primitives discuss the best angle of attack for trimming their toenails

[BattleHymn]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/11831525

ellenrr (2,832 posts)

How do you cut thickened toenails?

I'm 67, and while researching this, I've discovered that thickened toenails can happen with age.
Great. Another happy thing about aging.

In recent years I started having trouble with how thick they are. Plus I have a torn meniscus in knee, so for a while I couldn't actually reach them.
so I went to a podiatrist who cut them.
He cut them so close, that they hurt me for 2 weeks.

I want to avoid a podiatrist if I can.
I am now able to reach my toes.
So I tried this morning after soaking in hot water for 20 minutes
(I added peanut oil)
And got nowhere.

One thing I realize is that nail scissors are useless.

So I'm going to cut some nail clippers-
they cut straight across.

and I read there is something called 'toe softening cream', if I can find that I'll try it.

Would like to know if anyone knows any "home remedies" for softening?

Anything that anyone has found - in terms of techniques, or in terms of clippers that help with this?

thanks.

Thu Jan 1, 2015, 12:17 PM
Star Member elleng (58,757 posts)
1. With difficulty. Nail clippers only thing I use.

No special technique I know of. Try to find clipper that opens wide enough. Dad had a guy visit him regularly to clip his toenails. Don't know if his were thickened, or just wanted help with the physical maneuver.

I keep seeing 'ads' for the miracle of vinegar, useful in 'so many ways,' including toes/feet.

Fri Jan 2, 2015, 04:40 AM
ellenrr (2,832 posts)
4. wish I could get someone to come clip my nails. nt

If you'd had the sense to not butcher millions of children over the years, you might have someone around who would love and care for you enough to do that for you. 

Enjoy your loneliness.

Thu Jan 1, 2015, 12:29 PM
onecent (3,975 posts)
2. Hey Ellen....About 20 years

ago I had to have my big toe nails pulled out. I was tired of my toes hurting
when I wore shoes..and it was the best think I EVER did.

My brothers followed suit when i told them...since you don't want to see a podiatrist (and I don't blame you) try buying some mineral oil - it is cheap and soak your toes in it.
Pretty good stuff compared to the high prices of these fancy smelly fragrant lotions...that do NOT WORK....lol

Thu Jan 1, 2015, 10:52 PM
Star Member No Vested Interest (2,588 posts)
3. I treat meself to a pedicure every few months - not frequently enough really.

I go to a nail salon in a very large mall, where I figure the poor pedicurist has seen everything, so that actually mine are not the worst they've seen.
And, yes, I do see men as well as women in there, too.
For some nails, I can clip between times at homes, but, obviously, not the worst.
They also give a leg massage, sometimes at an extra price, while there, and work on callouses.

The thing I've heard about podiatrists, is that Medicare will pay for treatments if you say your toes hurt.
That may be cut back, with closer watching of Medicare payments, but bears looking into.
I've never been to a podiatrist, though my doc has recommended because of pre-diabetes.
I believe, and someone else can verify if true, that podiatrist treatments are considered part of diabetic care.

Anybody want to volunteer to be the pedicurist grinding off this primitive's toenails? 

Fri Jan 2, 2015, 04:45 AM
ellenrr (2,832 posts)
6. it is true, if you say your toes hurt, medicare will cover,

when I went to the podiatrist, the one that cut them too close, he and his nurse coached me into saying my toes hurt.
but it didn't feel right to lie. there are enough people de-frauding medicare, that is why I don't want to be another.
I wouldn't mind paying someone to do that if it cost $20.00, but with the cost of medical care, I'm sure the cost if I paid out of pocket is going to be $70.00, way beyond my ability to pay.
I have a torn meniscus in my knee, perhaps that will enable me to be covered by medicare. But if I have to have my dr certify- forget it!
I've been waiting 5 weeks for him to fill out a form for me to get a housing adaptation.!
can you believe it.?

This primitive has obviously spent some time lurking in the disability forum.

Sun Jan 11, 2015, 08:34 PM
Star Member RKP5637 (35,739 posts)
15. I see a podiatrist every 2 months or so. He uses a grinder of sorts, something like a

dremel to reduce the thickness and then trims them, It's doesn't hurt at all, but it does vibrate quite a bit, it tickles the toes. I also have a nail cutter that's something like a side cutter used to cut heavy wire. I start at one edge and just trim a little at a time working my way across.

Tue Jan 13, 2015, 04:49 AM
Paper Roses (5,817 posts)
17. A relative of mine had to trim her nails with a commercial grade rasp.

