Trimming & Cutting Toe Nails

L

Lon

Well-known Member
Location
Central California
Despite my flat stomach and no trouble bending over, cutting my toe nails is a major endeavor for me. I have Peripheral Neuropathy in both feet from past chemo treatments and have to take real care not to cut into the flesh on my toes since there is little or no feeling. This is just one of a number of things that I find to be a real chore as I age. Oh well, what the hell. :D
 

Lon said:
Despite my flat stomach and no trouble bending over, cutting my toe nails is a major endeavor for me. I have Peripheral Neuropathy in both feet from past chemo treatments and have to take real care not to cut into the flesh on my toes since there is little or no feeling. This is just one of a number of things that I find to be a real chore as I age. Oh well, what the hell. :D
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Why don't you go to for a pedicure? There are lot's of men clients in the shop I go to. Most of them are older and have diabetes and/or neuropathy. You could go to a doc, but that's a lot of money for a toenail cut and cuticle trim.
 
QuickSilver said:
Why don't you go to for a pedicure? There are lot's of men clients in the shop I go to. Most of them are older and have diabetes and/or neuropathy. You could go to a doc, but that's a lot of money for a toenail cut and cuticle trim.
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Great idea and thanks. There is a place just a block away from me.
 

A pedicure in a shop is not really a good idea,although it sounds good. If you read the signs on their walls,they actually say that they will not work on people with diabetes or neuropathy. Very good reason for this-it`s not unusual (not good,but not unusual nonetheless) for them to nick or cut you. So it`s basically the same as you doing it yourself. Best to go to a Podiatrist. Not sure if Medicare covers-I will ask my brother. He goes all the time. Will be talking to him today.
 
Ken N Tx said:
Took my 94 year old. MIL to a foot doctor, covered by Medicare..
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Yes, it is if you have an underlying disease. Diabetes would be one. I am covered because I had/still have CIDP [ the chronic form of Guillaine-Barre ].

I was told to be very careful about a pedicure in a shop as the equipment they use, and even the water bath, are not always particularly sterile.

Rocky
 
Mrs. Robinson said:
A pedicure in a shop is not really a good idea,although it sounds good. If you read the signs on their walls,they actually say that they will not work on people with diabetes or neuropathy. Very good reason for this-it`s not unusual (not good,but not unusual nonetheless) for them to nick or cut you. So it`s basically the same as you doing it yourself. Best to go to a Podiatrist. Not sure if Medicare covers-I will ask my brother. He goes all the time. Will be talking to him today.
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Really? My shop welcomes diabetics for nail care.. and they are licensed by the State. People are in there all the time for a nail trim and a foot check.
 
QuickSilver said:
Really? My shop welcomes diabetics for nail care.. and they are licensed by the State. People are in there all the time for a nail trim and a foot check.
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Yikes! I have had a technician cut me before (never went back there,obviously) but it could be a state law kind of thing. I am a licensed Phlebotomist in California,I had to go to school and pass a state exam to become licensed. In other states,you can just have someone show you how to draw blood and there you go. I wonder if they had to have any kind of special training to do foot care on diabetics?

At any rate,I just talked to my brother and he gets his done by a Podiatrist,but it is through Kaiser,his HMO,and he pays $35.00,which is his copay for any visit. So not sure what it would cost for a visit with a private Podiatrist.
 
I do my own toe nails, only had a pedicure once and didn't care for it. There are many places who do not sterilize their tools or sanitize their water, etc. People can get some serious infections from going to those nail places that are on every other corner in America. If I had diabetes, I would definitely go to a quality facility that specialized in clean and careful nail cutting...or see a foot doctor.
 
Even though I have the body of a Greek god with rippling muscles and satin-smooth skin, my Achilles Heel has always been my toenails. They tend to bear the consistency of forged steel, curve into my toe flesh on a consistent basis and have been known to take down hawks in flight when cut.

