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Toenails – love them or loathe them, these curvy appendages are an important part of our feet. So one question I get asked very often as a Podiatrist is “what’s the best way to cut toenails?”.
Surprisingly, the answer is simpler than you might think! But the equipment, eyesight and skill of the person cutting them makes all the difference.
Often individual toenails can have their own shape, even on the one foot! So take note of the shape, size and growth patterns of your toenails before going at them with those clippers.
Straight or curved?
A common toenail teaser is whether to cut them straight or curved. My approach is often to go with what feels most comfortable, provided you have the right skills and equipment.
Same goes for how much of the nail to cut. Much like fingernails, there isn’t a problem with cutting nails curved or short as long as the natural shape of the nails is kept intact, as shown on the left hand side in the diagram below.