Softening nails that have become too hard to cut can be an integral part of grooming for some people. Toenail fungus is one condition that makes nails harder than normal. This can pose issues for normal grooming routines. The hardened nails can often be too hard to cut at all, which means they might just continue growing. This can lead to toenails that are excessively long, which can be both uncomfortable and unsightly. Fungal thickening of the nails can also increase the difficulty of trimming the nails regularly.

Instructions:

Softening nails in this state is a matter of getting them to absorb as much water as possible. The best way to do this is also fairly simple. To soften your nails, soak them in a bath of warm water for 20-40 minutes. This can be done in the bathtub, or any other container big enough to fit your feet in. You can do this as regularly as you like until your nails have become soft enough to trim. 

Softening nails can also be accomplished with nail softening creams. These are useful if your nails aren’t responding well enough to regular foot soaks. They can be applied nightly after the foot soak to further soften the toenail.

Treatment options:

Permanently softening nails that have been hardened by fungus can only be accomplished by curing the fungal infection itself. To do this, an FDA-approved treatment should be done by a licensed medical professional. Podiatrists are the best professionals for this treatment since they are doctors who specialize in feet. The best treatment available for the fungus itself is the PinPointe laser, which typically requires only one treatment to completely eliminate the fungal spores in the nail bed. To schedule a consultation with a licensed podiatrist for the PinPointe laser, give us a call at 1-(800) 672-0625 or visit our website for more information.