How To Cut Diabetic Toenails

Diabetics are prone to foot problems. Their feet often have poor circulation, and many diabetics have difficulty seeing or reaching their feet due to arthritis or vision problems. If you can see and control your feet well and have a good pair of nail clippers, then it is safe to trim your own toenails.

How to Cut Your Toenails

Try to do this as slowly and carefully as possible! Make sure your vision is at its best, and try to be in a room with good lighting.

1. Soak your feet in a warm tub for no longer than five minutes. Soaking for longer than that has been shown to reduce blood circulation and dry feet out. Make sure the water is not too hot, especially if you have numbness in your feet as you can easily get burned.
2. Dry your feet thoroughly with a towel, including the spaces between your toes and the toenails themselves.
3. Use your toenail clippers to cut each nail straight across, staying away from the connective skin tissue. Cutting the toenails too short can cause sores or blisters to form. You can also use an emory board to gently file toenails to maintain their straight shape. Do not file the skin around the nails as this can also cause blisters.

After cutting, inspect each toenail to ensure the skin is not damaged. Diabetics may not feel small cuts or blisters, which can lead to infection if left untreated. If there are any cuts, consult your physician immediately to prevent infection. Infections are very dangerous for diabetics and can lead to amputation if left untreated.

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