Taking Care of Your Toenails Health

Posted: Sep 05, 2008 | Comments: 0 | Views: 640 | Bookmark and Share

Nails should be cut straight across with a clean, sharp nail trimmer without tapering or rounding the corners. Trim the nails no shorter than the edge of the toe. Nails should be trimmed straight across. The corners of the nails should not be trimmed back. Nails grow from the base to the tip, as anyone who has used nail varnish knows. Because it can take 18 months for a nail to be replaced completely by a new one, it may be a long time before you see a result.

Nails are composed of a substance called keratin, similar to that in skin and hair, only harder because of less water content within the nail. They are a hard, resilient structure whose main function is to protect the blood vessels, nerves and bones underneath [1]. Nail fungi affect toenails four times more often than fingernails. Once fungi take hold, it may spread from nail to nail, foot to foot, and rarely to the hands and fingernails. Nails should be cut flat across the top, and the corners should not be cut out. If you feel the need to cut the corners, it should be done only by a podiatrist.

Nail fungi affect toenails four times more often than fingernails. Once fungi take hold, it may spread from nail to nail, foot to foot, and rarely to the hands and fingernails. Nail fungus is an embarrassing dilemma which causes humiliating experiences and restriction of wearing open-toed sandals. It is not easy to treat when the fungus is quite hard to reach.

Ingrown toenails can develop for various reasons. In many people, the tendency to have this common disorder is inherited. Ingrown toenails can be the result of improper trimming, wearing tight or poor fitting shoes and trauma. To prevent ingrown toenails, it is advisable to trim your toenails straight across instead of cutting them in a rounded shape and always stick to shoes that are well fitting, allowing enough space to your toenails to breathe instead of pressing them hard. Ingrown toenails are one the more common foot problems treated by the Podiatrist. They can be very painful, with people limiting their activity to keep off their sore feet.

Ingrown toenail removal can be performed without a tourniquet, but it is easier with a bloodless surgical field. If a tourniquet is used, it should be removed as soon as possible. Ingrown nails can be avoided by cutting nails straight across; nails should not be cut along a curve, nor should they be cut too short. In both cases, the important thing to avoid is cutting the nail shorter than the flesh around it. Ingrown toenails are likely to recur, so preventative measures are important.

Pain can be present without infection, and occasionally infection is present without pain. The usual signs of infection include; redness ( erythema ), swelling ( edema ), increased warmth ( calor ), and pain ( dolor ).

Pain is the main symptom of an ingrown toe nail - usually just starting as some minor discomfort. This may be just the pressure from the side of the nail or it may be because the nail has actually penetrated the skin down the side of the nail.

(ArticlesBase SC #550741)

Rate this Article
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 0 vote(s)
    Feedback
    RSS
    Print
    Email
    Re-Publish

    Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/taking-care-of-your-toenails-health-550741.html

    Article Tags:

    fungus

    ,

    toe

    ,

    Nail

    ,

    toenail

    ,

    toenails

    Can You Cut Nails too Short

    Is there any risk of cutting your fingernails or toenails too short? Find out more in this video. (00:29)

    Learn about Toenail Fungus Treatments

    Dr Michael Perlstein, D.A.B.P.O. Podiatrist Talks about Toenail Fungus Treatments. (01:39)

    How to Use Nail Gel

    Premium 3 in 1 UV one phase nail gel for use on tips, natural nails, toe nails, and forms. Find the latest in gel nails, 3d nail stickers, gel nail kits, gel nail art, color gel nails and more. (10:08)

    Nail Care - Cleaning Under the Toe Nails

    Nail Care - Cleaning Under the Toe Nails (06:12)

    Nail Care - Trimming and Filing

    Nail Care - Trimming and Filing (03:19)

    Elliott Hairston

    You may have a infected toe nail if you have these toe nail fungus symptoms. When fungi infect your toes it is called nail infection or nail fungus You will notice yellow or white spots under the tip of your nails.

    By: Elliott Hairston l Health > Alternative Medicine l Apr 22, 2009 l Views: 518
    Elliott Hairston

    If you think that going to the nail shop is the best way to treat toe nail fungus or finger nail fungus, you better think again. Giong to nails shops may be the worse thing you can do for your nails.

    By: Elliott Hairston l Health > Alternative Medicine l Apr 17, 2009 l Views: 137

    You may need toe nail fungus medication for your fungal problem. In most cases, not getting any kind of treatment for nail fungi is simply not an option. Leaving your infection untreated could result in very ugly nails. Some experts also say that untreated infections could lead to more serious...

