Thick nails are one of the symptoms of nail fungus. And patients often find themselves at their wit’s end when it comes to trying to cut/trim nails. When you set out to cut the infected toenails, you probably struggle considering how thick and hard they are. Even with medical-grade nail clippers, cutting your nails can be difficult and painful. In this case, you can use the following simple tips to soften thick nails before cutting them. 

Take a foot bath to Soften Thick Toenails

The main trick is to soak your feet to soften the nails. In a tub or bucket, take enough warm water to reach a depth that would cover your feet. You can opt to add Epsom salts into the water. Then proceed to soak your feet for about half an hour, or more if your nails are very hard. Since you will likely need to do this every time you trim your nails, you may choose to invest in a foot bath for comfort and relaxation. 

After soaking your feet, make sure to thoroughly pat them dry, since lingering moisture promotes the growth of nail fungus. Once your feet are dry, apply a nail softening cream of your choice directly to the nails, and leave them overnight. You can then trim the nails the next day.

If you would like to try even further tricks to soften your nails, you can apply VapoRub to them, or tea tree oil. Then trim your nails once your nails feel softer. Alternatively, you can also soak cotton balls with white vinegar or apple cider vinegar, and dab your nails until they feel softer. Then, you proceed to trim your nails right away. 

The treatment option to Treat Toenail Fungus

While these tips can help you to cut your fungal nails, they will not be able to treat the infection itself. This is because the fungus resides on the nail bed and not on the nail itself. The most effective method of treatment is laser treatment using the PinPointe laser, which you can get by calling us to schedule a free consultation with one of our doctors at one of our over 150 locations.