Nail clippers baby cut finger: How to trim your baby’s nails

Опубликовано: August 11, 2023 в 7:55 am

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Категории: Baby

How to trim your baby’s nails

By Nancy Montgomery

Photo credit: BabyCenter

Should I trim my baby’s nails?

Yes. Your baby’s nails may be softer and more pliable than yours, but make no mistake – they’re sharp! A newborn has little control over his flailing limbs and can easily end up scratching his own face or yours.

Little fingernails grow so fast you may have to cut them several times a week. Toenails require less frequent trimming.

How do I trim my baby’s nails without cutting his fingertips?

The best time to do this is while she’s sleeping. Another good time is right after a bath, when your baby’s nails are softest.

Make sure you have enough light to see what you’re doing. Use a pair of baby scissors or clippers made especially to use on tiny fingers. Press the finger pad away from the nail to avoid nicking the skin, and keep a firm hold on your baby’s hand as you clip. Another tip is to have a partner use their fingernail to lift the baby’s nail away from the skin to ensure that the clipper doesn’t nick the skin.

Cut fingernails along the curve of the finger. Cut toenails straight across. Then use an emery board to smooth out rough edges.

Doctors recommend using only an emery board in the first few weeks of a new baby’s life because nails are very soft. And new parents are also more likely to accidentally clip their baby’s skin.

If you decide to give your baby a manicure while she’s awake, ask your partner or a friend to hold her and keep her from wiggling too much while you work. Or have someone distract her so she’ll let you hold her hand still for the clipping and filing.

Some parents bite their baby’s nails into shape, but doing it this way could introduce germs from your mouth into any little cut your baby may have on her finger. You also won’t be able to see what you’re doing, and you’ll find that your baby’s finger is tiny compared to your teeth!

If I do cut a fingertip, how do I stop the bleeding?

If you do nick a tiny fingertip, don’t be too hard on yourself – it happens to lots of parents. Simply rinse the cut under cool water, then wrap a tissue around your baby’s finger and hold it with a little pressure. The bleeding usually stops in a couple of minutes.

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Resist the temptation to try to put a bandage on your baby’s finger. It’s likely to come off when he puts his finger in his mouth, and he could end up choking on it.

Also, doctors don’t recommend using a liquid bandage product for babies or toddlers because they’ll probably suck it off. If your child has a wound that doesn’t stop bleeding, it’s a good idea to see your child’s doctor.

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Nancy Montgomery

Nancy Montgomery is a health and wellness writer and editor. She lives with her husband in Berkeley, California, and has an adult daughter. She especially enjoys working on safety-related content, and organizing and presenting important information in a way that’s easily accessible to parents.

What To Do If You Clipped Baby’s Finger While Cutting Nails?

One of the most anxiety-inducing things a new parent will do with their new little bundle of joy is likely not something they really anticipated while preparing for their baby’s arrival: nail clipping.

While many parents end up trying to put off this first-time event

it is inevitable that they must soon acknowledge that their adorable little baby has a shockingly razor-sharp fingernail attached to each tiny finger.

Now, the day has come when you have to attend to the dreaded nail clipping session.

Mom (or dad) gets out the nail clippers, sits down with the little baby, carefully line up the clippers and… disaster strikes!

You’ve clipped baby’s finger while cutting nails!

What was supposed to be just the fingernail lined up in the clippers for a quick and easy trim turned out to include some of your baby’s finger!

The guilt and fear every parent feels as they frantically try to figure out what happened, but more importantly, what do they do now?

First of all, relax.

Your baby is going to be fine!

If you start to visibly panic, your baby is going to panic as well, then as your baby begins crying harder

you will react accordingly and you will just escalate each other’s fears to frenzy levels.

No good will come of that so, if you are feeling panicky, take a deep breath before doing anything else.

The very first thing you need to actively do to take care of your baby is calmly get up and carry them to the nearest sink to run their finger under some warm water.

Soothe them as much as you can while you gently make sure their cut finger is clean.

Whether you want to sing to them or simply talk to them in a calm manner, your attitude to the situation is the most important.

Once the cut has been cleaned with plain water

pat the area dry with a clean towel and if it is still actively bleeding apply a bit of gentle, but firm, pressure for a couple of minutes to help stop the bleeding.

Once you’re comfortable that the bleeding has stopped, or very nearly stopped, apply some antiseptic ointment and cover the injury with an adhesive bandage to keep the area clean and protected.

