How To Keep Your Toenails Clean And Healthy

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Cleaning and maintaining your toenails is an integral part of proper foot care. Since your feet are often out of sight and out of mind, it is easy to ignore the buildup of dirt and grime under your toenails. Establishing toenail grooming habits is an important aspect of your overall hygiene. It will also help you prevent toenail-related healthcare issues and increase your level of comfort.

1

Wet your feet. Wash your feet and toenails every day to help prevent odor and fungal infections. You can do this as part of your normal hygiene routine, such as while you are taking a shower or bath. Start by wetting your feet and toenails with warm water.
2
Scrub feet as you would any other body part. Use your regular soap or body wash to wash your feet. You might also want to use a pumice stone or loofah to scrub away dry, dead skin. A washcloth also works well.^[1] Just be careful not to scrub too hard because this can cause damage.
- Apply some soap or body wash to your wet feet and then work it into a lather using your hands or a sponge or washcloth. Make sure to run the sponge or washcloth over your toes and toenails as well.
3

Rinse off the soap. After you have washed all surfaces of your feet and nails. Rinse away the soap completely under warm water or by immersing them in a tub of clean water.
4

Dry your feet completely after washing. Use a clean, dry towel to pat your feet dry after you wash them. Make sure to dry your toenails and get in between your toes as well.

1

Soak your feet in warm water. Soaking your feet in warm water can help to loosen dirt and make it easier to clean them thoroughly. It will also soften your toenails, making them easier to clip. To soak your toenails, you can simply use lukewarm water. You can also add essential oils or a small bit of sea salt if desired. Soak your feet and toenails in the water for about 15 minutes.^[2]
2
Exfoliate the skin around your toenails. Once you get done soaking your toenails, exfoliate the skin around the nails. Exfoliation is the act or removing dead skin cells from a particular area of the body. This helps rid your feet of dead skin and cleans and revitalizes the area surrounding the toenails.
- Use an exfoliating scrub or a nail brush to scrub your toenails.^[3]
- Some people soak their feet in Epsom salt mixed with warm water to soften their skin. This is a great option if your feet are a little sore.^[4]
- There are some beauty store scrubs that come with exfoliating micro beads, but such substances have received some criticism for being bad for the environment and do not necessarily work better than natural textured substances.
- Gently massage your toenails and feet with your chosen substance. You might have to use some force to get the skin cells to loosen. Once you are done, rinse your feet off in cool or lukewarm water and dry them thoroughly.^[5]
3

Rinse away the soap and exfoliant. After you finish scrubbing and exfoliating your toenails and feet, dip them back into the water basin to rinse them. If the water is very soapy, then you may need to change it first. Rinse your feet until all of the soap is gone.
4

Dry thoroughly. Your nails and toes need to be dried completely after washing them. Damp feet, especially when placed in shoes and socks, can encourage the growth of fungus. Dry your feet completely with a clean, dry towel. Then, let them air dry for a few minutes before putting on shoes or socks.^[6]

1
Remove any stains. If you have any stains on your toenails, you may be able to remove or prevent them. Certain common household products may be effective in removing stains on toenails. If you still have stains on your nails after cleaning them, then try using one of these methods:
- Hydrogen peroxide can be used to remove stains on toenails. Mix one part peroxide with three parts water. Then soak your nails for 10 minutes and then rinse.^[7]
- Lemon juice has also worked for some to remove stains. Dab a few drops of lemon juice on each nail, let sit for a few minutes, and then brush off with a washcloth.^[8]
- If you paint your toenails, applying base coat before adding polish can help prevent stains in the first place.^[9]
2
Apply moisturizer. After your feet are dry, you may also want to apply a moisturizer. It's also a good idea to moisturize your feet daily because feet dry out easily. You can use your regular moisturizer or purchase a special foot moisturizer.^[10]
- Make sure to apply some moisturizer to your toenails and cuticles as well.
3
Cut your toenails straight and moderately short. Trim your toenails straight across, but not too short. Cutting your toenails too short or at an angle can lead to ingrown toenails. Keeping your nails at a moderate length can also prevent the development of fungus and other kinds of damage, such as lifting the nail off the nail bed if it gets caught on something.^[11]
- Always use good, quality nail clippers to trim your nails.

