Cutting your toenails is one of the ways to ensure they are healthy as you don’t want to risk them breaking when you have to wear close shoes, but cutting them might bring about some awful smells, making you ask why your toenails smell when you cut them.
The smell you perceive when cutting your toenails could be due to the accumulation of sweat or bacteria thriving in the moist environment provided by the toenails.
However, there are numerous other reasons why you get this odor from your toenails which I will be discussing in this post. Then you will be able to get rid of the toenail smell and prevent them from coming again.
Why Do My Toenails Stink?
If you have ever asked yourself why my toenails stink or smell so bad, here are some possible reasons why they sink;
1. Bacterial infection
Bacteria are naturally found in people’s feet as they can thrive in warm and moist areas, and this is the type of environment around toenails due to the fact that the feet are always in the shoes creating a dark and humid place for the bacteria.
Therefore, the upsetting smell you get from your toenails when you cut them can be a result of the bacteria living in your toes
2. Sweat accumulation
Sweat can contribute to the bad odor due to its composition and interaction with bacteria.
Moreover, the feet are one of the parts of the body that produce sweat a lot from time to time, especially when the climate is warm or hot, which enhances the activities of bacteria.
4. Dead skin cells
Dead skin cells can accumulate, providing a breeding ground for bacteria. the bacteria usually break down oils and dead skin cells of the feet, and now, with the sweat from the feet, a bad smell can result.
Also, there’s a type of bacteria called “brevibacteria” that eats the dead skin on our feet, producing a gas that has a distinctive sour smell.
5. Role of nail fungus
Another reason the smell from your toenails gets really bad is due to nail fungus infections.
Nail fungi are fungal infections found where nail cells birth new nails on the nail bed behind the cuticle. When fungus and bacteria interact, they can work together to worsen the odor from your toenails.
If you notice that your nails are usually yellow, green, or brown coloring, thickening of the nail, or lifting from the nail bed, then you probably have nail fungus, which causes bad odor.
6. Extreme nail length
If you keep nails extremely short or too long, you risk getting smelly toenails. For instance, if your nails are too short, there’s the tendency to get ingrown nails that smell.
Also, extremely long nails, when not attended to, will hold a lot of debris and dirt, which will eventually cause your toenails to smell bad.
7. Footwear
If you have ever asked why my toenails smell so bad? Your footwear might be the reason why they smell, well This can happen when:
- You wear footwear that doesn’t allow your feet to breathe.
- You don’t change your shoes regularly to allow them to dry and air properly.
- You wear shoes made of plastic.
- You don’t wear fresh socks or change them regularly.
- You share socks with other people or use non-moisture absorbing socks.
8. Your kind of job
Another common reason why your toenails smell bad is because of the job you are doing. For instance, an athlete who participates in a lot of exercises will get injury on their feet from time to time which can eventually lead to smelly feet or if you have to be on your feet for a long period of time, you are also in the risk of getting smelly toenails.
What Is The Smelly Thing Under My Toenails?
The smelly substance under your toenails is often a combination of dead skin cells, sweat, and bacteria. This can lead to an unpleasant odor commonly known as “toe cheese.” The warm and moist environment inside shoes provides an ideal breeding ground for bacteria to thrive, which contributes to the release of the foul smell.
How Do I Get Rid Of Smelly Toenails?
To get rid of smelly toenails there are some remedies you can try at home, which include
- Apply rubbing alcohol in-between the toes with a bad odor
- Soak your feet in with salt water, Epsom salt, or baking soda.
- Now, you can bathe your feet in a vinegar solution.
- You can also clean and scrub your feet with a pumice stone.
- If you notice any signs of fungal infections, you can treat them with over-the-counter medications, and this should be treated quickly since they can be contagious and can spread to other nails
- Lastly, ensure you do regular pedicures.
When to Seek Medical Attention
After you tried the home remedies for smelly toenails you can seek medical attention;
- A medical consultation may be necessary if the odor persists despite proper hygiene.
- If the odor is accompanied by pain, redness, or other concerning symptoms, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional.
How To Prevent Your Toenails From Smelling When You Cut Them
Preventive measures should be taken if you don’t want to get toenails that smell, some of these measures include;
1. Engaging in proper hygiene
Among various reasons why your toenails stink, the common one is improper toenail hygiene. Toenails are usually in a dark and moist environment and also produce a lot of sweat which will naturally stink when you don’t wash them or change your stocks over time.
The importance of washing and drying your feet regularly can not be overemphasized if you want healthy toenails. You can also apply powder before wearing your footwear.
2. Nail care
You take care of your nails by trimming them properly and keeping them clean can remove odor.
3. Wear breathable footwear
Wearing breathable shoes and moisture-absorbing socks is also a simple way to prevent toenails smell. Also, wear sandals when it is possible to do that and change your shoes and socks regularly.
4. Make use of anti-fungal Products
Use anti-fungal creams or powders to prevent fungal growth. You can also use odor-reducing insoles.
5. Get regular pedicures
During your pedicure session, special attention will be given to your nails and this will help to prevent any foul smell or infection.
How Do You Clean Under Your Toenails
Cleaning under your toenails is an important part of maintaining good foot hygiene. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide on how to clean under your toenails:
- Begin by washing your feet with warm water and mild soap. This will help soften the nails and the skin around them.
- Use a soft nail brush or a toothbrush designated for this purpose to gently brush the area under your toenails to remove dirt, debris, and any dead skin cells.
- If you find it challenging to clean under your toenails, you can soak your feet in warm water for a few minutes before brushing. This will further soften the nails and make it easier to clean.
- After brushing, rinse your feet and nails under running water to wash away any loosened debris.
- Pat your feet and the area under your toenails dry with a clean towel. Moisture can contribute to bacterial growth, so it’s important to keep your feet dry.
- After cleaning and drying, consider applying a moisturizer to keep the skin around your toenails hydrated.
- If needed, trim your toenails straight across to prevent debris from getting trapped under them in the future.
- Add regular toenail cleaning into your foot care routine, you might do this every week or two.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Do my toenails smell like cheese when I cut them?
Your toenails are likely to smell like cheese because of the activities of bacteria and fungi since they thrive well in a moist environment, and your feet tend to produce more sweat, creating a moist environment for these bacteria to grow.
How often should you cut your toenails?
To maintain healthy toenails, it’s generally recommended to trim them regularly.
Is it normal for toenails to smell?
Toenails themselves on a normal day, don´t smell or have a strong odor.
Final words
The toenails environment is usually a moist and warm area which is very conducive for bacterial and fungi infection to thrive, thereby creating a bad smell anytime you cut your toenails.
Other factors that could trigger foul odor from your toenails have been discussed as the necessary tips to get rid of this smell.
However, it is better to practice good hygiene, take great care of your nails, wear breathable shoes, and other prevention measures to avoid getting any odd smell from your feet.
