How To Cut Toenails With Fungus

Why Does This Condition Develop

The responsible microorganisms in this case are yeasts, molds, and fungi known as dermatophytes. They are typically found in environments that are warm and damp. Dermatophytes can thrive in the dark and do not require sunlight to survive.

If we take a moment to consider the ideal environment for funguswarm, damp, and darkit can almost perfectly describe a foot encased in a sock and shoe .

When the conditions are right, the offensive fungus will attach to unprotected feet. From there, it usually requires a cut or abrasion of some sort to nestle in and make itself at home. Given the microscopic nature of these fungal spores, the cut doesnt have to be particularly great in sizeeven tiny ones allow microorganisms to enter.

When Should I Call The Doctor

In rare cases, toenail fungus can cause an infection called cellulitis. Without prompt treatment, cellulitis may pose a serious danger to your health.

You should seek treatment guidance from a trusted healthcare provider if you have:

• Circulation problems.
• Redness, pain or pus near the toenail.
• Weakened immune system.

Fungal Toenails Prevention Tips

To avoid getting a fungal infection, its important that you wash your feet daily with soap and water, making sure to get in between your toes, and dry the feet well. When cutting your toenails, make sure the clippers youre using are clean and that youre cutting straight across. Its also important that you wear shoes in areas where fungus can thrive, such as wet public places like swimming pools or locker rooms.

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How Are Fungal Toenails Treated

As a starting point, we have to mention that you can find over-the-counter products that advertise as being able to help with this condition. The fact of the matter, though, is that they are not effective.

Many of those OTC use natural ingredients that arent proven to work. When you want the fungus to be eradicated, you need the right kind of medication, which is where our office can help.

Dr. Scudday can prescribe oral and topical medications to target the fungus and restore your nails back to a healthy, clear state.

The oral medications target the infection from the inside-out. They travel through the bloodstream and can reach dermatophytes residing underneath nail tissue. Conversely, topical medication is applied to affected toenails and works to eradicate fungus residing on the surface.

If you have a case of fungal toenails, come in and see Dr. Scudday for treatment at the earliest opportunity. The infection will only continue to worsen the longer it is left untreated.

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Are There Any Side Effects

When using creams like these side effects are relatively low. But people with sensitive skin may experience an allergic reaction to the ingredients. The most common symptoms you may experience are:

• Stinging
• Mild itching

If you experience any serious allergic reaction after using treatment, i strongly recommend that you contact your doctor immediately.

What Should I Ask My Healthcare Provider About Toenail Fungus

If you have toenail fungus, you may find it helpful to ask your provider:

• What type of infection do I have?
• Do you recommend I treat it? Why or why not?
• How long will I need treatment?
• What steps can I take to stop it from coming back?
• Should I be aware of any potentially serious complications or treatment side effects?

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Toenail fungus is an incredibly common infection that can be difficult to treat. The condition usually isnt painful, but it may make you feel self-conscious about how your foot looks. If it bothers you, talk to your provider about your treatment options. A trained specialist can provide guidance on whats most likely to address your concerns while protecting your overall health.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 12/17/2020.

References

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Keep Your Fungal Nail Trimming Equipment Separate

Nail clippers and other equipment that comes in contact with fungal areas are not objects that should be used anywhere else, or for anyone else. Doing so invites a greater chance for a fungus to be carried from one set of nails to another.

This is not just a warning against sharing toenail trimmers between family members you should also not use that set of trimmers on your fingernails, either! It is quite possible for a fungal infection to be transferred from toenails to fingernails, and you cant exactly hide the latter in a pair of socks all day.

Similarly, only use proper trimming equipment on your toes. Using smaller fingernail clippers not only increases the risk of transferring the fungus if you slip up, they are likely also not going to work very well.

It is also wise to regularly disinfect your equipment, just in case. A soak of a few minutes in rubbing alcohol or diluted bleach will do the trickjust make sure to completely dry any metal parts to avoid rusting. Also make sure all nail debris and matter is cleaned off.

Caring For Your Toenails

Caring for your toenails is just as important as caring for your fingernails. Whilst they might not be as immediately visible well cared for toenails make your feet more comfortable and prevent problems such as fungal nail infections.