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Question

How do I take care of my feet and toe nails?

Dr. Mark Co is a Podiatrist who runs his own private practice in San Francisco, California. Dr. Co specializes in treatments for bunions, ingrown toenails, toenail fungus, warts, plantar fasciitis and other causes of foot pain. He also offers custom orthotics for the treatment and prevention of foot and ankle issues. Dr. Co completed a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at New York University and an MA in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Co also completed his DPM at the California School of Podiatric Medicine and a residency and internship at the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Santa Clara, California. Dr. Co was awarded San Francisco's "Top 3 Podiatrists" in 2018, 2019, and 2020. Dr. Co is also a member of the CPMA (American Podiatric Medical Association).

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Washing your feet when you shower is great. Trim your toenails regularly by trimming across in a straight line instead of around at an angle to avoid ingrown nails. If your feet are ever sore, just stretch your calf muscles out or soak your feet in warm water mixed with Epsom salt. Moisturize your feet if they're dry using a lotion designed specifically for your feet.
Question

How do I cut toe nails to avoid ingrown toe nails?

Dr. Mark Co is a Podiatrist who runs his own private practice in San Francisco, California. Dr. Co specializes in treatments for bunions, ingrown toenails, toenail fungus, warts, plantar fasciitis and other causes of foot pain. He also offers custom orthotics for the treatment and prevention of foot and ankle issues. Dr. Co completed a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at New York University and an MA in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Co also completed his DPM at the California School of Podiatric Medicine and a residency and internship at the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Santa Clara, California. Dr. Co was awarded San Francisco's "Top 3 Podiatrists" in 2018, 2019, and 2020. Dr. Co is also a member of the CPMA (American Podiatric Medical Association).

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Make sure you cut your toe nails straight across. Cut them a little short, but make sure you don't cut them too short. If your toe nails are cut very short or at an angle, it increases the chances of getting an ingrown toe nail.
Question

Is putting lotion on your feet bad?

Dr. Mark Co is a Podiatrist who runs his own private practice in San Francisco, California. Dr. Co specializes in treatments for bunions, ingrown toenails, toenail fungus, warts, plantar fasciitis and other causes of foot pain. He also offers custom orthotics for the treatment and prevention of foot and ankle issues. Dr. Co completed a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at New York University and an MA in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Co also completed his DPM at the California School of Podiatric Medicine and a residency and internship at the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Santa Clara, California. Dr. Co was awarded San Francisco's "Top 3 Podiatrists" in 2018, 2019, and 2020. Dr. Co is also a member of the CPMA (American Podiatric Medical Association).
Question

How can I get rid of dirt packed in my toenails?

Jennifer Boidy is a Registered Nurse in Maryland. She received her Associate of Science in Nursing from Carroll Community College in 2012.

Registered Nurse

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Question

What can you do if your nails are beginning to change color and you want to get them bright and nice again?

Jennifer Boidy is a Registered Nurse in Maryland. She received her Associate of Science in Nursing from Carroll Community College in 2012.

Registered Nurse

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If you regularly use colored nail polish, that may be causing the color change. You can try using hydrogen peroxide or lemon juice as recommended in the article and using clear nail polish under colored nail polish to prevent further staining. If change in color is accompanied by other changes to the nail, such as thickening or foul smell, this could indicate a fungal infection and you should see a podiatrist or physician.

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Keep in mind that anyone with diabetes should take special care with their feet, especially cutting toenails.^[12] If you have diabetes, then seek guidance from podiatrist or physician for proper foot care.
If you have a toenail-related medical problem, such as thickened or ingrown toenails, see a podiatrist or qualified healthcare provider.

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To clean stained toe nails, try soaking them in a mixture of 1 part hydrogen peroxide to 3 parts water for 10 minutes, and then rinsing them. Alternatively, try dabbing a few drops of lemon juice on each nail, letting it sit for a few minutes, then wiping it off with a washcloth. If nail polish is the reason for the discoloration, try applying a clear base coat before adding polish to prevent staining. Once the stains are removed, focus on showering daily and taking extra time to scrub your feet and toe nails with soap or body wash to keep them clean. For more tips from our Medical co-author, including how to cut your toenails straight, keep reading!

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