The bandage should then be left alone for two to three days unless it is visibly soiled and in need of changing

but the less you do with the finger after it is bandaged, the better and faster your baby’s finger will heal.

You will be amazed by how fast your baby can heal!

Now, on a side note, as long as your baby’s finger was not covered in dirt from playing outside

or any other area that would make a higher than normal risk for infections

then they will very likely be completely fine without any further intervention

but if their finger was covered in dirt or other muck when the cut occurred, play it safe and call your pediatrician or a nurse helpline for instructions and recommendations.

If nothing else, they will also be able to help put your mind at ease.

After everything is tended to and baby is back to business as usual, if you are still feeling like you are just an awful parent because you accidentally clipped baby’s finger while cutting nails, please try to stop.

Take solace in the fact that we’ve all done it.

First-time parents, second-time parents, third, fourth and sometimes even fifth or more time parents, we’ve all accidentally clipped baby’s finger while cutting nails.

Often, from personal experience, every child gets their finger clipped at least once.

You probably got your finger clipped as a baby too, and your parents might even still feel a little bad about it

but you have survived and so will your little one.

If anything, it can feel even worse the second and third time around as you think, “I really should know better by now! How could I have done this to my baby again?” It really is alright.

While there are limited ways to guarantee that it will never happen again, there are a few general methods of reducing the chances of it happening.

First, and seemingly most effective, is to trim their nails while your baby is asleep.

Keep some clippers handy during their feeding or before nap time and, once they drift into a deep slumber, start carefully clipping your baby’s nails.

Take your time.

Rushing will not only risk a repeat clipping accident, but it also risks waking your baby up.

There are many recommendations out there that you purchase special rounded clippers or other specialized tools to trim your baby’s nails

but what really matters is using whatever clipping tool you are most comfortable with.

For some parents, the specially designed baby clippers work best, and they are certainly worth a try if you have never used them before

but for other parents, just standard nail clippers are fine.

Even nail scissors are a good option if you are experienced in using them.

To guarantee a cut finger will never happen, emery boards are a good option given that baby nails

while incredibly sharp at times, are still rather soft and can easily be ground away.

Some parents are most comfortable simply biting their baby’s nails off, and it fairly well guarantees the baby will not get their finger cut

but this is not necessarily the best solution for everyone depending on varying comfort levels.

Whatever tool you prefer, make sure you are careful to hook it under the nail, insuring none of the fingers is getting in the way before you go for the clipping.

Whatever method you are most comfortable with using is going to be the best tool for you.

**Some links on this page can take you to Amazon. com, where you can see prices, customer reviews, product specs, etc … Please note that we only share stuff we love. We may earn a small commission if you buy through our links.







List of Best Recommended Products To Clipping Baby’s Nails
Product Image Satisfaction Rate
Best Nail Clipper 82%
Best Baby Nail Scissors 96%
Best Baby Nail File 90%
Best Electric Nail Trimmer 94%
Baby Nail Kit 93%

The more comfortable you are, regardless of the tools involved, the less likely you will have to face the situation again where you clipped baby’s finger while cutting nails

but there will always come a time when baby decides they suddenly do not want to stay still at just the wrong moment and you will have to deal with the situation of having clipped baby’s finger while cutting nails again

but next time you will be ready and your baby will still be alright.

In the video below you can learn more about how to trim a baby’s nails.

Additional information:
  • Is it normal for my baby to scratch himself with his fingernails?
  • How to Stop Your Child From Chewing on Their Crib?
  • Why Does My Baby Rub Their Face On Me?
  • When can I start cutting my baby’s nails?
  • Is it OK to file newborn nails?

Photo & Video credits: Amazon, Mothercare.

types, processing algorithm, treatment, antiseptics

Household items that most often cause cuts:

  • Knife
  • Razor blades
  • Glass shards
  • Edge of a sheet of paper
  • 9 0013

    Skin texture

    Leather – one of the largest organs in the human body. It is elastic, strong enough, differs in texture and thickness in different parts of the body. Consists of two main layers – epidermis and dermis .

    Epidermis

    refers to the superficial layer of the skin and consists of several layers of skin cells.

    Dermis

    is located under the epidermis and consists of elastin fibers that provide mobility to the upper integument and protein fibers (collagen) that give the skin strength. The dermis contains sebaceous glands, hair follicles, nerves and blood vessels.

    Injuries to the skin from cutting objects can affect both the epidermis and the dermis.