    By: Rashe Dan l Health > Medicine l Jun 29, 2008 l Views: 65

    Do you suffer from an embarrassing toenail fungus worry about fungus ridden body nail fungus? It is so easy to get toe nail fungus, and so very difficult to get rid of them! Almost everyon

    By: James C.Cameer l Advertising l May 24, 2006 l Views: 459
    Elliott Hairston

    More than 35 million people in the United States get toenail fungus. It is not the same as athlete's foot, but similar. You can have both at the same time. In this article you will learn what causes toe nail fungus.

    By: Elliott Hairston l Health > Alternative Medicine l Apr 24, 2009 l Views: 330
    Elliott Hairston

    Find out the truth about home remedies for toe nail fungus. There are some that do work but it will take some time for the home remedies to take affect.

    By: Elliott Hairston l Health > Alternative Medicine l Apr 18, 2009 l Views: 369
    Elliott Hairston

    How hard is it when it comes down to determining a treatment for toe nail fungus? Finding a treatment for toenail fungus is not hard to do when you have the right information.

    By: Elliott Hairston l Health > Alternative Medicine l Apr 16, 2009 l Views: 24
    Elliott Hairston

    Finding the time to get rid of toe nail fungus with home remedies can be time consuming. You do not have time to soak your feet all day therefore you need a quick solution for getting rid of toe nail fungus.

    By: Elliott Hairston l Health > Alternative Medicine l Apr 18, 2009 l Views: 56

    What would you use sauna heaters for? Sauna heaters are great for relaxing muscles and joints. Many people use them to rid the body of toxins. Some use it for an overall body and mind therapy. This was one way the sauna was used in an animated series King of...

    By: Adriana N. l Health l Feb 10, 2010

    There are several ailments that seem to be simple but if ignored, they become chronic. A notable ailment of this category is Tonsil stones or tonsilloliths. Though several medication are invented, nothing is strong or efficient enough to give a permanent relief.

    By: Sergey l Health l Feb 10, 2010

    Choosing a fast weight loss plan to eliminate your stomach excess fat is not a difficult mission. Nevertheless, you must know where to look for. Below is a write-up that may offer you the option to the easiest way you can reduce your abdomen excessive fat in 2 weeks period!

    By: Alan Chai l Health l Feb 10, 2010

    Are you ashamed of revealing your heels in public? Do you feel there is a need of a complete solution for your cracked heels? The heels are really the foundation of the body, you have to find a great product to get rid of several cracked heels. The pain that you go through is really a huge obligation and you have to control the pain and the cracking of the heel with the use of ointment or creams like Heels So Soft.

    By: marryjones777 l Health l Feb 10, 2010
    adrianna smith

    The breathing exercise that we propose is simple and controls the constant practice of involuntary inhalation and breath through the understanding and regulating the process. It has a great beneficial effect on the physical and mental health.

    By: adrianna smith l Health l Feb 10, 2010
    Jason Clemens

    Intense training takes less time, the results happen faster and it's simple to do. A perfect combo for those who are busy and need to lose weight fast!

    By: Jason Clemens l Health l Feb 10, 2010

    There are various weight loss programs involving special diets or drugs which claim to be effective but can have serious side effects. This article outlines a natural way to solve weight loss problems.

    By: T S Gill l Health l Feb 10, 2010

    Excessive sweating can make a handshake an embarrassing and dreaded event. Wearing shoes without socks or changing bedsheets at night, become part of your routines.

    By: Sergey l Health l Feb 10, 2010

    Diversity is key for many law companies in the country, but it is not so easy to achieve.

    By: Joaquin Costa l Law l Sep 17, 2008 l Views: 57

    Taking care of your toenails is very important, read more and learn why.

    By: Joaquin Costa l Health l Sep 05, 2008 l Views: 640

    Irish setters are simply amazing pets, read more about this great type of dog.

    By: Joaquin Costa l Home and Family > Pets l Sep 03, 2008 l Views: 186

    Scuba Diving is for sure one of the best sports in the planet

    By: Joaquin Costa l Sports and Fitness l Sep 02, 2008 l Views: 91

    German Shepherds are not the number one in anything, but the second best in everything.

    By: Joaquin Costa l Home and Family > Pets l Sep 02, 2008 l Views: 299

    Liposuction a procedure that is becoming cheaper and safer every year, learn now more about the this type of surgery.

    By: Joaquin Costa l Health l Sep 02, 2008 l Views: 58

    Understanding the medical origin of acne is vital to be able to prevent it.

    By: Joaquin Costa l Health > Acne l Sep 02, 2008 l Views: 485

    Breaking a metatarsal is a difficult thing to take, but there is a light ahead, thanks to proper recovery.

    By: Joaquin Costa l Health l Aug 30, 2008 l Views: 4,672

    Add new Comment

     
    * Required fields
    Author Box
    Articles Categories
    All Categories
    0