How To Cut Nails For Diabetic Patient

November 26, 2019 10:04 am

Regular toenail clippings tin help to prevent ingrown nails, discomfort and infection. But is there a wrong way to cutting toenails? Absolutely. Especially when it comes to diabetics.

In fact, because of the special intendance diabetics demand when it comes to foot care, it's often best to skip the salon pedicure and clip your toenails right at dwelling. Whether yous are doing the cut yourself or are looking for the correct way to clip your loved one'due south toenails, we're hither to aid.

Let'due south explore some of the special measures diabetics tin can accept to properly cut toenails:

Know How Ofttimes to Cut

According to Healthline, a full fingernail can grow back completely in upwards to half-dozen months should you lose one. Yet, toenails accept three times as long as fingernails to grow back, taking up to a year and a half.

At this growth rate, it's best to trim your toenails every six to eight weeks. Too frequent of cuts can pb to unnecessary stress on your feet, while likewise exceptional of cuts tin pb to overgrowth problems, and in severe cases, infection.

Pick the Right Clippers

Did you know that toenail clippers are unlike from fingernail clippers? Some people are surprised to learn that they demand a different tool for each set of nails, but it's truthful. Toenail clippers are by and large larger, designed to make bigger trims and cut through thicker nails.

Sanitize Your Clippers

Before and after each use, sanitize your toenail clippers with rubbing alcohol and a Q-Tip. Diabetes are more decumbent to infection, and fungi and leaner tin transfer from clipping or pes intendance tools to whatever open wounds.

Never Clip Later Bathing*

While it might seem like a smart idea to clip a diabetic'southward toenails afterward the foot is make clean from a bath, wet actually softens the toenail. Although this makes it easier for the boom to bend, it can lead to tearing and fraying of the nail, reducing the likelihood to a clean, shine cut.

Instead of trimming after a soak or shower, make clean the toes with warm water and a gentle soap, then wipe completely dry out with a material before cutting. (Be mindful of the water temperature, equally diabetics who suffer from nerve damage may not be able to feel hot water and sear themselves. (Ever test the temperature first with your hands).

*If the toenails are exceedingly thick due to a fungal infection, psoriasis, etc. , soaking might exist the merely style to soften the nails plenty to safely clip. In this case, let the toes sit down in a warm water and soap mixture for ten-thirty minutes (depending on the status). Then, dry out thoroughly before making pocket-sized, incremental cuts to avoid splintering.

E'er Make Two Cuts

Trying to cut a big toenail in one sweep often doesn't work. The clipper is often only long plenty to clip halfway through, and using your fingers to tear off the remaining unclipped portion can pb to wounds: where you rip deep into the pink part of the nail attached to the skin.

Considering diabetics are much more decumbent to infection, always make a 2nd clean cut to remove the nail without abrasion.

Avert Curving in the Corners

Although a overnice, rounded cut is often preferred over a square clipping, diabetics must exist conscientious making curved clips. Cut too far into the corners of your toenails can lead to the formation of ingrown nails, oftentimes leading to an infection.

Give the Nails a Final Filing

Even if your cuts were smooth, information technology doesn't hurt to file downward each smash at the terminate for optimal smoothness. Diabetics can have a harder time healing from a wound, and should a jagged blast snag, it could rip off part of their blast. Plus, the uneven border could accidentally scratch their legs while sleeping.