It may seem insignificant, but caring for your toenails is essential in maintaining your overall health. Without the proper nail health information, your toenails could form common abnormalities that could become painful and debilitating if left untreated. To best know how to take care of toenails, you need to know essential nail health information.

Common Toenail Abnormalities

Nail Discoloration

A healthy nail is typically pale pink in color, and turns white as it grows out of the nail bed. Nail discoloration varies in color, but it’s usually yellow-ish, brown-ish, or off-white in shade. Discolored nails are not usually a cause for alarm. Some causes of discolored nails include:

Nail polish
Nicotine (from smoking)
Hair-coloring agents
Infections and injuries
Certain medication (such as antibiotics, and those used in chemotherapy)
Certain health conditions (such as melanoma)

Ingrown Nails

Also known as onychocryptosis or unguis incarnatus, ingrown toenails is a painful condition which can become debilitating. It occurs when a sharp edge of the toenail digs or curls into the skin at the end or side of the toe, causing it to become inflamed. If left untreated, it can progress to an infection or abscess which would require surgical treatment. Some causes of ingrown nails include:

Improper or incorrect nail-trimming technique
Trauma (from stubbing your toe, etc.)
Nails that grow with a sharp curve and dig into the skin
Thickening of the nail plate
Wearing tight and uncomfortable footwear

Toenail Fungus

Otherwise known as onychomycosis, toenail fungus is, while embarrassing, another common condition, making up 50% of nail abnormalities in adults. It typically starts as a white or yellow spot or streak on the nail, and, as it goes deeper, may cause your nail to thicken, crumble, or loosen from the nail bed. It can affect one or several nails at a time. Some causes of toenail fungus include:

Certain health conditions such as diabetes, weak immune system, or poor blood circulation
Certain skin conditions such as psoriasis
A history with athlete’s foot
Minor skin or nail injuries
Slower-growing nails
Genetics
Moist toes for an extended period of time
Acrylic or artificial nails
Swimming in public swimming pools
Constantly wearing of socks, tight footwear, or closed-toe shoes that prevent proper ventilation
Walking barefoot in damp communal areas such as swimming pools, gyms, and shower rooms

How to Take Care of Toenails

Cleaning and Cutting

It’s not just important to wash your feet daily, you have to learn how to do it properly and thoroughly. This ensures prevention of fungal infections. Make sure to get between your toes and under your nails as well. Use a nail brush for your toes and toenails.

When cutting your toenails, follow a round shape as opposed to the typical square one. Cut your nails straight across, then file the edges into a rounded shape. This avoids jagged and sharp edges that lead to ingrown nails. Remember to also to trim your toenails weekly or every other week to keep them healthy, clean and free of any infection.

Choosing Footwear

Choosing the right footwear is a lot more important than you think. Constantly wearing tight, uncomfortable, closed-toe shoes makes you more likely to get fungal infections. So does wearing socks all the time. This is because fungus thrive in warm, moist environments. Make sure your feet are completely dry before slipping on your shoes and socks.

Also, if you spend a lot of time in damp, communal areas such as public showers and swimming pools, flip-flops are the way to go. Going barefoot increases your chances of getting a fungal infection due to exposure to fungus and germs.

Fighting Toenail Fungus

If you’re suffering from toenail fungus, the best and most effective way to treat the condition is to use a topical nail solution. It comes with a brush applicator for easy application. Using it regularly penetrates the nail bed, and kills the source of the fungus. Nail fungus usually doesn’t go away on its own, so it’s best to be equipped with the essential nail health information. Use the right topical nail solution as early as possible, before the condition spreads to other nails.