My answer is a monthly pedicure and polish.
Do you think you know when you are going to die?
Unite the Kingdom and Pro Palestine marches Cup 16th May 2026
I know I'm not alone in finding it difficult to cut my toe nails.
I'm 85 with an arthritis which affects most of my joints including my spine and hands. I recently had a fall and fractured a vertebra which has not helped.
Ideally I would like to find a chiropodist or podiatrist who would undertake this chore for me but I have failed to find anyone who will do this. I have asked friends and tried yellow pages, AgeUK gave me a list of 3, but when I contacted them they all said they did not cut nails! (why?).
My GP cannot help.
I have some pretty hefty clippers from Amazon called "Dr Móde" and they are very sharp. Unfortunately I've nicked my toes a few times and made them bleed which doesn't seem the best way to go.
My diabetic husband sees someone at the hospital and they keep his nails short for him. She doesn't do this privately.
Can I buy some decent tools - preferable scissors, not clippers so I can keep my feet comfy?
Any hints and suggestions considered seriously.
My answer is a monthly pedicure and polish.
Baggs this made me chuckle. I absolutely love having my feet pampered, but we’re all different. I must admit I would hate to do anyone else’s feet, just the thought of it gives me the heeby jeebies, but the lovely lady who does my feet says she loves doing pedicures which is just as well!
I love a pedicure. I've been to a very good podiatrist who told me that there's nothing wrong with my feet to justify her expense and I'd be better having a pedicure at a local salon. It was very honest of her so I took her suggestion and have happily signed up for regular appointments at the salon. The lady there is very nice and we have lovely chats as she works away. My feet look great too. They're my best feature now (which is a shame as they're rarely on public display!)
I started going regularly to a Beauty salon for a Pedicure when I found I struggled to cut my toenails due to needing both Hip and knee replacements. They are fixed now but I still go.
Mine is about £35 every 6 weeks I too come out feeling lighter and in the summer months always painted nails, a mobile Beautician might be a bit cheaper?
I have started going to a podiatrist who cuts my toenails, massages my feet, and is generally lovely and completely non judgmental.
Like the OP I can only reach my feet with difficulty, can't see clearly enough, don't possess the right implements to clip them properly without cutting my poor toes.
When she or her co-worker are not working from their salon for us private patients, they work for the NHS so you may be lucky and get an appointmen through your GP practice.
I only go 4 times a year.
Calendargirl I’m glad you mentioned the difference between Podiatrists/Chiropodists and Foot Health Practitioners.
It is crazy to pay huge amounts to have basic footcare to someone who may have just done a weekend course but calls themself a FHP. A Podiatrist has completed a degree course so you expect to pay them a lot more. Some FHP charge about the same which is very naughty and they are not allowed to call themselves chiropodists or Podiatrists. The NHS do not employ them either.
Luckily I have very good feet, just dry skin really and am not diabetic so go to a local beauty therapist to have my feet done. I get nails cut, cuticles pushed back, filed, foot spa, hard skin removed, little warmed bootees on my creamed feet, massage feet and ankles, final cream applied. Takes over an hour and cost £24. Well worth it. That price also includes painting toenails but I don’t bother in winter.
I have this problem, too! My husband has offered to cut them, but he can be a bit cack handed and I’m scared of him injuring my toes. Can’t find a podiatrist round here at all.
I have exactly the same problem & I have nicked my feet with really sharp clippers just last week. Our hospital used to do this for me but they have stopped with NHS cutbacks. I'm going to pay a podiatrist in future, I just don't see any way to do it.
I'm voting Labour in future cos the tories don't want the health service, they want us all to go private
I found a good choice of qualified chiropodists /podiatrists where I live in the East Midlands, by searching Google .
If you don't have any problems apart from cutting the nails you may be able to employ a toenail cutter who is not a qualified chiropodist/podiatrist and will cost less per visit. Some will visit at your home and others you go to their salon or clinic.
To search Google you enter "Podiatrist name of city or area". Then you choose which one is the best for you.There will be a phone number for you to make an appointment or ask them a question.
