When clipping my toenails, should I cut straight across or in a rounded shape (and does it really matter)? —W.M., Gresham, Ore.

It does matter. You should cut them straight across and let them extend slightly beyond the tips of your toes. Rounding off a nail or cutting it too short can allow a corner to curve into the skin, causing a painful ingrown nail, a problem especially common with the big toe. If you get a mild ingrown nail, you can probably treat it yourself by soaking your foot in warm water, clipping off the ingrown portion, and placing a small piece of dry cotton ball under the nail's edge to keep it from turning back in as it grows. Nails that are very deeply imbedded or have become infected may require minor surgery. People with diabetes, poor circulation, or compromised immunity should seek professional care for even minor ingrown nails due to the heightened risk of infection, as should those with arthritic hands or poor eyesight.

This article first appeared in the September 2008 issue of Consumer Reports On Health.

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