Your toenail cutting technique could be harmful, reveals expert foot doctor
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We've all experienced those moments when we discover that we've been doing everyday things wrong all our lives, only to learn the correct way later on.
It can be quite challenging for all of us who believed we had these things figured out: how much water to drink daily, the proper angle for efficient walking, and even something as simple as cutting toenails.
Believe it or not, a foot doctor who specialises in the field has recently warned against a common method of trimming toenails that could result in unpleasant and expensive consequences.
You may be thinking: it’s just trimming the toenails, simple as that. Now, here is where we do ourselves a grand disservice. It’s not ‘just’ trimming; it’s a crucial aspect of foot care that requires appropriate technique.
In an eye-opening revelation, Paul, a knowledgeable podiatrist (a medical professional specialising in treating disorders of the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg), sent a stern warning across the internet.
He said: 'If you are cutting your toenails the wrong way, then stop doing it today. If it hasn't already, it will lead to an ingrown toenail, and they can cost you hundreds to thousands of dollars!'
In an elaboration that would serve as a valuable DIY foot-care tutorial, the foot doctor explained the specifics of a potentially harmful toenail-cutting approach and demonstrated how this personal grooming task should be done correctly.
Paul's first word of caution was explicitly against cutting toenails in a rounded shape or too far into the edges. Sharing a picture of such a toenail, he explained, 'Please, please do not cut your toenails like this. It's only going to lead to more problems.'
Next, Paul demonstrated the correct technique to maintain happy, healthy toenails. He was fervently against using a nail file or scissors, favouring clippers for the job. 'Nip your nail in small clips straight across the nail,' he advised. He showed how to file the corner afterwards, recommending a downward motion filing technique to smooth away the sharp edges.
'There we go, it's as easy as that,' Paul concluded, with as much relief in his words as the relief your toes would feel following his expert advice.
His video swiftly gained a bandwagon of followers, racking up over 300,000 views and countless shares, indicating people's immediate interest in rectifying their long-followed, ill-advised habits.
The comments section was bustling with endorsements of Paul's advice, with users sharing their less-pleasant experiences with incorrectly cut toenails.
That said, some were sceptical, perhaps out of a sense of misplaced loyalty to their habits, asserting their preference for the round-trim approach.
Even if you haven't experienced any problems so far, we strongly recommend that you pay attention to Paul's advice and take precautions to avoid the unpleasant fate of an ingrown toenail.
Here's to having comfortable and healthy feet! And don't forget, using the right techniques can not only save you from pain but also a significant amount of money. So let's nip this problem in the bud, or rather, in the toenail!
Do you have any other nail care tips or advice? Feel free to share them in the comments below!
It can be quite challenging for all of us who believed we had these things figured out: how much water to drink daily, the proper angle for efficient walking, and even something as simple as cutting toenails.
Believe it or not, a foot doctor who specialises in the field has recently warned against a common method of trimming toenails that could result in unpleasant and expensive consequences.
You may be thinking: it’s just trimming the toenails, simple as that. Now, here is where we do ourselves a grand disservice. It’s not ‘just’ trimming; it’s a crucial aspect of foot care that requires appropriate technique.
In an eye-opening revelation, Paul, a knowledgeable podiatrist (a medical professional specialising in treating disorders of the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg), sent a stern warning across the internet.
He said: 'If you are cutting your toenails the wrong way, then stop doing it today. If it hasn't already, it will lead to an ingrown toenail, and they can cost you hundreds to thousands of dollars!'
In an elaboration that would serve as a valuable DIY foot-care tutorial, the foot doctor explained the specifics of a potentially harmful toenail-cutting approach and demonstrated how this personal grooming task should be done correctly.
Paul's first word of caution was explicitly against cutting toenails in a rounded shape or too far into the edges. Sharing a picture of such a toenail, he explained, 'Please, please do not cut your toenails like this. It's only going to lead to more problems.'
Next, Paul demonstrated the correct technique to maintain happy, healthy toenails. He was fervently against using a nail file or scissors, favouring clippers for the job. 'Nip your nail in small clips straight across the nail,' he advised. He showed how to file the corner afterwards, recommending a downward motion filing technique to smooth away the sharp edges.
'There we go, it's as easy as that,' Paul concluded, with as much relief in his words as the relief your toes would feel following his expert advice.
His video swiftly gained a bandwagon of followers, racking up over 300,000 views and countless shares, indicating people's immediate interest in rectifying their long-followed, ill-advised habits.
The comments section was bustling with endorsements of Paul's advice, with users sharing their less-pleasant experiences with incorrectly cut toenails.
That said, some were sceptical, perhaps out of a sense of misplaced loyalty to their habits, asserting their preference for the round-trim approach.
Key Takeaways
- A podiatrist has issued a warning against a common method of toenail cutting which can lead to painful consequences such as ingrown toenails.
- He advises against cutting toenails into a rounded shape at the edges, which can lead to problems.
- The correct technique involves clipping the nail straight across and then filing the corners downwards to remove sharp edges.
Even if you haven't experienced any problems so far, we strongly recommend that you pay attention to Paul's advice and take precautions to avoid the unpleasant fate of an ingrown toenail.
Here's to having comfortable and healthy feet! And don't forget, using the right techniques can not only save you from pain but also a significant amount of money. So let's nip this problem in the bud, or rather, in the toenail!
Do you have any other nail care tips or advice? Feel free to share them in the comments below!