Some Things That I "think" I Know About Toenail Health Issues (Ingrown, Grooming, Etc.)

[Jingthing]

Living in Thailand, I have been using the popular service of getting pedicures. Eventually, using this service, I developed an ingrown toenail acute event which I think was related to unprofessional care by Thai pedicurists. In dealing with this problem (so far successfully) I think I have learned some things about toenails, and toenail care in Thailand, and I'd like to share my thoughts.

I am not presenting this as the be all end all "facts" or that all of this will apply to you or everyone. But really I think there is some value to this as its based on both my experience and research:

1. Ingrown toenails are a common problem. The most common place for these to occur are on the BIG toenails.

2. People who don't wear shoes or open toed shoes all the time are much less likely to ever develop ingrown toenails

3. Toenails grow SLOWER than fingernails. Meaning you don't need to cut both at the same time.

4. Toenails should be cut STRAIGHT ACROSS using a straight toenail clipper. This is very important. (Fingernails you can use a curved clipper.)

5. Toenails should not be cut too short. If doing that, you increase your chance of pain when wearing shoes and also ingrown toenails developing

6. It is important to NOT cut along the sides of your toenails! If you do, or more likely a pedicure person does, you greatly increase the chance of developing ingrown. Then you're in a vicious cycle of needing to keep cutting on the sides indefinitely and also living with pain. If this has already happened, you've got a problem. You can prevent this problem by not allowing anyone to cut the SIDES of your toenails.

7. Cuticles. They are natural and good for nail health. Pedicurists in Thailand almost always want to remove them! It is difficult to stop them from doing that even if you want. You have to be ever vigilant. Removing cuticles, like cutting the sides, increases the chances of developing ingrown. It is OK to push down and pretty up cuticles, but that's it. The cuticle issue is a good reason to avoid pedicure people in Thailand. Many can't seem to help themselves.

8. The standard of pedicure HYGIENE in Thailand at your common shop is atrocious. By using them you not only risk setting yourself up for ingrown toenails, but even serious infections. Rubbing the tools casually with alcohol, even when they do that and they don't always, does not constitute adequate hygiene with tools that touch the public having blood, fungal infections, or worse. Also be aware just because a shop looks posh and has comfy leather sofas doesn't mean their hygiene standards are any higher than the slummy soi shops.

9. To cut your toenails yourself, again, use the straight toenail clippers, file them to smooth after cutting, and don't cut too short. How often to cut can be personal but again not too short.

10. If you have already developed ingrown toenail pain but don't yet have an advanced infection then you can try a common technique of pushing in a wedge of cotton onto the side of problem area(s) and keeping that there for some weeks. (First you soak in HOT water to soften the nail.) That gives the problem areas time to grow out more comfortably. I have tried this. For me, and based on research many others, this really works. For technical information about how to do this, I suggest doing your own research as different sources suggest slightly different technical details so you'll have to digest that for yourself:

11. While recovering from an ingrown toenail pain problem, try to wear open toed shoes ALL THE TIME. It is recommended that you wear socks to cover the area. I can't bring myself to do that, socks with sandals, but I am passing along the medical advice to those that don't mind looking dorky. During my acute recovery time I used a band-aid (with antibiotic cream)

12. Foot doctors. I have read this is a very unpopular area of specialty in Thailand because of cultural factors, the foot being very low. While you can of course get surgeons to do toenail removals (or reductions) in serious cases, the overall level of foot health specialization is not at western levels. I may be wrong about that, but that's what my research told me.

13. Cleaning the feet. Many people feel the water running down the shower sort of cleans the feet. Not really. You have to actually clean them.

Myself, I am now taking care of my OWN feet and so far, so good. I enjoyed being lazy and using pedicure services here, but I now feel the risk (and pain of the results of doing that) isn't worth it for me.

Edited February 12, 2013 by Jingthing

[jrtmedic]

Pretty good advise !

[Jingthing]

Pretty good advise !

Thanks.

I see this item was messed up:

2. People who don't wear shoes or open toed shoes all the time are much less likely to ever develop ingrown toenails

s/b

2. People who go barefoot and/or wear open toed shoes all the time are much less likely to ever develop ingrown toenails. People who do wear shoes should take care with the fit as the pressure from the shoe on the toenails can contribute to ingrown toenails.