    Cuts by depth

    Small cuts

    Small cuts go through the upper layers of the skin. With timely treatment of the damaged area of ​​​​the skin, such wounds rarely become infected.

    Damage can be caused by fingernails, a piece of metal, a tree branch or a bush.

    Usually a minor cut or scrape can be treated at home. The main thing is that there is no contamination in the wound surface.

    Deep cuts

    Deep cuts go through all layers of the skin.

    They occur when the skin is exposed to a sharp object: a knife, a razor, a piece of glass or a sharp edge of a piece of metal. On examination, it is important to make sure that there is no contamination in the wound.

    If the size of the damage is significant, then it is necessary to seek medical attention in order to apply stitches.

    Cuts require first aid.

    A deep cut involving an artery is a medical emergency.

    Help for cuts

    First aid for cuts required 2.3 :

    • b bleeding by pressure on the wound
    • Treat the wound with sterile saline or clean water
    • Treat the wound with an antiseptic, such as Betadine solution ®
    • Cover the cleaned wound with a sterile dressing
    • Monitor the cleanliness of the wound

    How to treat cuts, see a short video with surgeon Fedor Yanovich Kraskovsky

    How to determine damage to the vessel

    If the cut is deep and the bleeding does not stop, then the vessel is most likely damaged. In this case, you need to seek professional medical help.

    Bleeding from an artery:

    Blood is bright scarlet and gushing from a wound

    Bleeding from a vein:

    blood is dark red and flows slowly from the wound

    During transport to the hospital, you should: possibly (

  • Do not remove the bandage if it is soaked with blood, but instead put a fresh bandage over it

Cut healing phases

There are four phases of cut healing:

Exudation phase

Transfer of the liquid part of the blood through the vessel wall to the wound site

Resorption phase

Reverse absorption of fluid from the site of injury

Proliferation phase

New growth tissues

Regeneration phase

Restorative

During the first two phases inflammation develops.

Inflammation occurs in response to damage to the skin and serves as a protective reaction of the body to a cut: it separates the injured area from intact tissues. After delimitation, the body immediately begins to repair the wound, and this process can continue for several days, weeks, months, or even years, it all depends on the injury.

As the cut heals, the following processes are observed:

  • After the cut occurs, the body begins to turn on protective functions. The blood vessels in the wound constrict, thereby reducing blood loss. A clot forms in the damaged area.
  • After a clot has formed, the blood vessels dilate, providing maximum blood flow to the damaged area. This leads to symptoms of inflammation (pain, swelling). Further, leukocytes (blood cells) rush to the site of the wound and begin to clean the damaged area from bacteria, microorganisms and other foreign agents.
  • At the site of the cut, the process of tissue repair is underway: new collagen fibers are formed and blood vessels are restored. All of this supports the healing process.
  • The wound begins to shrink along the edges, its size decreases.
  • Superficial skin cells migrate from one side of the wound to the other, a new area of ​​skin is formed.
  • Depending on the depth of the cut, it may leave a scar. As a rule, scar tissue is not as durable as intact skin.

Factors affecting wound healing

Injured skin heals at different rates depending on the individual characteristics of the body and environmental factors, which include:

  • General state of human health
  • Age – in older people, the skin recovers more slowly than in young people
  • State of the immune system
  • Dietary habits
  • Weather conditions
  • Degree of infection of the wound
  • 90 005 Bad habits (smoking, alcohol, drugs)

  • Concomitant diseases (diabetes, cancer)

Treatment of cuts

There is a great variety of preparations for the treatment of cuts, differing both in the main active substance and dosage form 4,5,6 .

Solutions

Povidone Iodine

Betadine ® Solution is manufactured at a concentration of 10%. For the treatment of cuts, the drug can be used without dilution or diluted 1:10 and applied as a 1% solution (2 X 5 ml (2 teaspoons) and 100 ml (½ cup) 10% solution) 2.3 . It should be diluted with saline, Ringer’s solution, phosphate buffer solution, water for injection, in extreme cases, with clean drinking water.

Povidone-iodine has antiseptic, antiviral, antifungal, antiprotozoal activity.

Active against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

Unlike 5% iodine in alcohol, povidone-iodine can be applied directly to a cut. It does not cause burning, does not dry the skin, does not interfere with tissue regeneration.

Instruction

Where can I buy Betadine® solution?

