Most people don’t think twice about trimming their nails. It’s a basic hygiene practice that we’ve been taught since childhood. However, this seemingly harmless routine can actually cause harm to your health.

Here are some reasons why cutting nails can be harmful for you.

Ingrown Nails

Ingrown nails may occur when a nail grows into the skin surrounding the nail. This can cause pain, redness, swelling, and even infection.

Ingrown nails can be caused by cutting nails too short, rounding the corners of nails, or wearing shoes that put pressure on the toes. Prevention is key to avoiding ingrown nails. It’s recommended to trim nails straight across and avoid cutting them too short.

Bleeding and Infection

Cutting nails too close to the flesh can result in bleeding and infection. This is especially common with toenails, where it’s harder to see and reach the nail bed. A small cut on your toe can lead to serious infection if not properly treated.

It’s important to use proper nail clippers and sanitize them after each use to prevent the spread of germs.

Excessive Dryness

Cutting nails too frequently can cause excessive dryness. This can lead to brittle nails that crack and break easily. It’s recommended to trim nails once a week and moisturize them with lotion or oil.

This will not only prevent dryness but also make them healthier and stronger.

Fungal Infection

Fungal infections are common in nails, especially toenails. Cutting nails too short or too close to the skin can make them more susceptible to fungus. Fungal infections can cause discoloration, thickening, and separation of the nail from the nail bed.

Prevention is key to avoiding fungal infections. It’s recommended to trim nails straight across and avoid cutting them too short or too close to the skin. Keep your nails clean and dry, and avoid sharing nail clippers or other tools with others.

Damage to Nail Bed

Cutting nails too aggressively can cause damage to the nail bed. The nail bed is the skin underneath the nail, where new nail cells grow. Damaging the nail bed can cause pain, swelling, and even changes in the shape of the nail.

It’s important to be gentle when trimming nails and to never use sharp objects such as scissors or knives.

Increased Risk of Warts

Warts are caused by a virus that can enter the body through a small cut or scratch. Cutting nails too short or too close to the skin can increase the risk of warts developing under the nail.

Warts can be painful and unsightly, and can take weeks or even months to go away. Prevention is key to avoiding warts. It’s recommended to trim nails straight across and avoid cutting them too short or too close to the skin.

Nail Biting

Nail biting is a bad habit that can damage the nails and the skin around them. It can also introduce bacteria into the body, leading to infection. Nail biting can be a sign of anxiety or stress, and it’s important to address the underlying issue.

Applying bitter-tasting polish or wearing gloves can help break the habit.

The Bottom Line

Cutting nails may seem like a mundane task, but it’s important to take proper precautions to avoid any harm.

Trimming nails straight across, using proper nail clippers, and sanitizing tools after each use can help prevent ingrown nails, bleeding, infection, dryness, fungal infection, damage to nail bed, increased risk of warts, and nail biting.