appearance.
3. Apply Vitamin E Oil
Vitamin E oil can help nourish and moisturize hard toenails while softening them at the same time. Simply massage a few drops of vitamin E oil onto your toes after soaking or bathing each day or night before going to bed, wearing socks afterward if needed. In addition, vitamin E capsules are also available as an oral supplement that can help improve nail health from within and on the surface.
4. Wear Comfortable Shoes
Lastly, wearing shoes that provide proper support and are not too tight or loose is important. Wearing shoes that do not fit properly can contribute to hard toenails by rubbing against them and irritating the surrounding skin. Make sure to always check your feet after wearing different types of footwear in order to ensure a comfortable fit.
By following these simple steps, you can help reduce the discomfort caused by hard-toe nails while keeping them looking healthy and attractive. It’s also important to remember that prevention is key, so avoiding conditions like fungal nail infections will help keep your toes looking their best!
5. Use Moisturizers
Using moisturizers on your toes daily can also be beneficial for keeping nails healthy and soft. Natural moisturizers such as coconut oil, shea butter, or jojoba oil are known to be particularly effective at hydrating skin and cuticles around the nails. Additionally, look for products that contain urea or lactic acid, which can help exfoliate dead skin cells while providing additional moisture.
6. See Your Doctor
If you’re experiencing a thickening of your toenails due to a fungal infection or other health issue, it is important to seek medical advice from your doctor in order to determine the best course of treatment. Treatment options may include prescription medications, topical creams, and ointments, or laser therapy, depending on the cause and severity of your condition.
Interesting read: How Often Should You Get a Pedicure?
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my fat toenail hurt?
Fungal infections, trauma to the nail, or medical conditions such as psoriasis can cause fat toenails. If your fat toenail is painful and does not improve with home treatment, it’s important to see a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
How do I know if I have hard toenails?
Hard toenails are typically characterized by thickening and discoloration of the nails. If you notice any changes in your toenails, it’s important to have them checked out by a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Why are my toenails getting thick?
Thickening of toenails can be caused by fungal infections, certain medical conditions, or trauma to the nail. If you notice your toenails getting thicker, a doctor must check them out for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Conclusion
Hard toenails can be uncomfortable and unattractive, but with the help of proper care and treatment, they can become healthy once again. Regular filing, moisturizing, wearing comfortable shoes, and seeking medical attention if necessary are all important steps for helping to reduce discomfort and improving overall nail health. With regular maintenance and proper care, hard toenails can look as good as new!