Nail care involves attending to both fingernails and toenails. Numerous nail issues arise from inadequate maintenance. To ensure nails remain healthy, it is important to keep them clean and dry, preventing bacteria and other infections from accumulating beneath them. Trim nails straight across with a slight curve at the tips, and use a fine-textured file to maintain their shape and prevent snags. Refrain from biting nails. For thick, hard-to-cut toenails, soak them in warm salt water (1 teaspoon of salt per pint of water) for 5 to 10 minutes, then apply a 10 percent cream (available over-the-counter at drugstores) before trimming. Avoid attempting to 'dig out' ingrown toenails, particularly if they are painful; instead, seek treatment from a doctor. Changes in the nails, swelling, and pain may indicate serious issues that should be brought to a doctor’s attention.
