Cutting a V in your toe nail will not help your ingrown toe nail!

Cutting a ‘V’ in your toe nail will not help your ingrown toe nail!

Cutting a “V” shape in the toenail is a common but completely ineffective method for treating ingrown toenails. Here’s why it does not work and why this myth persists:

Why Cutting a “V” in the Toenail Does NOT Help

1. The Nail Grows from the Matrix, Not the Tip
   • The nail grows from the nail matrix (the root under the skin at the base of the nail), not from the tip where you cut it. Cutting a “V” does nothing to change how the nail grows at the sides where it is digging into the skin.
2. Ingrown Toenails Are Caused by Side Growth, Not the Centre
   • Ingrown toenails occur when the edges of the nail press into the surrounding skin, often due to poor trimming, tight shoes, or hereditary nail shape. A V-shaped notch in the center does not relieve the pressure at the edges where the problem actually exists.
3. The Nail Does Not “Pull” from the Center
   • Some people believe that cutting a V will encourage the sides of the nail to grow inward toward the center, relieving the pressure. In reality, nails grow continuously outward from the base, and the edges will continue to grow the same way they did before.
4. It Can Weaken the Nail
   • Cutting a notch in the center may weaken the nail structure, making it more prone to splitting or breaking in an unintended way, which could lead to further discomfort or secondary issues.

Why This Myth Persists

1. Old Wives’ Tales and Passed-Down Advice
   • Many people have heard this advice from family members, older generations, or even schoolteachers. Before proper podiatric understanding became widespread, people tried simple DIY remedies, and some of these myths stuck.
2. Placebo Effect
   • Sometimes, people may trim their nails differently at the same time they cut the V, or they change their footwear, leading to improvement that is wrongly attributed to the V-cut.
3. Misinterpretation of Temporary Relief
   • If a toenail is slightly thickened or has mild pressure, removing a small portion in the middle may create a temporary feeling of relief. However, this does not address the root cause and does nothing to prevent true ingrown toenails.

What Actually Works for Ingrown Toenails?

• Proper Nail Trimming: Cut the nail straight across without rounding the edges.
• Correct Footwear: Avoid tight, narrow shoes that put pressure on the toes.
• Foot Soaks: Soaking the foot in warm salt water can help soften the nail and reduce inflammation.
• Professional Treatment: If the ingrown toenail is persistent, painful, or infected, we can trim or remove part of the nail safely and painlessly, sometimes permanently correcting the issue with a minor procedure under local anaesthetic.

So, if you come across someone still promoting the V-cut method, you can confidently debunk the myth with some solid anatomy and logic!