Men’s Toenails
Men shower, shave, shoes and out the door. Feet, toes? Did you look? Men’s toenails are different to women’s and children’s. Or are you on remote control? Did you find time for nail polish? Did you even dry thoroughly? You sound pretty typical. Taking our feet and toes for granted is a universal, gender non-specific, international reality. The simple act of cutting men’s toenails will generate some questions in your mind. Drawing on 35 years of Podiatric consultations, we share some simple answers.
Maybe, just maybe, ‘the foot thing’ could be worth thinking about. Maybe you could have the feet that you have always wanted. Today could be the day to embrace and cherish the last bastion of human neglect. Men’s toenails! Well maybe that it a bit too much!
Let us make a start…….LOOK AT YOUR FEET……..what can you see?
What is normal for Men’s Toenails?
- Toenail thickness 1-3millimetres
- Toenails look pale pink where they are attached with a white free edge
- Male nails are generally thicker than female nails
- Great toenails take about 12 months to grow from bottom to top.
- Lesser toenails take about 9 months
- Toenails are generally gently curved from left to right and top to bottom.
- Nails grow more slowly as you age
- Poor blood supply or cold weather slows nail growth.
Common unwanted toenail discoveries…..
- White Spot These are usually due to trauma….these will often grow out.
- Thick Nails When toenails are damaged they can thicken to more than 5mm.
- Yellow/black/white streaks May be caused by a fungus growing in the nail.
- Blue/Dark red/Black May be bruising due to a trauma. If it doesn’t grow out (months) …seek professional help
- Skin alongside the nail becomes red, painful and pus comes out from under the nail May be an Ingrowing nail…seek professional help
Real life questions about men’s toenails…….
I might have nail fungus, can I spread it to the other nails?
Nail fungus can spread within a nail, or to other nails. Cut or file the other toenails first and then the infected nails. Clean your nail cutting equipment/ nail file well after you finish. There is a broad range of treatment options. A Podiatrist can provide you with advice on how to treat fungal nails. Treatment may take a long time and often the fungus is difficult to get rid of. The sooner you start, the better
I can’t see to cut my nails, what should I do?
Ask someone else to care for your nails or file them instead of cutting.
I can’t reach my nails, what should I do?
Use a long handled nail file or ask someone else to care for your nails.
Should I soak my nails before cutting them?
Some people like to soak their nails but it is not necessary. If you chose to soak them don’t soak them for longer than 15 minutes.
I get breathless when I bend over to cut my nails, what should I do?
Try filing your nails with a long handled file. People who use inhalers because they get breathless often find it useful to do their nails 30 minutes after taking their inhalers. Using a different position to care for your nails can also work. You could also stagger the task – only cut 1-2 nails per day.
My nails are too hard to cut
My hands are not strong enough to cut my nails
- File your nails instead of cutting them.
- Ask a partner / older child / relative / friend to help you care for your nails.
- Choose better quality equipment. Read more….
- Use longer nippers.
- Hold the nippers further from the hinge.
- Add-on thicker handles
- Strengthening exercises for your hands
- Pay someone else to cut them
I don’t like looking or touching my own feet, what should I do?
This reaction is remarkably common. Where did this idea come from?
You may or may not remember the beginnings. However, it IS how you feel.
Your feet are still really important. Neglecting them is not going to make them miraculously improve. Get someone else involved. Podiatrist, Pedicurist, friend. Ask around. Find someone that suits YOU. They will be more than happy to help
When is a good time to start taking better care of my feet?
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