Toenails... again

[JoeWras]

Over the years, there have been threads about toenails. It's been a few years, so I'm starting a new one to avoid burying the lede.

My lede is about toenail clippers. Most of the threads devolve into fungus discussions, and I suspect this one would too, which is fine. But what about clippers while you have the thickened nails?

I discovered this one:
Amazon.com : Mehaz 668 Pro Angled Wide Jaw Toenail Clipper : Beauty & Personal Care

This one was discussed on bogleheads before the thread was shut down. (They don't allow health threads.) So I give credit to whomever mentioned it there.

For the first time in a decade, cutting my most thickened nails was a breeze. The device also has good leverage.

On my last doc visit I discussed the problem, and my doc still isn't sold on stuff like Jublia. He still thinks Lamisil (internal) is best. I'm not so sure I want to take that stuff for a year. I'd rather just live with the problem, and right now, the clippers help me do that.

 

[Sunset]

I was expecting to see some dramatic toenail clipper.

Instead I see one similar to what I use, my big one is 3.25 in long not 3.4 in, and my opening is 2/16 not 3/16.
Mine is all metal

I imagine the opening is pretty much the key element.

I always worry that the side effects of a drug are worse than the cure: "Some people taking Lamisil have developed severe liver damage leading to liver transplant or death."
https://www.drugs.com/lamisil.html

 

[JoeWras]

That extra 1/16" makes a big difference for me.

 

[Koolau]

The problem I have is that I no longer bend as well as I used to so it's difficult to reach my toes with the clipper (Full disclosure: the spare tire doesn't help anything.) My old clippers still work, but to an extent, I'm doing it by braille. YMMV

 

[6miths]

I had more luck with Lamisil than Jublia. Two courses of each. But yes liver damage is a worry with Lamisil

 

[street]

The problem I have is that I no longer bend as well as I used to so it's difficult to reach my toes with the clipper (Full disclosure: the spare tire doesn't help anything.) My old clippers still work, but to an extent, I'm doing it by braille. YMMV

LOL! Not laughing about you but find your comments entertaining and real life can be interesting as we age.
Best of Luck My Friend! Lol

The bending over thing you described is a chore for sure. I will say my toenails are not thick so very easy to work them. I will say I don't think my toenails have changed in my lifetime yet, still look like when I was in high school.

 

[JoeWras]

The bending thing is real, even if you are thin.

Once my parents hit 80, they both started having them done at a podiatrist. Blow that dough.

 

[Koolau]

The bending thing is real, even if you are thin.

Once my parents hit 80, they both started having them done at a podiatrist. Blow that dough.

Yeah, and that's an office call - hopefully partially covered by MC.

 

[MrsHaloFIRE]

Reading, as I do everything, through the eyes of a new mom with a tiny baby, I want to mention I easily do her nails with essentially a battery powered dremel. Amazon, $10 or so, several grits of heads come with it. This could be helpful for someone doing nails for say someone sick or someone who can't risk a nick. I dremeled my hand to start with to test safety and strength. She does great with it and it will take off length and file down edges on mine as well. No risk of cutting her.

 

[Koolau]

Reading, as I do everything, through the eyes of a new mom with a tiny baby, I want to mention I easily do her nails with essentially a battery powered dremel. Amazon, $10 or so, several grits of heads come with it. This could be helpful for someone doing nails for say someone sick or someone who can't risk a nick. I dremeled my hand to start with to test safety and strength. She does great with it and it will take off length and file down edges on mine as well. No risk of cutting her.

Do you know what it's called? I'd give it a try.

 

[skyking1]

We have this one.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KGP9G6N/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The bending thing? DW and I do each others, problem solved.

 

[Koolau]

We have this one.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KGP9G6N/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The bending thing? DW and I do each others, problem solved.

Yeah, we've tried that too, but I'm so sensitive and she's so blind that it just doesn't work for us. YMMV

 

[FlaGator]

The bending thing is real, even if you are thin.

Once my parents hit 80, they both started having them done at a podiatrist. Blow that dough.

Or get a pedicure once in a while at nail salon with a comp beer/wine

 

[Koolau]

Or get a pedicure once in a while at nail salon with a comp beer/wine

I don't think I could deal with a pedicure. Just too icky of an idea - I know it's me, but just not into it. YMMV

 

[skyking1]

I've had a couple. DW is pretty good tho, so it is more of a treat. The girls go every now and again.

