Answer this honestly: When did you last think about cleaning your nails? If your answer is hardly never, except for remembering to schedule your next manicure or pedicure session, you are not alone! Even if you pay no heed to cleaning your nails and toenails, let us be honest, nail hygiene is essential. Just think about it: you use fingers and toenails are a part of very important everyday tasks from opening lids to digging in the dirt to moving around with your feet everywhere. This makes your nails a breeding ground for dirt, bacteria, dead skin cells, and other unwanted material. If you want to keep illnesses at bay, try to practice excellent nail care that will also make your nails look a lot healthier. If you are wondering how to clean your nails and toenails, then this one is for you!

How to clean your fingernails?

Dirt, oil, or grime all can get stuck under your nails. Here is what you can do to clean your fingernails, as per cosmetologist and trichologist Dr Priti Mahire include:

1. Trim your nails short

Evenly trimmed and short nails tend to catch less bacteria and dirt. You can cut your nails after a morning or evening shower when they are easier to cut. Make sure to cut them to a short and manageable length. Try to keep your personal fingernail clipper to curb the risk of infections.

Keep your nails healthy with these tips. Image courtesy: Adobe Stock

2. Use soap and nails under your nails when you wash

Whenever you are cleaning your hands, make sure to use the lather even under your nails to reduce bacteria on the fingertips. You may wash your hands using antibacterial soaps or alcohol-based sanitiser to effectively mitigate the risk of bacteria getting collected under them.

3. Dry your hands properly

Damp places become a breeding ground for bacteria and infections. By drying your hands thoroughly, you can minimize the likelihood of a nail infection and even prevent water from softening your nails too much and making them brittle.

4. Never forget to moisturize

Just like moisturizing your hands or skin is essential, your nails and cuticles are no exception. Applying moisturizer will keep your nails healthy and flexible.

5. Run your hands under lukewarm water

Using lukewarm water- neither too hot nor too cold- is less drying to the hands and nails than putting them directly under hot water.

6. Wear work gloves

Try to wear cotton-lined rubber gloves whenever possible while performing household tasks. These can guard your nails from any further damage, owing to the difficult jobs that you might perform during such tasks.

How to clean under toenails?

Just like you use your hands and fingernails to do just about everything. Similarly, your toenails deserve equal care. They are responsible for getting you around everywhere, even if you are walking between rooms of your house, the area underneath your toenails can still get all sorts of gunk. To avoid that, here are some tips you can follow to clean under your toenails.

1. Wash and scrub your feet

Make it a point to clean your toenails every single day. Wash them using soap and water. You can take the help of a loofah, sponge, or washcloth to properly clean around your toenails.

2. Try foot soaking

If you do not have a habit of taking a shower every day, you may contemplate soaking your feet in a tub of lukewarm water and soap. This can aid in breaking up and dislodging dirt underneath toenails. Just like your fingernails, rinse and dry your feet properly afterwards. You can use warm water and Epsom salt or vinegar for up to fifteen minutes to properly soften your skin and nails.

Trim your nails after soaking your feet. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

3. Trim your nails

After a bath or foot soak, your nails tend to be softer, so it is easier to cut them. If you have severe nail issues, it can be better to get your toenails trimmed at a podiatrist’s (a foot doctor) clinic.

4. Dry your feet carefully

Unlike your fingernails, your toenails can be hard to reach depending upon your flexibility. If you are unable to reach under your toenails, you can follow a simple hack to dry your feet properly: putting a towel on the ground and patting your feet on it with your toes to dry between your toes. Damp feet can attract fungal growth, so dry them carefully.

5. Moisturize your feet and toenails

Just like you moisturize your hands, do that for your feet as well. Allow foot lotion to dry down and spread evenly throughout your feet before you put on socks.

6. Wear shoes and socks

Do not walk barefoot, do it only when needed. You must wear shoes and socks to properly protect your feet from developing bacterial infections. Change your socks daily, and use cornstarch under your feet if they are extremely sweaty.

Summary

Persistent nail and foot care can aid in keeping your nails healthy, clean, and presentable. If you notice anything unusual like redness, swelling, or nail discolouration, get in touch with a healthcare provider. These could be signs of an underlying problem.

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