Buy

Buy

Buy

Or

Find nearest pharmacy

Search

Chlorhexidine bigluconate

Chlorhexidine bigluconate is an antiseptic that fights bacteria, fungi and viruses. It exists in the form of an aqueous and alcoholic solution. For the treatment of cuts, a 0.2-0.5% aqueous solution should be used. An alcohol-based drug can cause unpleasant reactions in the form of a burning sensation, as well as slow healing.

Hydrogen peroxide

The solution is produced and used at a concentration of 3%. Hydrogen peroxide has a hemostatic effect, helps to remove dirt from the wound mechanically due to the formation of gas bubbles. The use of hydrogen peroxide can cause allergic reactions.

Ointments

Povidone-iodine

Betadine ® ointment contains 100 mg of povidone-iodine. The agent acts on gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, contributes to the destruction of their cell wall. The ointment has a wide spectrum of action, namely: antiseptic, antiviral, antifungal, antiprotozoal 11 . The drug demonstrates anti-inflammatory action, accelerates the healing of wound surfaces, demonstrating a low level of cytotoxicity (damage to tissue cells due to its antimicrobial action) 12 .

Povidone-iodine in a convenient dosage form in the form of an ointment allows you to carry the drug with you and use it at a convenient time, applying, for example, under occlusive dressings.

Unlike 5% iodine solution, which contains alcohol, ointment based on povidone-iodine does not dry the skin, does not cause discomfort.

Instruction

Where to buy Betadine® ointment?

Buy

Buy

Buy

Or

Find your nearest pharmacy

Search

A clinical study has shown that the combination of 1% solution and 10% Betadine ® ointment has a high clinical effect in the treatment of wounds and cuts 5 .

Dexpanthenol

Dexpanthenol is a derivative of pantothenic acid, vitamin B5. The drug is able to moisturize the skin, strengthen its barrier function, prevent skin irritation, promote wound healing, and have an anti-inflammatory effect 7 .

Dexpanthenol stimulates skin regeneration, activates the genes responsible for wound healing.

Chloramphenicol and dioxomethyltetrahydropyrimidine

It has a wide spectrum of antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory action, which persists even in the presence of blood, pus. It penetrates into the wound and stimulates its healing, has an anti-inflammatory effect.

However, the ointment may cause allergic contact dermatitis spreading like nodular pruritus, as well as changes in taste, headache 8 .

Betadine® Solution and Ointment Cut Algorithm

Prepare everything needed to treat the cut 5.6 water)

  • Betadine 10% solution ® or Betadine 1% solution prepared ®
  • Betadine ointment ®
  • Gauze, cut patch
  • 90 016 Wash your hands and wear gloves to prevent infection

    Treat the wound as follows:

    • Clean the injured area with saline or water.
    • Remove loose particles or objects. To do this, twist the gauze to form a “corner” and remove foreign bodies.
    • Treat the wound with 10% or pre-prepared 1% solution of Betadine ® . Dry the wound with gauze or a napkin with blotting movements.
    • Apply a thin layer of Betadine ® Ointment directly to the wound and cover with a sterile gauze dressing, cover with plaster. You can also apply the ointment first to the dressing and then to the wound.
    • Repeat the procedure until the wound heals.

    Frequently asked questions

    What should I do if I cut myself?

    The most important thing is not to panic. Wash the wound with water or saline, treat with an antiseptic, for example, solution Betadine ® . To stimulate healing, you can use ointments. If you can’t stop the bleeding on your own or the wound doesn’t heal for a long time, it suppurates, see a doctor.

    How to treat the cut?

    Treat the cut with antiseptics. Aqueous solutions of antiseptics, for example, Betadine ® solution, can treat the entire wound field, alcohol – only the edges of the wound. After treatment, it is desirable to apply ointment Betadine ® for faster healing.

    How to stop bleeding from a cut?

    After cleansing the wound, cover the wound with a sterile dressing and apply pressure to the cut, elevating the injury above the level of the heart, if possible (for example, in case of a hand injury). If the blood pulsates, and it is not possible to stop the blood on its own for a long time, then you should seek qualified medical help.

    Kraskovsky Fedor Yanovich

    Surgeon.

    Read related

    Wound care

    How to properly treat wounds to avoid complications in damaged areas of the skin.

    More

    Ointment for wound healing

    What are the types of healing ointments and how to choose the most effective one.

    More

    Infected wounds

    Not all abrasions and cuts heal quickly and without complications. How to treat infected wounds?

