Toenail care is simple, but small mistakes cause painful problems. Cutting nails too short or rounding the corners is the most common cause of ingrown toenails. Damp feet and tight shoes encourage fungal infections and thickened nails. A few minutes every few weeks keeps toenails comfortable.
How to trim toenails
- Choose a good moment. After a bath or shower, nails are softer and easier to cut. If your nails are thin and tear easily, cut them dry instead.
- Use toenail clippers. They are larger and stronger than fingernail clippers. See Nail Clippers vs Scissors: Which Tool Fits Your Needs?.
- Cut straight across. Do not curve the cut down into the corners.
- Do not cut too short. Leave the nail level with the tip of the toe, with a little white edge showing.
- Make several small cuts across the nail, not one large one, to avoid splitting it.
- Smooth the corners lightly with a file, so that they do not catch on socks. Do not file them away.
Most people need to trim toenails every four to eight weeks.
Why straight across matters
When the corner of a nail is cut away or rounded deeply, the skin can fold over the gap and the nail edge may grow into it. An ingrown toenail is red, swollen and painful, and it can become infected. Straight cutting keeps the corners sitting above the skin.
Thick toenails
Toenails often thicken with age, after injury or because of a fungal infection.
- Soak your feet in warm water for 10 minutes before trimming.
- Applying a cream containing urea beforehand can soften thick nails.
- Cut in small steps, starting at one corner.
- File the surface gently to reduce thickness, if this is comfortable.
- If you cannot cut them safely, see a podiatrist.
A nail that is thick, discolored and crumbly may have a fungal infection. See Nail Fungus: Signs and Why Diagnosis Matters.
Daily foot hygiene
- Wash your feet every day with soap and water.
- Dry them thoroughly, especially between the toes.
- Change socks daily, and choose materials that take moisture away from the skin.
- Rotate your shoes, so that each pair has a day to dry out.
- Wear sandals or flip-flops in communal showers, changing rooms and around pools.
- Clean under the nail edge gently with a soft brush. Do not dig with sharp tools.
Shoes that protect toenails
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| A thumb's width of space beyond the longest toe | Prevents the nail from hitting the end of the shoe |
| A wide enough toe box | Stops toes being squeezed together |
| A secure heel and laces or straps | Keeps the foot from sliding forward |
| Breathable materials | Reduce sweat |
Runners and walkers often get bruised, black toenails from repeated pressure. Shoes that fit, and nails kept short, prevent most of them. See Foot Care for Walking, Work, and Exercise.
Polish on toenails
Toenail polish can stay on for several weeks, which hides the nail. Take it off at least once a month, look at the bare nails and leave them unpolished for a few days. Always use a base coat to prevent staining.
Moisturize, but not between the toes
Apply cream to the tops and soles of your feet and around the nails. Keep the spaces between the toes dry. See How to Moisturize Your Feet.
Looking after an early ingrown toenail
If a corner is just starting to feel sore:
- Soak the foot in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes, a few times a day.
- Dry it well.
- Wear roomy shoes or sandals.
- Do not cut down the side of the nail or dig at it.
See a doctor or podiatrist if it is very painful, swollen, hot, oozing or not improving within a few days.
People who need extra care
If you have diabetes, poor circulation or reduced feeling in your feet, check your feet every day, and have your toenails cut by a podiatrist if you cannot see or reach them well. Seek advice quickly about any cut, sore or ingrown nail.
When to see a professional
- An ingrown toenail that is infected or keeps coming back.
- A thick, discolored or crumbling nail.
- A dark patch under the nail without an injury.
- Pain, swelling or a nail that is lifting.
For a full foot routine with soaking and polish, see How to Do a Pedicure at Home.
Related on ArniSun
- How to Do a Pedicure at Home
- Nail Fungus: Signs and Why Diagnosis Matters
- How to Moisturize Your Feet
- Foot Care for Walking, Work, and Exercise
- Nail Clippers vs Scissors: Which Tool Fits Your Needs?
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
Should toenails be cut wet or dry?
Thick nails are easier to cut when softened after a bath. Thin or fragile nails are less likely to tear when cut dry.
How short should I cut my toenails?
Level with the end of the toe, leaving a small white edge. Cutting shorter increases the risk of ingrown nails.
Can I treat an ingrown toenail at home?
A mild one may settle with warm soaks and roomy shoes. See a doctor or podiatrist if there is pus, spreading redness or severe pain, or if you have diabetes.