Most of us probably don’t put a lot of thought into cutting our toenails. Every so often you might notice your toenails are catching on your socks, or they might be starting to look a bit unsightly, so you grab a pair of clippers and have a quick tidy-up. But what if your toenails are thick and tough?
How to cut thick toenails at home?
To tackle tough toenails, start by soaking your feet in warm water for five to 10 minutes to soften the toenails.
Then use a pair of clippers designed specifically for tackling the thicker nails on your toes, such as SwissKlip Heavy Duty Toenail Clippers.
Start at the corner of the nail and make a series of small cuts to prevent the nail from splintering.
In this article, we will explore in more detail the best tools and techniques for keeping on top of tough toenails.
What is the best tool for cutting thick toenails?
It is vital to use purpose-made toenail clippers. Fingernail clippers are designed for smaller nails, so will often have a tighter curve than you would want for your toenails, which should be cut straight to avoid painful ingrowing toenails.
Look for toenail clippers for thick curved toenails with handles that are designed to be held in the whole hand, rather than just with your fingertips, allowing you to get a firmer, stronger grip.
Toenail Clippers for thick toe nails have large, ergonomically designed handles, making them the ideal choice.
For those who are wondering how to cut thick toenails with fungus, there are specially designed toenail clippers with a number of other features that make them perfect for this purpose.
They have laser-cut curved blades which are designed for precision trimming and are double-sharpened so they will cut through even the thickest nails with ease.
They are also made from surgical-grade stainless steel, making them durable and long-lasting, plus the jaws open extra-wide, which means they can tackle even the thickest toenails with ease.
What’s the best technique for cutting thick toenails?
How to trim thick toenails? It is best to start from one corner and make small cuts. This helps to avoid splitting or splintering the nail. When trimming thick toenails it is important to cut the nail straight across, as a curved edge can encourage painful ingrowing toenails to form.
After trimming your nails, it’s a good idea to use an emery board to sand away any rough edges. Thickened toenails are often caused by a fungal infection, so it’s also a good idea to use an anti-fungal treatment.
Why do toenails get thick?
Toenails can become thicker for several reasons. They tend to get thicker as we age. Another cause can be trauma, such as an accident that causes damage to a toe, or wearing shoes that are too tight around the toes.
Fungal nail infections are also a common cause of thickened toenails, and for that there are thick toenail treatments.
It is particularly important to keep your toenail clippers clean, have your very own personal toenail clipper and avoid sharing them with other people.
After use, you should disinfect your clippers by wiping them with rubbing alcohol or diluted bleach, though do ensure your clippers are dry before putting them away to avoid rusting.
You should also avoid using the same clippers to trim your fingernails and toenails, and you shouldn’t share clippers between family members, as both of these can cause infection to spread.
How can I improve the appearance of thick toenails?
Another useful tool is a nail grinding tool. This can be used after cutting thick toenails to give them a thinner, more natural appearance. Simply select the correct attachment, then apply gentle pressure to the nail and grind until the nail reaches a normal thickness.
If the nail starts to get warm, which may happen if it is particularly thick, it’s best to stop the treatment and continue later in the day or the next day.
Why should you soak your feet before cutting thick toenails?
Generally speaking, it is better to cut your nails when they are dry, as wet nails can be trickier to trim, being prone to tearing, bending or splitting. However, if your toenails are particularly thick, it is a good idea to soak them first to help soften them.
Some people will find their toenails are sufficiently soft after a shower, while others may choose to trim their toenails straight after a bath. Alternatively, you could soak your feet in a basin of warm water for five to 10 minutes.
If you’ve got the time to pamper yourself, you could add Epsom salts or aromatherapy oils to the water, or maybe even dim the lights and light a few candles to really get into the spirit!
However you choose to soak your toenails, make sure you dry your feet thoroughly afterwards with a towel, carefully drying in between the toes.
Do you need to be careful when cutting thick toenails?
Toenail clippers have to be sharp to cut through the thicker nails on your toes, so anyone should take care when cutting their toenails. However, those with thick toenails will probably find they need to apply a bit more pressure, so take particular care not to damage the surrounding skin.
In addition to this, people with diabetes, those with poor circulation, those with reduced sensation in their feet, those who bleed excessively and those who take a long time to heal should be particularly careful.
Are thick toenails a problem for the elderly?
Toenails can become thicker as we age, so thicker toenails are often an issue for the elderly, who may have mobility issues that make it more difficult for them to reach their toenails, or who might find it difficult to grip toenail clippers effectively.
SwissKlip Heavy Duty Toenail Clippers are perfect for this, as the large handles are designed to be held in the palm rather than in the fingers, making it easier to achieve the greater pressure needed to tackle thick toenails. The handles are large and ergonomically designed, plus they are made from a non-slip material, making them much easier to hold on to.