    Read more

    References

    1. Zavrazhanov A. A., Gvozdev M. Yu., Krutova V. A. Wounds and wound healing// Teaching aid for interns, residents and practitioners// Krasnodar 2016.
    2. Gostishchev V.K. etc. General surgery. // GEOTAR-Media, Moscow 2005.
    3. Vasiliev V. K., Popov A. P., Tsybikzhapov A. D. General surgery// Textbook// St. Petersburg: Publishing house “Lan”, 2014.
    4. Kharkevich D. A. Pharmacology// Textbook for medical students// M.: GEOTAR-Media, 2009.
    5. Lebedev N. N., Rozanov V. E., Shikhmetov A. N. Outpatient management algorithm for a patient with an infected wound using povidone-iodine // Ambulatory surgery. – 2018 – no. 3-4.
    6. Nosenko O. M., Moskalenko T. Ya., Rutinskaya A. V. Povidone-iodine (Betadine) in modern obstetric and gynecological practice // Reproductive Endocrinology. – 2018 – no. 44 – S. 43-48.
    7. Proksch E, de Bony R, Trapp S, Boudon S. Topical use of dexpanthenol: a 70th anniversary article. J Dermatolog Treat. 2017 Dec;28(8):766-773. doi: 10.1080/09546634.2017.1325310. Epub 2017 May 14 PMID: 28503966.
    8. Romita P, Stingeni L, Hansel K, Ettorre G, Bosco A, Ambrogio F, Foti C. Allergic contact dermatitis caused by chloramphenicol with prurigo nodularis-like spreading. contact dermatitis. 2019 Apr;80(4):251-252. doi: 10.1111 code.13187. Epub 2019 Jan 10 PMID: 30485440.
    9. Instructions for medical use Betadine® Solution. (RN: P No. 015282/03).
    10. Borisov I. V. Povidone-iodine – new possibilities of a familiar drug//Wounds and wound infections 2021, 8 (3): 12-18. Instructions for medical use Betadine® Ointment. (RN: P No. 015282/02).
    11. Instructions for medical use Betadine® Ointment. (RN: P No. 015282/02).
    12. Bigliardi L.P. et al. Povidone iodine in wound healing: A review of current concepts and practices International Journal of Surgery 44 (2017).

    GERMANIKURE Professional Nail Cutter Scissors reviews and… 0016 🦶🏻 Foot, Hand & Nail Care Tools, 💅 Foot, Hand & Nail Care

    Media

    (4)

    Details

    Material Metal
    Brand GERmanikure
    Blade Material Stainless Steel
    Item Weight 0.05 Pounds

    Description GERMANIKURE Professional Nail Cutter Scissors

    THE HEALTHY OPTION. Unlike a clipper, scissors prevent nail damage because the cut is gradual and gentle. Our scissors are manually adjustable so that the blades do not touch each other – this keeps the blades sharp and ensures the health of the nails. MADE IN GERMANY BY HAND. Each scissors is sharpened by hand by adult craftsmen in Solingen, Germany. HIGH CARBON STAINLESS STEEL. Tough as high carbon steel and rust resistant as stainless steel. This high quality steel prevents dulling and keeps the blade sharp…

    View more

    Best Cuticle Nipper

    Nichole S. Summer s

    Ukraine, Kiev

    1 Level

    434 Review

    0 Karma

    This may be too much information, but I partially tore off a nail a few days ago when I injured my toe. I bought them after I couldn’t trim crooked nails with my old trimmer. I don’t know what others are talking about but these are the best trimmers I have ever seen or used. Very nice design with the quality of workmanship you would expect from Germany. These guys are HOT, but that’s the point. The handle is large enough for my large male thumbs, the action is smooth (from . ..

    Pros

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    • Not as thick as others

    Misleading marketing, useless “manicure tool”

    Rebecca M. Marie

    Israel, Jerusalem

    1 Level

    448 Review

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    I bought this item called “Manicure Tool”. When I tried to cut my toenails, I cut my finger, which bled for several days. I tried again a month later and cut my finger again. At this point, I was outside of Revane’s return window. I contacted the company and went through several emails. In the end, they agreed to refund my money once I sent the item back. Then they said it was NOT their scissors and made fun of me for being…

    Pros

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    • Very expensive

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    Heather B. Brown

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    416 Review

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    These are very good nail scissors. Fine workmanship, beautiful sharp cutting effect. The problem is that they don’t provide enough leverage to easily cut through a large toenail. At least for me. I usually touch up my toenails after a shower to soften them up a bit, but even so I couldn’t make a single clean cut around the edges of the large toenail. I had to make two or three cuts to trim it to fit the curve I…

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