I can deal with so many disgusting things, insects, body fluids, rotting garbage, road kill. But for some reason my father's feet freak me out. His toenails need to be dealt with. You have no idea. Or maybe you do. You could trim off yellow guitar picks. Who can I hire to deal with cutting his toenails? He's not able to walk and I think that he'd find a pedicure in a salon humiliating. Is a podiatrist overkill? I just can't bring myself to trim them. My mother's hands are too shaky for me to suggest that she do it. My understanding is that it is forbidden for CNAs or nurses though he's not diabetic.
86 Answers
Helpful Newest
First Oldest
First
Let the expert handle it. He/She has tools to handle anything. They dont in the salon.They are not allowed to do feet with nail fungus. That can actually spread to other toes and to other people if equipt is not cleaned properly. Im not saying salons dont clean, but that can hide in crevices in the foot bath motor and not be touched by the cleaning product/water.
ADVERTISEMENT
The only problem is how do I convince him to go. He refuses to go to the Dr. He is 91.
Long yellow toenails.
He had to increase one shoe size because of his long toenails.
Im so glad to find this site and a solution
My FIL cut his own nails, once, and cut himself. He was on warfarin therapy and bled so badly I took him to have stitches. He wasn't diabetic. I started taking him to a podiatrist and later his visiting nurse clipped them. Just another reason to let a doctor RX pedicure. I was a CNA at a skilled nursing facility, and we were (then-1992) allowed to file nails and clipped them in training. Well, guess what-I snipped one patient's fingernail so afterward became hyperaware of how easily an injury can happen. Since then, as a HHA, I am way too uncomfortable to cut anyone's toenails, diabetic or not!
There are all sorts of issues regarding non-diabetic circulatory inefficiency neuropathy, skin integrity that can cause more problems.
It's unfortunate that podiatric nail care is usually only covered for diabetics! I myself could really use orthopedic shoes but that's because of a pretty severe crossed toe deformity after bunion surgery failed several years ago. Now I am having trouble walking.
Anyway, a podiatist is the best way to approach managing ANY foot problems.
Leave it to the professionals and keep regular appointments. Soak feet in Epsom salts or apple cider vinegar between visits, keep them clean and then keep them dry and in the open air as much as possible. Topical fungal creams really do not work, but it can't hurt to use one to keep some moisture on dry toe nails a few times a week.
Keep tub and shower floors super clean. You are not alone and it is weird and gross if the nails are out of control!
After using an over/counter product "heals in one week"
About $18 at W/M, sometimes cheaper online...
it did. I still have the problem, but now the nails
are flat and manageable.
I have been using this product for about 9 mo.
Softens the nail and skin. Allows me to file without drawing blood.
The toenails have flattened.
The package distinctly says that you can not heal this without
a prescription.
However, maintenance is a good thing.
Before, I would try to flatten the nails with filing, and would draw blood.
The quick grows up into the arch of the affected nail .
Now, my nails look "normal". Flat, no blood.
The medication apparently keeps the quick from over growing.
This also helped with arching/ingrown toenails.
Easy fix: stuff cotton under the nail so that the nail won't drive like a spear into the skin.
That is not a cutting. It is lifting the nail to train its growth.
The medication softens the nail,too. If applied too often.
The nail bed tends to dissolve. (good up to a certain point).
Then you cut back.
I can wear regular shoes now without my big toe jabbing into the upper last.
Yes, and to gross you out, I do have to dig in under the nail, but it's my nail.
I follow up later with itty bitty scissors.
And well worth the trouble.
Another skin softener is hydrogen peroxide.
When the nail loosens, using the above-mentioned product", cut back;
you have gone far enough.
I did work in a nursing home
and saw a pnt admitted with 8" curved toenails.
Somebody, somewhere, held on as long as they could.
You are not alone.
Mom (84) and I both have ingrown toenails, so we get pedicures every month. Mom's is so bad from years of work shoes, but They do great work and it really looks so much better. Find someone who can come to your home & pamper his feet & after a while he may come to enjoy it!
Also, if he has long thick toenails (fungus) ask the podiatrist Dr for a prescription Ciclopirox CREAM 0.77%. Apply on toenails around and under the nails in the morning and at bed time.
After using the Ciclopirox Cream, in 2-3 weeks the skin pulls away from the toenails, making it easier to clip without any pain; do this in the morning and at night. I did this for my Dad, and I also, use the cream morning and bedtime.
Don't feel bad, everybody has their "gross out".
A podiatrist would be the one to choose. Especially if he has nail fungus that turns the nails thick and yellow. These are very hard to cut.
You are right, a CNA is not allowed to cut hair or nails in all the companies I know of.
You are right, CNA's are not legally able to clip the toenails of their client. This has to be done by a Licensed Pedicurist or Podiatrist.
You can google "Mobile Foot care" Or "Mobile Pedicurist/Podiatrist" for your area and see what comes up.
Hope this helped you out.
I've seen what ya'll deal with when you're going thru Cosmetology school! People should spend a day or two when the nursing homes bring their residents to you for practice. I've seen some extremely disgusting feet.
Howard Hughes hands/feet looked manicured compared to what these students have to put up with.