As a podiatrist, each and every day I'm asked "what's the best way to trim my nails? Straight across? Curve the edges?" Since we're all individuals, there's really no universal answer to this question. Let's take a quick peek at proper nail care and what causes ingrown nails.

Thanks for reading.

Jeffrey A. Oster, DPM, C.Ped.

Dr. Jeffrey A. Oster, DPM, C.Ped.

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Improper trimming of the nail can result in a number of foot problems, first and foremost ingrown nails. Most ingrown nails (paronychia) result from partial or incomplete trimming of the nail. A common mistake is to trim the nail to the corner and tear the nail away. Tearing the nail often leaves a small spike of nail along the outer margin of the nail. Slowly the nail continues to grow and push the spike forward. The spike begins to act like a foreign object, just like a splinter. As the nail grows the splinter becomes increasingly imbedded in the skin resulting in an infection. Surgical correction of an ingrown nail is usually a matter of removing the little spike that's causing pain and a foreign body reaction (infection).

Who gets ingrown nails and why? You have to wonder why the most common ingrown nail patients are teenage boys and pregnant women. Teenage boys aren't particularly concerned about hygiene. They're also prone to more trauma to the nail from sports. Pregnant woman find that with each month of their pregnancy their arms get shorter and their legs get longer resulting an an inability to care for their feet. Additional contributing factors to ingrown nails include a tight toe box on the shoe, trauma to the nail, diseases of the nail and a host of other causes.

The key to successful nail trimming is to be sure you trim the nail regularly and completely. Be sure to round the edges using a file or emery board, checking for the little spikes. Smooth the edges of the nail to prevent the nail from catching on hose or socks. The rate of growth of the nail is very slow so that once every 4-6 weeks should be sufficient to keep the nails well trimmed and healthy. When trimming the nails, take the opportunity to check between the toes for fungal infections. Fungal infections of the skin will slowly infect the nail resulting in toe nail fungus.

Take care of your feet and they'll last a lifetime.

Dr. Oster practices podiatric medicine, surgery and pedorthics in Granville, Ohio and is medical director of Myfootshop.com.

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