How to keep your toenails looking great as you get older

Taking proper care of your feet is super important. With age, our toenails become more brittle, thicker, dryer and sometimes discolouration appears. And if you aren’t taking proper care of your feet and toes, these changes can heighten and become a lot worse.

So if you’re concerned about your feet ageing, here are our top 10 tips to make sure your toenails stay in great, healthy condition.

1. Look for irregularities

Take a good look at your feet and see if you notice any changes. Are your nails discoloured? Do they appear thick? Do they smell? If so, you might have a bacterial infection, which should be seen by a doctor.

Meanwhile, if you have diabetes, it’s also very important that you keep your feet and toenails looking and feeling fresh, while checking them regularly for any chance of infection.

2. Stay warm and dry

Fungal infections breed in damp conditions such as a sweaty sock or tight shoe. So to ensure you don’t pick up any unwanted bacteria, dry your feet thoroughly and ensure you have nice loose shoes and clean socks.

3. Cut toenails properly

While it can be tempting to want to cut your toenails very short, it could lead to very painful ingrown toenails. So if you’re planning to trim down your nail, aim to cut them straight across with no curves.

4. Keep elevated

If you notice your feet are starting to feel numb or worse for wear, try popping them up on a stool. Research has shown that by keeping your feet elevated, you can maintain better foot circulation. We’d also recommend avoiding crossing your legs as it can cause problems for you circulation.

5. Avoid nail polish

Nail polish may look great but it can irritate your nail bed, especially if you already have a fungal infection. If you must use nail polish, try to avoid touching the skin around your nails.

6. Use lemon

It’s safe to say no one enjoys having discoloured toenails, but luckily there is a quick way to fix it! Simply soak your toenails in a bowl of lemon juice for roughly 10 to 15 minutes, then use a soft toothbrush to scrub off the discolouration. Toothpaste also works well!

7. Treat your toenail fungus with mouthwash

It sounds strange but mouthwash is filled with strong compounds and antiseptics such as salicylate thymol, a type of alcohol and eucalyptol which when combined, forms a strong toenail fungus treatment. Fill up a bucket with one part Listerine and one part vinegar until your toes are completely covered. Then use a pumice stone to scratch the nails so the solution absorbs into them. It’s that easy!

8. Take a walk

Letting your feet breathe with a nice walk barefoot can really do a world of good. If you live near a beach, dip your toes into the sea water – it’ll do wonders for infections.

9. Moisturise

Dry and brittle toenails can be uncomfortable, especially if you want to wear open sandals. Luckily, moisturising can be a great way to treat dry and brittle nails. Every day, lather up your feet in a good foot moisturiser and pat dry.

10. Eat well

Remember that the appearance of your toenails represents your overall health. Eating a proper diet of whole foods and avoiding processed foods will improve the overall look and appearance of your toes.

Do you have this problem? What have you tried?