I wastnt aware diabetics get free foot care my husband n myself pay 42 pound for 20 mins each
You need to look for a Foot Health Practitioner. I have a lady who comes to my house every eight weeks or so and cuts my nails and removes hard skin. If you have no further foot problems you do not need a podiatrist or chiropodist.
I have a pedicure every five weeks, solves the problem.
If you can get out then I recommend a pedicure at a local beauty salon. You don’t have to hair the full works, i.e. painted nails, but they will cut shape and file your nails for you. Or try to find a mobile beautician who will come to you.
Do you belong to your local Nextdoor group? These are wonderful for helping each other out with looking for services, quite likely you would even have volunteers to come and help you out
I hate anyone even looking at my feet. My daughter tricked me into going to her podiatrist when I was holidaying about 12 months ago. He was this young spunky guy (I am a couple of months off 77) and I nearly died of embarrassment with him looking at my horrible feet. I have psoriasis, so my feet, toes and nails are really ugly and my toes on one foot go whichever way they feel like going. I try to cut my nails but they are getting harder to cut with nail scissors. I think I will need a farrier before too long.
In Malta we get them done for free - we pay taxes - at the Clinics, as well as getting corns and callouses removed. Check whether you can get them done on the NHS. It is always better to get someone to do them for you; the line of vision is better.
PamelaJ1
*Witzend*😂 can’t get over that problem but most people enjoy a pedicure!
Yes, my dd1 thinks I’m bonkers! I do quite enjoy my home pedi though - old beach towel on the floor, nice bowl of warm soapy water, all necessary equipment/nail polish, etc., cup of tea, something passable on the telly….
I have a wonderful lady (chiropodist/podiatrist) who comes to my house every 7 or 8 weeks. I found her advert in our local free magazine and she's worth every penny of the £26 she charges.
Diabetics used to get free treatment but I found when I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes that I still have to pay.
If you have a free magazine in your area check to see if a chiropodist/podiatrist advertises.
NannyEm
I hate anyone even looking at my feet. My daughter tricked me into going to her podiatrist when I was holidaying about 12 months ago. He was this young spunky guy (I am a couple of months off 77) and I nearly died of embarrassment with him looking at my horrible feet. I have psoriasis, so my feet, toes and nails are really ugly and my toes on one foot go whichever way they feel like going. I try to cut my nails but they are getting harder to cut with nail scissors. I think I will need a farrier before too long.
“Need a farrier” 😂
I’m sure the young man had seen every type of foot imaginable, I wouldn’t worry.
Although it’s getting harder bending down, I too enjoy my diy home pedicure, warm soapy water with a drop of baby oil in it etc.
Come to think of it, I remember grandparents and parents often sitting around with their feet in a bowl of water. It seemed to happen more often then.
Just to let some know.
Diabetics are not entitled to free foot care.
My partner is diabetic and regularly sees the diabetic nurse, but she only inspects his feet, nothing else,
I love a pedicure and can’t wait for Saturday when I’ve an appointment with salon… but, I’m very ticklish and can’t always sit still when he is doing my nails… he just lets me breathe a minute and continues… I also cannot bend to do my toenails and £35.00 is worth having my feet/toes looking and feeling wonderful 😊
I used to be a mobile manicurist, doing pedicures as well. My advice is to see a podiatrist as your nails need more than being beautified.
You need proper, regular all round care for your feet and a fully qualified podiatrist can provide that. It's worth the money.
I too have a broken vertebra. The idea of you buying scissors and clippers and having a go yourself makes me very uneasy.
Be good to yourself.
My chripodist cuts my toenails as routine . I have an appointment every 5 weeks… she does my corns, hard skin and cuts my toenails. £40.00
I went to a podiatrist last summer. She trimmed my nails, removed hard skin and ended with a lovely moisturiser. I think I paid £30. I've paid the same for a pedicure and the woman didn't cut my toenail correctly and it became painful.
Very strange...that's why I go to chiropodist...he looks after my feet includes cutting toenails......that's their job...
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