I'd never let one of those Korean dames cut them, though ... they'd probably slice off my foot. :(
 
Mrs. Robinson said:
Yikes! I have had a technician cut me before (never went back there,obviously) but it could be a state law kind of thing. I am a licensed Phlebotomist in California,I had to go to school and pass a state exam to become licensed. In other states,you can just have someone show you how to draw blood and there you go. I wonder if they had to have any kind of special training to do foot care on diabetics?

At any rate,I just talked to my brother and he gets his done by a Podiatrist,but it is through Kaiser,his HMO,and he pays $35.00,which is his copay for any visit. So not sure what it would cost for a visit with a private Podiatrist.
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As with anything... you have to use common sense.. If you do your homework there is no reason you cannot have a licensed nail technician care for your toenails.

Here are some recommendations for individuals who decide to go ahead and have a pedicure. This was taken from an article about pedicures in the "Diabetes Forecast" October 2008 issue.
  • Use good judgment. Be picky about the salon. Check out several salons and look into sanitation practices and how they clean their tools. At one local salon in our area, you buy your own tools and they are kept in a box with your name.
  • Inspect the foot tub. Does it get cleaned between clients?
  • Inspect the tools. Stainless steel instruments are more sanitary than wooden sticks.
  • Don't be afraid to give the nail technician instructions. Let them know you have diabetes. Water temperature of 90-95 degrees should be safe, avoid razors, no lotion between the toes, and be gentle.
  • If you shave your legs, stop 2 days before the appointment to decrease your chances of bacteria entering nicks or cuts.
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OK,I looked it up and apparently it is not against the law. However,it does say that you should tell the technician if you are diabetic or have any other health issues that could be of a concern. So now I wonder what the tech would say if I told them I am diabetic when they have that sign hanging on their wall? Somehow I think they would still do the pedicure but if there was to be a problem,they would point to the sign and shrug their shoulders.
 
Lon, also see if there's a place that offers waterless pedicures in your area, I would think CA would be up on the latest techniques along with providing extra care for people with your condition.

Extreme care should be taken and questions asked of the salon before you even consider going to have your nails clipped at anyplace other than with a medical professional if you have a foot condition. But overall it can be a safe pleasant experience if you follow precautions. But for a diabetic especially if you have neuropathy, this isn't anything to mess around with a nick and some not so sanitary practices in a salon can lead to serious issues. Like Mrs Robinson, I too have been nicked and to the point of seeing blood and sometimes they act like nothing has happened even in an upscale establishment. Personally, I love getting a pedicure, but, I developed issues after a while that I never had before, so, presently I'm on the prowl for a place I feel more confident in their practices. For one thing, best to bring your own equipment, if possible. I so wish I could find a place closer to home that does the waterless pedi.

A couple of interesting reads:

Taken from this article since the OP has neuropathy, that's what I'm most concerned about as to how a pedicure might affect him:
http://www.wellheeleddiabetic.com/2012/07/06/diabetics-and-pedicures/

"The danger for a diabetic when it comes to getting a pedicure has to do with neuropathy, i.e.. damage to nerves in the body due to long-term high blood sugars. A diabetic can potentially cut their foot during (or prior to) a pedicure and not realize it because of nerve damage. That cut can then become become infected (due to non-sterile salon tools or dirty basin water) and eventually require surgery or even amputation. According to my doctor (who checks my feet during each visit), though, because my A1C is currently a very healthy 5.9, I am at an extremely low risk for neuropathy and can, therefore, head to the salon regularly. There are, of course, some things to consider first, though. Number one, make sure to choose a good (read: clean) salon. We have all happened upon those ultra-skeevy salons out there. Yes, they may be a heck of a lot cheaper, but at what cost? Use common sense and avoid them like the plague! (This advice goes for non-diabetics, as well!) Second, always tell your manicurist that you are a diabetic so he or she can use extra care when cutting and filing. Three, take a look at your feet in between visits to make sure that you do not have any cuts, bruises or infections. Other than that, sit back, relax and enjoy!"

http://www.diabetesforecast.org/2008/jul/the-truth-about-pedicures.html

http://www.usneuropathycenters.com/blog/proper-nail-care-diabetic-neuropathy
 
I've been going to a Vietnamese pedicure establishment for about 2 years. They do things I never did when trying to "do" my own;

cuticle, grind down the thickness, massage my calfs etc They always sprinkle antiseptic powder into the water.

