How to Care for Toenails

Overview

According to Foot.com, the foot health network, as many as 5 percent of people in the United States experience problems with their toenails every year. Problems involving the toenails may include ingrown nails and infections that cause pain, discoloration and crumbling of the nails. Learning the proper way to care for toenails can help prevent pesky toenail problems.

Step 1

Dry your feet, toes and toenails with a soft towel thoroughly after bathing or participating in sports or other activities that leave your feet sweaty. Fungal infections of the toenails flourish in moist environments and feed on bacteria that may be present after perspiring.

Step 2

Check your toenails daily for dirt or other debris, especially in the warmer months when you may wear open-toed shoes often. Use a nail brush and soap to clean your toenails on a regular basis.

Step 3

Clip your toenails with a nail clipper so that they extend just past the tips of your toes. Longer nails may break off, and shorter nails are more likely to pierce the skin of your toes, causing an ingrown toenail.

Step 4

Avoid rounding your toenails to correspond with the shape of your toes. The Mayo Clinic recommends clipping toenails straight across. Rounded toenails are more likely to embed in the corner of your toe, which may lead to pain and infection.

Step 5

Know the signs of a toenail infection and treat the condition promptly. Toenails may become brittle, appear darker in spots, thicken and crumble in response to a fungal infection. Schedule an appointment with your physician if you suspect you have a toenail infection.