Hoping for help with very difficult to cut toenails.

[rosebud52]

A very big hi to everyone, I have been going to my local podiatrist to have my toenails cut but would like to be able to do them myself as it's a lot to pay when prices for everything are going up, is there anyone who knows of a way to soften the toenails before cutting, I have tried footsoaks but they don't work, I would be so grateful for some advice, thank you 😊 so much. Sending love to everyone.

[PMRpro]

How long are you soaking them for? Do you add anything to the water? Cider vinegar is said to help soften toenails and sometimes you need 20 mins to get a decent result.

[rosebud52 in reply to PMRpro]

No I haven't tried cider vinegar, I will try it, i'v tried proper foot soak also what I use for a bath hoping it will soften them, is it just cider vinegar on its own? Thanks for the suggestion.

[PMRpro in reply to rosebud52]

No, in the water. I found cutting my toenails after a 3/4 hour aquafit class was pretty good too!

[rosebud52 in reply to PMRpro]

Oh thank you for that PMRpro sounds good, grateful for any advice.

[junemc]

Have you tried adding epsom salts to the water? I found this to be effective. Another possibility is buying one of the many products for ingrowing toenails which are used to soften the nails. Again these are effective. A third possibility is giving up cutting the nails and just filing them instead. It is only the nails on my big toes which are a problem and I gave up trying to cut them some time ago. You will need a good emery board if you choose this.

[rosebud52]

Thank you junemc, yes the nails on the big toes are definitely more of a problem, i'v got a few things i can try now, this community is wonderful for helping out so glad I'm a member. xx

[Chris21]

how does the podiatrist cut them? I don’t soak mine as I was told by the lady who used to do my mums, that it was easier as soaking the nails made them too soft 🤷‍♀️ I use largish nail clipper (it fits the big toe nail) , usually gets the whole nail and ocassionally have to use emery board. I also do my finger nails this way too.

[rosebud52 in reply to Chris21]

Hi Chris21, he shaves the big toe nails before cutting them, I do have a nail clipper but due to arthritis find it difficult to keep a grip on it, I will definitely try the advice i'v been given. Thank you.

[Betty909090]

I never cut my toenails because I can hardly see them! 🥹Failing eyesight!

Scissors are simply too dangerous for me. My nails are also somewhat crumbly and powdery!

I always use good quality emery boards filing and rubbing down the tips and tops. All the fine nail dust that’s produced is then wiped away with a cotton wool pad soaked in 100% tea tree oil which is antibacterial, antiseptic and antifungal (if fungal spores or hyphae are present?)

This weekly routine keeps my nails short, free of fungus and my feet sweet smelling. I pretend to be my own top rated podiatrist!🤣😆✅

[rosebud52 in reply to Betty909090]

Hi Betty909090, I'm finding that a lot of you seem to be happy using emery boards, but I'm not ruling any advice out, really happy with the response from people on here 🙂

[ICE187]

I soak in the tub for about an hour and immediately after I get out, I go to clipping. I use these clippers which are amazing for me. My big toes are my only problem nails, but these make it easier. I may or may not use peroxide on my toe nails, depending on how bad of an ingrown nail I get.

Clippers