I's sure there are better ways to trim back nails but at the time, this was all she could do. It did the job but took a long time.

Thu Jul 2, 2015, 11:26 PM
Star Member demosincebirth (9,600 posts)
25. You might have toe nail fungus. If you do good luck. Any way, try Tree tea oil

[JohnnyReb]

...and I thought I was fat. I can at least cut my own toe nails.

A few years ago a local podiatrist was charging Medicare $800 per person to trim the toe nails of nursing home patients. He billed Medicare for "foot surgery". The feds finally nailed his ass and sent him to prison for a few years.

[BannedFromDU]

...and I thought I was fat. I can at least cut my own toe nails.

A few years ago a local podiatrist was charging Medicare $800 per person to trim the toe nails of nursing home patients. He billed Medicare for "foot surgery". The feds finally nailed his ass and sent him to prison for a few years.

     I have heard from a couple of nurses that foot care is often overlooked for the elderly, and toenails can often become a problem.

     To the extent that these people are posting on a site which has an editorial stance of "who cares" when it comes to the topic of babies being mutilated in utero to access organs, however, these elderly DUmmies can ****ing die unattended and in piles of their own shit for all I care about them, let alone their toenails.

     <-------- taking exactly zero in terms of shit from DUmmies today.

[BattleHymn]

     I have heard from a couple of nurses that foot care is often overlooked for the elderly, and toenails can often become a problem.

     To the extent that these people are posting on a site which has an editorial stance of "who cares" when it comes to the topic of babies being mutilated in utero to access organs, however, these elderly DUmmies can ****ing die unattended and in piles of their own shit for all I care about them, let alone their toenails.

     <-------- taking exactly zero in terms of shit from DUmmies today.

One of the DUmmies mentioned that they had their toenails pulled out.  That's a job I could get behind doing.

[USA4ME]

My Dad had thick toe nails when he got in his 80's. You'd snip those suckers and, of course, they didn't just clip, they would snap as you finally got the cut. Sound like a freakin' helicopter flying past your ear.

.

[BlueStateSaint]

Toenail clippers won't work, eh, DUmmie?  Try a jigsaw.  Get really stoned beforehand, because if you manage to sever a couple of toes, you damn well don't want to feel it!

[dane]

Thu Jan 1, 2015, 10:52 PM
Star Member No Vested Interest (2,588 posts)
snipped out the blah blah blah

I've never been to a podiatrist, though my doc has recommended because of pre-diabetes.

One would think the doc would suggest watching what it eats, lose weight, and getting more exercise - that works extremely well for 'pre-diabetes'.  Change in life-style can be a wonder drug

[thundley4]

Sun Jan 11, 2015, 08:34 PM
Star Member RKP5637 (35,739 posts)
15. I see a podiatrist every 2 months or so. He uses a grinder of sorts, something like a

dremel to reduce the thickness and then trims them, It's doesn't hurt at all, but it does vibrate quite a bit, it tickles the toes. I also have a nail cutter that's something like a side cutter used to cut heavy wire. I start at one edge and just trim a little at a time working my way across.

[Boudicca]

OH MY GAWD.  They really WILL discuss anything, won't they?
Thanks for another helpful thread whenever the urge to eat too much overtakes me!!

[FiddyBeowulf]

One would think the doc would suggest watching what it eats, lose weight, and getting more exercise - that works extremely well for 'pre-diabetes'.  Change in life-style can be a wonder drug

But if the DUmmie gets diabetes the problem will take care of itself. You need not worry about trimming your toenails if you have no toes. 

[diesel driver]

I actually use one of those to trim a fingernail on a finger I lost the last 1/2 inch of the tip to a V-belt.  It won't grow out enough to use clippers on, so I have to grind it smooth every 2 weeks or so.

As far as DUmmies' toenails, use a pair of side-cutting wire pliers (some people call them "dikes".  Very appro.)

[BattleHymn]

I've always had problems with one of my big toes because I stuck it between the gears of a stationary bicycle when I was 8.  That's when I got my first taste of whiskey, just a few minutes before my dad pulled out my nail with a pliers.  The nail has never been right since, but you don't see me asking advice on how to manage it on the interwebnets. 

[Chris_]

Amputation.

It's the only way to be sure.

[ColonelCarrots]

The worst is when people do it in public. I heard someone clipping their nails in church. In church! So gross. Also thankfully, TSA, banned clippers on planes. Unless that's been changed.

[BattleHymn]

Amputation.

It's the only way to be sure.

Good call. 

Don't be stingy, primitives.  Be sure you opt for the neck down amputation when you're filling out the necessary forms.