 

[W2R]

I don't have any trouble clipping my own nails. I think females probably have naturally stretchier tissues than males do, for giving birth? Anyway I can bend pretty easily to clip my nails, especially if I am on a bed. I have noticed it's a tiny bit harder now than it was 10 years ago, but still not at all difficult.

Frank, on the other hand, has hip joint issues which will require a hip replacement in a few years. He can't bend his joints enough to clip the nails on that foot. So, I do it for him (he does the other foot). I told him that if/when I croak before he does, he may need regular pedicures to get his nails clipped.

 

[Sunset]

We have this one.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KGP9G6N/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The bending thing? DW and I do each others, problem solved.

That thing could cut off a toe

 

[JoeWras]

That thing could cut off a toe

Someone mentioned baby toes? Yikes!

 

[big-papa]

I had more luck with Lamisil than Jublia. Two courses of each. But yes liver damage is a worry with Lamisil

Sadly, I'm allergic to Lamasil which I only found out about after having used a topical with the same active ingredient on athlete's foot years ago. Glad that taking Lamasil orally wasn't my first exposure to it!

Cheers.

 

[Koolau]

That thing could cut off a toe

Vee haff veys of meking you tawk!

 

[big-papa]

Over the years, there have been threads about toenails. It's been a few years, so I'm starting a new one to avoid burying the lede.

My lede is about toenail clippers. Most of the threads devolve into fungus discussions, and I suspect this one would too, which is fine. But what about clippers while you have the thickened nails?

I discovered this one:
Amazon.com : Mehaz 668 Pro Angled Wide Jaw Toenail Clipper : Beauty & Personal Care

This one was discussed on bogleheads before the thread was shut down. (They don't allow health threads.) So I give credit to whomever mentioned it there.

For the first time in a decade, cutting my most thickened nails was a breeze. The device also has good leverage.

On my last doc visit I discussed the problem, and my doc still isn't sold on stuff like Jublia. He still thinks Lamisil (internal) is best. I'm not so sure I want to take that stuff for a year. I'd rather just live with the problem, and right now, the clippers help me do that.

Can't take Lamasil (allergy) Tried Jublia and didn't do much for me. Only thing so far that has worked for me has been Nonyx - a topical gel that smells like thickened vinegar, though likely a bit stronger. I put it on and then wrap the toe in a bandage. Still takes months because toenails take a while to grow out. But along the line of trimmers as well as improving the effectiveness of a topical, I use a Dremel tool and carefully thin down the toenail first. Makes it easier to clip with normal trimmers, too. But one should be extremely careful.

And there are tools out there specifically for this - similar to what podiatrists use.

Cheers.

 

[Jerry1]

I bought these a couple years ago and they work great. As has been mentioned, the hardest part is getting into position. Just not as flexible as I used to be.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0716XRCYN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1


I also have a pair like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Kaasage-Clip...s&qid=1654601040&sprefix=Toe+,aps,131&sr=8-25

For me, they seem to be easier to manipulate so I don’t cut too deep.

 

[braumeister]

For my mom's last decade, I cut her nails every month or two. She would soak her feet in a dishpan of warm water for 20 minutes beforehand, and when I showed up her nails were relatively soft and easy to cut.

 

[JoeWras]

Only thing so far that has worked for me has been Nonyx - a topical gel that smells like thickened vinegar, though likely a bit stronger. I put it on and then wrap the toe in a bandage. Still takes months because toenails take a while to grow out.

I haven't tried those because they are not a "cure," however, I think it is worth a shot to knock things back and at least get the nail looking more normal.

BTW: I looked this up on Amazon and the customer images came pouring it. They were both useful and disgusting.

I also have a pair like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Kaasage-Clip...s&qid=1654601040&sprefix=Toe+,aps,131&sr=8-25

For me, they seem to be easier to manipulate so I don’t cut too deep.

My mom had those. (BTW, thanks for the fungus, mom.) I thought about using my wire cutters, because that's what they look like.

 

[Aerides]

Another vote here for pedicures for everyone. It's not just the nails that need maintenance! Your feet, and your spouses, will thank you.