Foot/toenail care: Which is correct?

• A. Clip toenails
• B. Soak feet in cold water
• C. Do not clip toenails
• D. Apply lotion between toes

Answer: (C)

Safety during foot care focuses on avoiding actions that can injure the skin or lead to infection. For many clients, clipping toenails oneself poses a real risk of cutting skin, creating a wound that can become infected, especially when there is diabetes, neuropathy, or poor circulation. Because of that, the best approach is not to cut the nails yourself and to have trimming done by a nurse or podiatrist or follow facility policy. In the meantime, keep feet clean and dry, and report any nail changes or signs of problems.

Soaking in cold water isn’t helpful for preparing nails for safe care, and applying lotion between the toes can trap moisture and promote fungal issues. Clipping nails, while sometimes appropriate, increases risk in at-risk individuals, so it’s better to defer to a trained person.