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Best Nail Clippers For Seniors

Buying the right toenail clippers for seniors is essential. As people age, they suffer from several health conditions like fungal infections, ingrown nails, and arthritic hands that can make handling regular nail clippers difficult. Learning about what to look for when buying toenail clippers for older adults can lead to improved ease of use and better safety.

How Do Nails Change As We Age?

Some nail problems caused by aging include the following:

  • Color – Color can change to yellow and opaque instead of translucent
  • Shape – Curling or clubbing can occur as nail bed tissue deforms, leading to ingrown toenails
  • Thickness – Thick nails can occur due to skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema 
  • Brittleness – Brittle nails can occur leading to ridges on fingernails and dullness

Why Are Elderly People More Prone To Nail Issues?

Older people suffer from limited dexterity, nutritional deficiencies, long-term exposure to chemicals, internal aging processes, and more that can lead to ingrown toenails and other issues. These include: 

  • Fungal Infections – The cracks in nails can allow bacteria to enter, causing fungal infection which can be more serious since nails take longer to grow and repair for seniors
  • Impaired Circulation – Raynaud’s phenomenon, which is caused by poor circulation to the fingers, toes, and nose leading to brittle and discolored nails that are more fragile
  • Trauma – Injury to nails can cause longer-lasting effects since they can take longer to grow back due to their brittle nature

In addition, the elderly can encounter additional challenges in terms of nail care due to health problems, like: 

  • Arthritis – Rheumatoid arthritis can lead to chronic pain, making it hard to get a comfortable grip on nail clippers
  • Hand Tremors – Trembling can be caused by prescription drugs, Parkinson's disease, or old age, making it dangerous to cut safely with a super sharp nail clipper
  • Lack Of Flexibility – Increased joint stiffness and loss of elasticity as we age can make it hard to handle tough toenails due to difficulty bending down
  • Poor Eyesight – Approximately 12 million people 40 years and over in the United States have vision impairment, making it harder to cut nails safely without injury

Tips For Choosing A Good Nail Clipper For Seniors

Toenail clippers come in many shapes and sizes, which can be confusing. To help you narrow it down, here are some things you should look for:

Ergonomic Handle

A broad or rubber-covered handle can make it easier to grip the toenail clipper as you cut. This is especially useful if you suffer from ingrown and thick nails that require extra effort.

Width

An extra-wide jaw can assist in nail clipping thick toenails and ingrown nails. A toenail clipper is usually much larger than a nail clipper in order to accommodate the unique shape of toenails.

Angled Head

Angled toe clippers can give you better control and easy handling with adjustable angles, especially for those with toe deformities and ingrown toenails.

Type Of Blade

Curved blades can help tackle the thickest nails and any rough edges. A sharper blade can also cut nails more efficiently than a dull, overused one.

Durability

Heavy-duty stainless steel can help you handle ingrown nails easily and last longer, giving you better value for money. Toenail clippers need to be more durable than your everyday nail clipper.

Best Nail Clippers For Seniors In 2022

Here are some of the best toenail clippers for seniors to promote easy cutting for thick toenails, brittle nails, and other issues.

Product NameWanmat Toenail ClipperEZ Grip 360 Degree Nail ClippersVepkuso Wide Jaw Toenail ClipperClipperpro 2.0 Toenail ClipperSunto Clipper for Thick ToenailsHARAC Special Needs Nail Clippers
Cost$11.99$9.99$12.45$48.99$17.99$19.98
Type Of BladeStainless steelStainless SteelStainless steel curved bladeSurgical grade steel bladesSurgical grade stainless steelHeavy-duty stainless steel
Width1.5 inches1 inch0.5 inch3mm wide jaws10mm and 15mm2.91×1.45×1.77 inches
HandleNon-slip ABS handleLightweight rubberized plasticVacuum titanium plated stainless steelHeavy-duty zinc alloyAnti-slip handleLarge spherical handle
Extra Safety FeaturesDouble spring promotes greater elasticity360-degree swivel action3.54-inch lever makes it easier to tackle tough nails180-degree adjustable head25-degree curved blade avoids
injury
25-degree curved blade avoids
injury

1. Wanmat Toenail Clipper

  • Cost: $11.99
  • Type Of Blade: Stainless steel
  • Width: 1.5 inches
  • Handle: Non slip ABS handle
  • Extra Safety Features: Double spring promotes greater elasticity

This toenail clipper set comes with a nail file and nail clippers with a 25-degree arc to trim ingrown nails with and cut toenails with high precision. The handle is lightweight and suitable for seniors.

