Trimming and clipping nails can be a major source of stress for both children and parents. Caring for a child’s nails is important because the nails themselves are vital for protecting sensitive fingers, relieving itching, and grasping objects. Here are some secrets and some best nail scissors for your and your baby’s nail care.
Cleaning the Nails
Have you ever taken the time to see how readily dirt and other impurities can accumulate under one’s nails? Because it is so easy for bacteria to thrive under long fingernails, it is especially vital to keep your baby’s nails cut reasonably short. In most cases, simply washing your hands with soap and water is not sufficient to adequately clean the area behind your nails. When it comes time to clean the filth that builds up under the edges of your child’s nails, you can use nail clippers, a soft nail brush, or a fresh toothbrush to get the job done. This is of the utmost importance, especially if your youngster bites his nails or chews on them.
Nail Clipping is Easier than you Think
New parents are often embarrassed to cut their children’s nails because they are afraid of cutting their fingers. For some reason, as a nurse, I feel more qualified to cut children’s nails, but it is actually much easier than you think. It is important to keep children’s nails short to avoid scratching their faces or eyes. To cut your child’s nails, buy scissors or nail clippers for children. If your child’s hands refuse to stop moving, ask a friend to hold them still.
In addition to that, you can file your child’s nails gently. Pinch the finger before cutting the nails to prevent damaging the skin on your finger. If you cut your fingertip by accident and it is bleeding, apply some light pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding, and then carefully clean the area with some soap and water. Call your child’s doctor immediately if the bleeding does not stop or if it appears that the skin is becoming infected.
Recommended Trimming Method
Your child’s nails should be cut straight or slightly rounded at the edges. Toenails should always be cut straight. After a hot bath or shower, the nails soften, making them easier to cut. After cutting with pliers or scissors, file off any jagged or sharp edges with a nail file.
Nail File
Ingrown toenails occur when the side of the nail begins to grow into the skin. Ingrown toenails can be very painful or, even worse, lead to serious infections. If your child complains of pain along the edge of the nail on the skin or has redness, swelling, or pus, it is important to have your child examined by a doctor. Sometimes infections are serious enough to require antibiotics.
Overcoming the Embarrassment of Cutting a Child’s Nails
It might be challenging to cut the nails of a toddler or other small child. Reduce the amount of work that your child has to do before bed if it is challenging or stressful for them. It is not essential to cut all 20 of the nails at the same time. You can trim a few nails at a time, but make sure to use clean scissors or nail clippers. These tools should be cleansed with alcohol or soap and water in between cuts, and they should be dried completely to prevent infection. It is not appropriate to lend the nail clippers to other members of the family.
Cuticle Care for Children
When caring for the nails of youngsters, it is important not to overlook the cuticles. The cuticles are the thin strips of skin that can be found near the nail’s bed. They offer an additional layer of defense against the penetration of pathogens into the nail bed, which is their primary function. It’s common for kids to want to pick at or bite their cuticles, which can open them up to infections. It’s also possible for cuticles to dry up and break, which can result in cuts and make it easier for bacteria to penetrate the skin. Because of this, it is essential to maintain healthy cuticles by applying a rich cream that is hypoallergenic or odorless to the nails and cuticles daily or several times each week. For more: NailScissor.com.
