Curved toenails can be painful, and a foot issue that can lead to further problems such as ingrown toenails. Curved toenails can happen for a number of reasons, such as improper nail trimming, wearing an improper sized shoe, or excessive stress on the feet due to running, jogging, or walking. Fortunately, relieving curved toenails is a simple and easy process requiring only a few household items. Relieving a curved toenail can prevent further pain and minimize the chance of infection.
Fill a bucket half way with clean, warm water. The temperature should be warm enough to comfortably place your foot in it.
Place the foot with the curved toenail into the bucket with warm water. Let your foot soak in the warm water for 10 minutes.
Remove your foot from the warm water and dry it off with a towel.
Use your nail file and nail clippers to carefully re-shape your curved toenail to form a straight line across your toe. Make sure you do not cut or file your nail too short, but to leave a little white showing past your nail bed.
Repeat steps 1 through 4 every week to prevent your nail from becoming curved again. Curved toenails tend to dig into the skin, causing ingrown toenails. Keeping their shape straight across the toe will prevent further issues.
Tip
Make sure you wear shoes that fit properly. Shoes that are too small or too big can put unnecessary pressure on the toenails, causing them to curve as they grow.
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Writer Bio
Andrew Fontenot has been a journalist since 2003. His first job was covering the tension between rural villages and cities in India. His work on India has been published in a development magazine called "The International Proclaimer." Fontenot has a Bachelor of Arts in education from the University of Tennessee.