How to Properly Trim the Toenails

At Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, Dr. Frank Killian doesn’t just provide patients with education on the foot and ankle conditions that he treats, he provides you with the tools to optimize your foot health in the comfort of your own home. There are a right way and a wrong way to do most things, and trimming your toenails falls into this category. To avoid ingrown toenails and cutting nails too short, utilize these tips.



  • Cut straight across – Guide the clippers across the nail of each toe and avoid cutting into a curved shape.

  • Use appropriate toenail clippers – large clippers are for toenails, small clippers are for fingernails.

  • Leave nails a little long – If you cut them too short, ingrown toenails occur. It can also leave your nails susceptible to infection.

  • Cut nails when they are dry, not wet – wet nails may be likely to tear, bend, or not cut smoothly because they’re softer when wet. Cutting dry nails will give you a cleaner, smoother cut.

  • Make a few small cuts – don’t try to clip the toenail in one snip. Make a few small cuts across your nail first.

  • Don’t cut cuticles – Cutting them can cause bleeding or infection. Instead, try using a cuticle stick and push them back.


If you have questions or concerns regarding foot care, please give us a call. To learn about services provided at our practice, visit www.newjerseyfoot.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Frank Killian of Mercer-Ocean Podiatry, PC, call our Hamilton, NJ, office at 609-585-3200 or our Toms River, NJ, office at 732-557-4266.

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