ProsCons
Medical grade stainless steel improves strength and durabilitySuper sharp blades may lead to injury
Wider jaw and large opening can handle thicker nailsSome models are defective according to customer reviews
Easy grip benefits those with shaky handsPlastic grip may not be super sturdy

2. EZ Grip 360 Degree Nail Clippers

  • Cost: $9.99
  • Type Of Blade: Stainless Steel
  • Width: 1 inch
  • Handle: Lightweight rubberized plastic
  • Extra Safety Features: 360-degree swivel action

Unlike straight cut nail clippers, this curved blade cuts thick nails with ease and can be easily adjusted to any angle to help those with ingrown nails.

ProsCons
Ergonomic design results in better gripSome users claim they are not suitable for toenails
Angles allow seniors to deal with ingrown nailsSome users claim it breaks easily
Affordable price for heavy-duty clippersMay be difficult to get the hang of

3. Vepkuso Wide Jaw Toenail Clipper

  • Cost: $12.45
  • Type Of Blade: Stainless steel curved blade
  • Width: 0.5 inches
  • Handle: Vacuum titanium plated stainless steel
  • Extra Safety Features: 3.54-inch lever makes it easier to tackle tough nails

These large toenail clippers come with a 180-degree 15mm wide jaw and can tackle thick nails with ease due to the comfortable grip. Also, it comes with a black bag, a separate nail file, and a tin box. Some customer reviews claim it is super sharp.

ProsCons
High-quality toenail clipperNo built-in nail file
Good packaging for gift givingUsers may accidentally injure themselves on its blades
Comes with nail fileWidth may be narrow for those with wide toenails

4. Clipperpro 2.0 Toenail Clipper

  • Cost: $48.99
  • Type Of Blade: Surgical grade steel blades
  • Width: 3mm wide jaws
  • Handle: Heavy-duty zinc alloy
  • Extra Safety Features: 180-degree adjustable head

Designed by orthopedic surgeons, these specialized nail clippers can cut thick nails with safety and precision. The swivel head makes nail clipping easy with the Double Action Force Multiplier mechanism which reduces pressure on hands.

ProsCons
Comes in a straight and curved blades optionMore expensive than other toenail clippers
Very easy to useSome users complain about the lack of easy-grip
Can handle thicker toenailsThe thick blades may cut off nail pieces that are too large

5. Sunto Clipper for Thick Toenails

  • Cost: $17.99
  • Type Of Blade: Surgical grade stainless steel
  • Width: 10mm and 15mm
  • Handle: Anti-slip handle
  • Extra Safety Features: 25-degree curved blade avoids injury

This set comes with a pair of podiatrist toenail clippers, a pair of wide-jaw heavy-duty nail clippers, and a nail polish file. It provides instructions on how to use each product, making it a good gift for older adults looking for a complete nail clipper set. The wide jaw of the clippers makes it ideal for thick nails.

ProsCons
Comes in a gift box setSome users find the clippers too big and bulky
Surgical grade stainless steel prevents rustSome users complain about the build quality of the clippers
Double spring mechanism makes cutting toenails easierSome users complain about the quality of customer service

6. HARAC Special Needs Nail Clippers

  • Cost: $19.98
  • Type Of Blade: Heavy-duty stainless steel
  • Size: 2.91×1.45×1.77 inches
  • Handle: Large spherical handle
  • Extra Safety Features: 25-degree curved blade avoids injury

Coming in five different colors, the HARAC nail clipper is designed for those with disabilities, the elderly, and children. It can be placed on a table and pressed down by a palm or elbow, or gripped in the hand. The heavy-duty blade is manufactured by Japanese craftsmen in Seki City.

ProsCons
Has a built-in nail file to polish nailsSome users find that it is not suitable for thicker nails
Stable handle can be used by those with weaker handsThe width of the jaw could be wider
Design makes it versatile to useSome users claim that the blade lacks sharpness

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have some questions about buying toenail clippers for seniors, this section should provide some guidance.

How do you cut thick elderly toenails?

Before cutting toenails, soak your feet in warm water for about 10 minutes to soften your nails. Have a good grip on the clippers and make small cuts to avoid splintering the toenail. Also, cut straight across to avoid ingrown nails.

How do you get rid of dry toenails?

If the toenails look dry and cracked, try applying vitamin E oil or lotion to the nail and massage gently into the nail and cuticle on a daily basis. This can help strengthen nails, making them easier to cut.

What do podiatrists use to soften toenails?

Podiatrists soak hard toenails in warm water with Epsom salts. After this, they are patted dry and layered with VapoRub or tea tree oil to soften toe nails further.

Purchasing toenail clippers for seniors can be a challenge, however, the best toenail clippers are typically the most well-reviewed by customers and have features such as an ergonomic handle, a heavy-duty stainless steel build, and curved blades for optimal cutting. Prioritizing care of toenails and nails is also essential to prevent health issues from occurring.

Read on to learn more about other useful senior care products on Senior Strong today!

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