Thursday, October 28, 2010

Avoid Ingrown Toenails

Although some people are naturally prone to ingrown toenails, others get them due to improper nail grooming. A few simple changes in the way you clip and manicure your toenails will help you avoid ingrown toenails altogether.








Instructions


1. Clean your toenails and all of the surrounding area. Working with a clean surface ensures you get better results and prevents and fungus or infection from spreading.








2. Use the correct toenail clippers to cut straight across the nail. This prevents the corners of the nails from being cut too short, which is a leading cause of ingrown toenails.


3. File any jagged edges with a nail file. If you absolutely must file the corners, do so but very file them lightly and not too short.


4. Wear the correct size shoes. Shoes that are too tight in the front or on the side cause toenails to stop growing in the correct direction. Instead, they grow into the skin, better known as an ingrown toenail.


5. Once you are done clipping and filing, slather your feet with a moisturizing lotion. This final step keeps your feet soft, and makes your toenails softer so they won't be as hard to clip or file next time.

Tags: ingrown toenails, your toenails, your feet