Caring For Your Cuticles

Some aspects of caring for your toenails are very obvious, such as cutting them properly, others are less so. The duticles on your toenails need just as much care as those on your fingernails. There is a temptation to just cut them away, this is not a good idea better to leave them untouched. Just as you would with your fingers, apply a good cuticle cream or foot cream and when they have softened push them gently back with a properly shaped stick. Dont push them back too hard or too far or you can cause them to tear which can lead to infections.

Cutting Your Toenails

Nails should be cut straight across using well maintained sharp clippers. The best time to clip them is when the nails are softer as they are following a bath or foot soak. If you want them to be slightly curved then you should gently round off the edges using an emery board, but always cut straight and finish with an emery board.

If you have difficulty cutting your toenails, or you have underlying foot conditions or fungal infection, it is better to have your nails cut by a Podiatrist. Incorrect cutting will cause further problems which can be very painful.

How Long Should Toenails Be?

Using Nail Polish

Toenail Fungus

Ingrown Toenails

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Instructions To Trim Thick Toenails: 6

First, get the right tools. This is critical the right tools make for an easy job clipping even the thickest nails

The products below are the ones we recommend to our patients and they are also affiliate links so we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you if your order from the link.

• Nail Grinding Tool: The most effective one we have found is the Beurer Electric Nail and Foot Care Kit a podiatry-grade electric nail grinder and thinning tool. It comes with bits specifically made to work on thick toenails. The large cone, small cone, and disc bits are made from long lasting sapphire and diamond chips. We have tried many of these units over the years and this is best one we have found and the one we recommend to our patients. The video below shows how to use the Pedinova Nail Grinder.

• Heavy duty podiatry-grade toenail clippers: We recommend ClipPro nail clippers for our patients.

  Figure 2

  The ClipPro Toenail Clipper is the best consumer nail clipper we have found for extra thick and irregular nails. Its jaw opens up to over 1 wide and the top of blades is slightly curved to contour around your nails. It is very easy to maneuver and provides a clean and smooth cut. Only use professional grade toenail clippers like these for thick nails dont try to thin thick toenails with fingernail clippers. Its usually more painful as they just dont cut these thick nails very well and you end up kind of gnawing at the nail with the nippers.

What Is Toenail Fungus

Toenail fungus is a widespread fungal infection that affects the toenails. Less commonly, nail fungus infects the fingernails. Nail fungus is also called onychomycosis.

Toenail fungus happens when fungi get between the toenail and the toenail bed . This usually happens through a crack or cut in your toe.

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What Happens If The Fungus Is Left Untreated

Hard fungal nails will need to be trimmed frequently in accordance with good hygiene practices. Long nails can pose many issues for health. For example, overly long toenails can harbor bacteria under them that can lead to other infections. Extremely long toenails will also increase the risk of forming ingrown toenails. Long toenails break very easily, and broken toenails tend to have jagged edges that tear into the skin of the toe easily. Long toenails are also often uncomfortable and push up against the shoe as you walk and stand. Excessively long toenails will be detrimental to your toe and nail health down the line.

For patients with hard fungal nails, letting the nail grow out may seem inevitable or unavoidable. Sometimes getting nail clippers to trim the nail effectively can be impossible because the fungus can make the nails hard to cut through. Even if the fungus isnt making the nail become harder, the nail can still become thickened because of toenail fungus. Nail clippers may not even fit over nails that have become excessively thick.

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How To Cut Toenails With Fungus

Cutting toenails with fungus is similar to the process for cutting thick toenails. If you leave the fungus untreated, your nails will continue to thicken and might get to a thickness that requires some additional action including:

• medical-grade toenail clippers, as standard clippers may not be able to cut all the way through and can slip off the nail and cut your skin
• longer foot soak
• clipper disinfection using alcohol or diluted bleach

If you think that you have a fungal infection, make an appointment to see your doctor.

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How To Cut Your Toenails To Avoid Ingrown Toenails

Chances are you havent given your toes much thought today. That is unless youre dealing with an ingrown toenail. When the edge of a toenail starts growing into the surrounding flesh, you may develop a painful problem thats hard to ignore.

