Introduction
The nails (Ungues) at fingers and toes are mechanical protection devices and fulfill important tasks of the tactile function by forming an abutment to the finger and/or toe ball. A single nail consists of nail plate, nail wall and nail bed. The nail plate is a horny plate with a thickness of approximately 0.5 mm, which emerges from the uppermost skin layer (epidermis).
It is firmly attached to the nail bed. The nail wall is located at the side and back of the nail. This is a fold of skin that forms a small nail pocket at the root of the nail.
Under the nail plate lies the nail bed (lectulus) with smallest blood vessels. These shimmer through the nail plate and make healthy nails look slightly rosy. Human fingernails grow about 1.5mm per week, but the growth of toenails is much slower.
Cutting toenails
Toe nails are often neglected in the care of fingernails. Nevertheless, sufficient care of the toenails is no less important to prevent, for example, nail tears, nail bed inflammation caused by ingrown nails or infections caused by accumulation of bacteria. Since the toenails are harder than the fingernails, it is recommended to cut them first and then remove smaller unevenness with a file.
To make cutting easier, you can start nail care with a foot bath. The water should be lukewarm, depending on your mood you can add gentle additives like aloe vera or chamomile. You should not soak your feet for longer than 5 minutes.
Afterwards, after carefully drying your feet, it is best to start cutting your toenails with rounded nail scissors or a nail clip. To avoid ingrown toenails, it is important to cut the nails straight, i.e. so that the edge of the nail ends with the tip of the toe, and not too short. After cutting, it is recommended to straighten the toenails in the direction of growth with a fine file to completely remove any protruding nail pieces.