They only "nipped" me once; just a tiny dot, on which she administered antiseptic. It was all gone the next day. The (wound !
I go about once a month. Going to a podiatrist is much too costly. My Vietnamese girls charge $15-$18/visit. I always tip them
$5 because they work so hard.
 
Everytime something comes up about toe nail cutting, I think of of an episode at work many years ago. As I was walking by the desk of a middle age lady, there she was........cutting her toe nails right in view of everyone. Needless to say, I never asked her out on a date. ;)
 
Put in perspective folks.... they are NOT doing foot surgery.. they are cutting toenails... Nothing special about it... They are just toenails... diabetic or not..no special training needed beyond knowing how to cut toenails.. They just have to be certain they do not somehow cut the foot.. so no callous removal.. They also have to make sure the equipment is sterilized.. but they should do that for everyone.. not just diabetics.. Co it me to think of it.. they shouldn't be cutting anyone's foot.
 
Bullie76 said:
Everytime something comes up about toe nail cutting, I think of of an episode at work many years ago. As I was walking by the desk of a middle age lady, there she was........cutting her toe nails right in view of everyone. Needless to say, I never asked her out on a date. ;)
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Now if she had her foot up to her mouth and she was biting them.... you may have reconsidered? lol!!
 
Bullie76 said:
Everytime something comes up about toe nail cutting, I think of of an episode at work many years ago. As I was walking by the desk of a middle age lady, there she was........cutting her toe nails right in view of everyone. Needless to say, I never asked her out on a date. ;)
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Reminds me of a friend who was sitting at the DMV for a couple of hours last year and posting from her phone about some of the characters there. The guy next to her pulled off his sandals and proceeded to clip his toenails-and stacking the clippings in a neat little pile on the chair next to him! Eeeewwwwww!!!
 
QuickSilver said:
Put in perspective folks.... they are NOT doing foot surgery.. they are cutting toenails... Nothing special about it... They are just toenails... diabetic or not..no special training needed beyond knowing how to cut toenails.. They just have to be certain they do not somehow cut the foot.. so no callous removal.. They also have to make sure the equipment is sterilized.. but they should do that for everyone.. not just diabetics.. Co it me to think of it.. they shouldn't be cutting anyone's foot.
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I guess if they are cutting toenails only,it`s probably not much of a concern. But when I hear "pedicure",I think of the whole nine yards. The callous removal,the sharp instruments under the nails,the nippers cutting the cuticles etc.
 
Mrs. Robinson said:
I guess if they are cutting toenails only,it`s probably not much of a concern. But when I hear "pedicure",I think of the whole nine yards. The callous removal,the sharp instruments under the nails,the nippers cutting the cuticles etc.
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I agree, it's more of a concern for sure when you have medical issues like diabetes. I personally wouldn't want to have to walk into a place either, and demand that they prove their tools are sterilized, their water sanitary, etc. If you are already suffering with a condition, better to go to a reputable service/doctor for a pedicure.
 
Doctors don't give pedicures... But whatever... I personally wouldn't worry at all about going to a reputable licensed shop... BUT.... everyone should do what they are comfortable with.. I suppose, having taught diabetic foot care in the past, I'm not as overwhelmed by the prospect..as I understand the necessary precautions.
 
SeaBreeze said:
Looks like some of them do. http://www.footwellnessdoctor.com/services/medical-pedicures/
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No they don't... they are done by licensed nail technicians.. that would be the day an MD would do that... I can assure you..

http://www.smithmedicalpedicures.com/medical-pedicures.html

Licensed nail technicians understand the anatomy and structure of the skin and nails and take care of your feet under the supervision of aboard certified podiatrist in foot and ankle surgery.
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Each of our nail technicians have completed an internship and training under a podiatrist.
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So the very same type of nail tech sits with a podiatrist for a few hours and learns about diabetic feet. AND charges $72.00
 

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