Toenail trimming may not seem like a big deal, but it is an important part of your foot care. It’s not something you should do every day, but you should do it the right way when the time comes. Experts suggest trimming every six to eight weeks. If you have doubts about whether you are trimming too often or not enough, contact a podiatrist.

Dr. Anant Joshi at Advanced Foot Care of NJ, LLC sees patients for a common problem, and it’s often caused by trimming troubles. Ingrown toenails happen when the growth moves into the edge of the skin. Trimming toenails too short and tearing them are among the causes. Wearing shoes that are too narrow causes the problem, too.

Think about these three things before trimming your toenails:

Should I use these clippers?

Are your clippers clean? That’s the first and most important question. They should be clean and sharp. Next, consider whether you are using the right style of clippers. Fingernail clippers are smaller than toenail clippers. It is best to use toenail clippers for the thickness of our toenails. Get the trim done the first time.

Am I trimming too often?

As mentioned above, consider six to eight weeks. If you are trimming too often, you’ll notice nails that are way too short. If you’re trimming less than recommended, you may notice your nails are starting to snag on your socks. They may even be rubbing against the inside of your shoe.

Should I wait until my nails are dry?

Yes. Trimming wet nails increases the risk of them bending or tearing. We encourage you to be gentle with your toenails. Try not to rip them off or bend them. When they are dry, this helps you trim the right way: straight across. If you are dealing with thicker than usual toenails, see a podiatrist.

It’s safe to say that no one wants to get an irritating ingrown toenail. Taking the time to clip nails properly is one of the best ways to get started. Remember to choose the right pair of clippers and only trim when necessary. Also, dry nails are best to work with for the health of your nails.

At Advanced Foot Care of NJ, LLC, Dr. Anant Joshi treats a range of conditions, including Achilles tendonitis, ankle sprains, athlete’s foot, complications from diabetes, fractures, fungal toenails, and more. He also performs foot and ankle surgery. He is a board-certified podiatrist in Woodland Park, NJ. Contact the office at 973-256-0002.