While some ingrown toenail issues respond to home care, serious cases may need the attention of a specialist. Dr. Errol Gindi and the team at his podiatry practice can help ease your foot pain. In the meantime, heres what you need to know to avoid an ingrown toenail disaster.

Having Someone Help Cut Your Nails

People who do not know how to cut toenails because they cant reach them can get them cut by seeking help.

Most people who seek other peoples services are the elderly and those with disabilities that make it hard to cut the nails.

Ensure that you find someone who understands how to cut the nails safely.

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Preventing Fungal Nail Infection

Studies suggest that in about 1 in 4 cases where the fungal nail infection has been cleared from the nail, the infection returns within three years. One way to help prevent a further bout of nail infection is to treat athlete’s foot as early as possible to stop the infection spreading to the nail. Athlete’s foot is common and may recur from time to time. It is easy to treat with an antifungal cream which you can buy from pharmacies, or obtain on prescription. The first sign of athlete’s foot is itchy and scaling skin between the toes. See the separate leaflet called Athlete’s Foot for more details. Also:

• Try to avoid injury to nails, which may increase the risk of developing a nail infection.
• Wear footwear such as flip-flops in public places, such as communal bathing/shower places, locker rooms, etc.
• Avoid towel sharing.
• Consider replacing old footwear, as this could be contaminated with fungal spores.

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Nail Fungal Infection Treatment

Prescription medicines can treat a fungal nail infection. Oral antifungal medicines help a new nail grow. This will replace the infected nail. You may need to take antifungal medicine for 6 to 12 weeks. Some oral medicines are not safe for people who have liver problems. They are not safe for people who have a history of congestive heart failure. Tell your doctor if you have one of these conditions. Your doctor will decide which medicine is right for you.

Apply topical treatments to the top of your nail. Topical medicines usually do not cure fungal nail infections.

In severe cases, a doctor might remove the nail completely. It can take several months to a year for the infection to go away.

What Can Be Done At Home

Softening hard fungal nails is essential to their regular maintenance so that you can avoid the functional difficulties of a very hard or thick nail. The only way to permanently fix a nail that has become thickened or hardened from toenail fungus is to fix the fungal infection itself. However, there are simple ways to help maintenance in the meantime. Using a foot soak to soften nails is an accessible and effective way to groom hard nails. This is an easy method that can be done at home.

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Dont Wear Sweaty Shoes And Socks

Of course, warm, humid, and dark environment doesnt just describe locker rooms. Its also a pretty good description of the inside of a pair of shoes that hasnt gotten a chance to dry out properly!

If you want to avoid making your own footwear a safe harbor for fungi, make sure you change out sweaty shoes and socks as soon as they become damp.

Picking fabrics that are breathable and moisture-wicking in the first place, as well as making sure they fit properly, can give you a big advantage in this regard as well.

Shoes should also be rotated, so that you dont wear the same pair two days in a row. This gives them a minimum of 24-plus hours to dry out before you put your feet back in. For extra protection, apply some antifungal powder to your shoes each evening.

The Initial Causes How To Cut Toenails With Fungus

If you suspect that your nails are infected with fungus, it is best to consult your doctor and get a diagnosis. Your doctor will ask you about the symptoms and conduct a thorough examination of your nails. A biopsy is required to determine the cause of the infection. Various types of fungus are found in the skin, including the toenails. Among the most common forms of nail fungus are yellow and black, with white patches surrounded by dark brown or white spots.

The infection is caused by fungus. It can spread to the skin and other parts of the body. It is very common to find a nail fungus on the foot in elderly people, and it is often not treated until the condition gets worse. The disease can even be spread to the skin. The afflicted person should see a doctor immediately if they notice any changes in the color of his or her nails.

Nail fungus can occur in the toenails. The infection occurs due to a variety of factors, including excessive moisture, soaking your hands in water, and a lack of hygiene. If the afflicted person is prone to infection, the fungus will grow in the toenails and may spread to other parts of the body. Consequently, it is essential to prevent the nail fungus from spreading to the skin

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