Why do toenails smell after you cut them?

If left untreated, these leave you vulnerable to either a bacterial or a fungal infection. Bacterial infections usually leak pus and, sometimes, blood. Fungal infections produce discolored toenails that are thick, brittle, and smell bad.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on pmcfootandankleclinic.com


How do you get rid of stinky toenails?

Home treatments for smelly feet
  1. Use a mild soap and scrub brush to wash your feet at least once a day. ...
  2. Clip your toenails often so they're short, and make sure to clean them regularly.
  3. Remove the hard, dead skin from your feet with a foot file. ...
  4. Change your socks at least once a day.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on healthline.com


Why does my toenail smell like cheese when I cut it?

In fact, one type of bacteria, brevibacterium, lives in between the toes, thrives in a damp, salty environment, and produces the cheese-like smell of feet. That same bacteria is actually used in the cheese-creation process for Muenster, Entrammes, and Limburger cheeses.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on share.upmc.com


What is that smell when you cut your nails?

Just-snipped nails can sometimes have a pungent odor right after trimming. For that, you can thank stinky sulfur compounds that exist inside the keratin proteins of the nails. Give your nail a trim, and you might smell an odor coming from the freshly-cut end, Dr. Chacon says.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on livestrong.com


What is the smelly stuff under toenails?

Toe jam is a nonmedical, umbrella term that refers to the smelly gunk which can accumulate between toes. When feet are sweaty or not washed often, toe jam may be more likely to result. Luckily, this condition is usually not serious, and responds well to lifestyle changes.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on healthline.com


Why do toenails smell when you cut them?



Why does my big toenail stink?

Getting a fungal infection on your toenails can cause the nails to turn yellow and brittle, and the bugs that cause the infection often emit a foul odor as they feed on your body. The same microorganisms that cause athlete's foot also are the cause of fungal toenail infection.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on syracusepodiatry.org


How do you get rid of gunk under your toenails?

You can use a loofah, sponge, or washcloth to really clean around the toenails. Try a foot soak. If you don't take a shower every day, consider soaking your feet in a tub of lukewarm water and soap. This can help break up or dislodge dirt underneath toenails.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on healthline.com


Why do toes smell like poop?

“The primary cause is from a lack of ventilation for your feet. There are thousands of sweat glands in feet, which produce quite a bit of sweat each day. The unpleasant smell comes when the perspiration isn't allowed to evaporate.”
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on unitypoint.org


What happens if you don't cut toenails?

"You are more prone to skin infections such as cellulitis and fungal skin infections if the toenails are not trimmed regularly," says Bruce Pinker, DPM, a foot specialist and owner of Progressive Foot Care.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on bestlifeonline.com


How far back should you cut your toenails?

A good range is about 1-2 mm of white – enough so you're not cutting too deeply, but not extending past the toes and risking the nails becoming caught or torn.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on yourfootdocs.com


What is the gunk under toenails?

This overgrowth is called subungual hyperkeratosis. People with hyperkeratosis may notice a white, chalky substance under the nail. When this occurs in the toenails, the pressure of shoes pushing down on the nails might cause pain.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on medicalnewstoday.com


Why do belly buttons smell?

Because of its shape and tiny skin folds, belly buttons can collect dirt, sweat, and bacteria. In fact, the average belly button contains about 67 types of bacteria. 1 This buildup can lead to a smell and even infection. Your belly button may smell because of a hygiene need or an infection caused by bacteria or fungus.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on verywellhealth.com


Can you scrape out toenail fungus?

Prescription Medicines

If your fungus doesn't clear up at home, you should check in with a dermatologist (a skin, hair, and nail specialist) or podiatrist (a foot doctor.) They may gently scrape under your nail to get rid of some of the fungus or send it to the lab for diagnosis.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on webmd.com


What is toe cheese?

toe cheese (uncountable) (slang) The sticky, smegma-like substance that accumulates between one's toes in case of insufficient hygiene. Love is: learning to appreciate the smell of your sweetheart's toe cheese!
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on en.wiktionary.org


What causes smelly feet in females?

The main causes of smelly feet are a build-up of sweat and bacteria on them and fungal infections like athlete's foot. The amount you sweat can be affected by: hot weather. exercise.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nhs.uk


What does toe jam smell like?

Toe jam isn't a medical term. There is no formal medical term to describe the dead skin cells, sweat, sock lint and dirt that combine in the small and often cramped spaces between our toes. Toe jam can have the consistency of soft cheese or cake crumbs. It can smell or be odourless.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on theconversation.com


How long can you go without cutting toenails?

Most people's toenails grow about 2 millimeters (0.08 inches) a month, so it's appropriate to cut them every six to eight weeks. That being said, if you are a very active person or an athlete — especially a runner — you will probably be more comfortable if you trim them more often.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on healthline.com


Should you cut toenails wet or dry?

Cut nails when they're dry, not wet.

Wet nails may be likely to tear, bend, or not cut smoothly because they're softer when wet. Cutting dry nails will give you a cleaner, smoother cut.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on everydayhealth.com


Do toenails serve a purpose?

Speaking of protection, toenails serve a function similar to wearing armor as well. Nails are meant to protect the pointier bones beneath them from harm by adding a stronger, harder extra layer to keep them safe.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on grandcentralfootcare.com


How do I know if I stink?

"It's almost like a white-noise reset to the olfactory system," says Dalton. Try this: sniff coffee or charcoal for a full minute. Then go back and take a whiff of your underarm or other potentially offending area. In a pinch, you could even smell the crook of your elbow, which contains few sweat glands.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on menshealth.com


Why do I smell like poop even after a shower?

If you have, you may have experienced phantosmia—the medical name for a smell hallucination. Phantosmia odors are often foul; some people smell feces or sewage, others describe smelling smoke or chemicals. These episodes can be sparked by a loud noise or change in the flow of air entering your nostrils.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on qz.com


Why is my belly button wet and smelly?

Dirt, bacteria, fungus, and germs can get trapped inside your belly button and start to multiply, which can cause an infection. If you develop a belly button infection, you might notice white, yellow, brown, or bloody discharge seeping out of it. That discharge might also have an unpleasant smell.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on healthline.com


Is Vicks good for toenail fungus?

A small study of 20 patients reported 83% improvement after six months of applying Vicks daily (Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, January-February 2016). They concluded: “Vicks VapoRub was shown to be an effective and safe treatment of onychomycosis (nail fungus) …”
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on spokesman.com


Does hydrogen peroxide cure toenail fungus?

Hydrogen peroxide can kill fungus that grows on toenails. You can directly wipe hydrogen peroxide on your infected toes or toenails with a clean cloth or cotton swab. Hydrogen peroxide can also be used in a foot soak.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on singlecare.com


What kills toenail fungus fast?

Medications
  • Oral antifungal drugs. These drugs are often the first choice because they clear the infection more quickly than do topical drugs. ...
  • Medicated nail polish. Your doctor may prescribe an antifungal nail polish called ciclopirox (Penlac). ...
  • Medicated nail cream.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mayoclinic.org