Why Cutting a “V” in Your Nail Doesn’t Work (and What to Do Instead)
- My Family Podiatry
- Oct 28, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
It is one of the most common home remedies people try for ingrown toenails: cutting a small “V” into the centre of the nail to stop the edges digging in. You might have heard it from a friend, a parent, or even read it online. Unfortunately, it simply does not work.
At My Family Podiatry in Albany Creek, we see this all the time. Patients come in frustrated because the pain keeps coming back despite their best efforts. Cutting a V into the nail might seem harmless, but it can actually make things worse over time.
Let’s look at why this myth persists, what really happens when you cut your nail this way, and what you should do instead to fix the problem for good.
The Origin of the “V” Trick
The idea behind cutting a V into your toenail goes back decades. People believed that removing a small notch from the middle of the nail would relieve pressure on the sides, encouraging the nail edges to grow inward and “pull out” from the skin.
It sounds logical: if you remove a section from the middle, the nail should curve less, right? Unfortunately, that is not how nail growth works. Toenails grow from the base (the nail matrix), not from the tip. So whatever you do to the end of the nail has no impact on how it grows out.
Why Cutting a “V” Doesn’t Work
The nail plate grows continuously from the root, pushing forward as a single solid structure. The centre of the nail and the sides grow together as one unit.
When you cut a V into the tip, three things happen:
The nail continues to grow forward from the base exactly as before. The sides still grow in the same direction, so there is no pulling force.
The notch can weaken the nail. It creates a central weak point that can split or tear, especially in thick or brittle nails.
You risk introducing bacteria or trauma. Rough cutting can cause small cracks or even cut the skin which makes infection more likely.
So while it may seem like you are “relieving pressure,” you are actually leaving your nail more vulnerable to breaking and your toe at higher risk of infection.
How Ingrown Toenails Really Develop
To understand why the V method fails, it helps to understand how ingrown toenails form.
Ingrown toenails occur when the nail edge grows into the surrounding skin rather than straight ahead. The most common causes include:
Nails cut too short or with cutting down the edges
Tight or pointed shoes pressing on the nail edges
Naturally curved nails that grow downwards
Toe trauma, like stubbing or dropping something on the toe
Repetitive pressure, such as running or kicking sports
Once the edge penetrates the skin, inflammation and pain begin. If left untreated, infection can develop, causing swelling, discharge, and sometimes pus.
Why the Pain Keeps Coming Back
When the nail edge is not properly corrected, the same section continues to push into the skin as it grows out.
This is why temporary fixes like cutting a V or soaking the toe can seem to help for a few days but never stop the problem from returning. Each time the nail grows, it follows the same path...right back into the soft tissue.
Breaking this cycle usually means reshaping the edge or, in recurring cases, treating the part of the nail that causes the issue so that it does not grow back.
What You Should Do Instead
If you are starting to feel pain or notice redness around your toenail, here is the correct approach:
1. Avoid digging or cutting deep into the nail corners.
This often worsens the problem and can create small wounds that easily become infected.
2. Soak the foot in warm salty water.
This can help reduce inflammation and soften the skin, providing short-term relief.
3. Wear open or wide-fitting shoes.
Reducing pressure on the toe will help prevent further irritation while the area settles.
4. See a podiatrist early.
If pain persists for more than a few days, the ingrown nail needs professional attention. Your podiatrist can gently lift the nail edge, remove the small spicule causing the pain, and dress the toe properly.
At My Family Podiatry, we assess each case to work out whether conservative care is likely to settle it, or whether a minor procedure called a Partial Nail Avulsion (PNA) is worth considering for nails that keep returning.
When Nail Surgery Is Worth Considering
For recurring or severe ingrown toenails, a Partial Nail Avulsion treats the nail edge so that it does not usually grow back.
This quick, in-clinic procedure involves:
Numbing the toe with local anaesthetic
Removing the offending nail edge
Applying phenol to the nail bed, which is what stops that edge regrowing in most cases
Most people walk out the same day and return to normal activity within a few days. Once the toe has healed, the nail usually looks natural and the problem is far less likely to return.
What Happens If You Leave It Too Long
Leaving an ingrown toenail untreated allows infection and inflammation to worsen. Over time, this can cause:
Hypergranulation tissue (the red, bumpy skin that can bleed easily)
Increased pain and throbbing
Difficulty wearing shoes
Infection spreading deeper, potentially even to the bone
These problems can delay healing and increase the need for surgical intervention later. The earlier the issue is treated, the better your outcome.
Why Cutting a “V” Can Make Things Worse
Beyond simply not working, cutting a V can actually aggravate the problem.
It weakens the nail, causing cracks that catch on socks or shoes.
The sharp corners left behind can dig even deeper into the skin.
It can delay professional treatment, allowing infection to worsen.
What starts as a simple sore spot can quickly become a painful, swollen, and infected toe that needs medical attention.
The Correct Way to Trim Your Toenails
To reduce your risk of developing ingrown toenails in the future:
Cut nails straight across, not curved down the edges.
Leave a small amount of nail extending past the skin edge.
File any sharp edges gently with an emery board.
Avoid tearing or peeling nails, as this can leave jagged edges.
If you struggle to see or reach your toenails, or have thick nails that are difficult to cut, regular podiatry care can help prevent issues before they start.
Why Choose My Family Podiatry
At My Family Podiatry, we treat ingrown toenails daily for patients across Albany Creek and surrounding suburbs through North Brisbane.
We provide:
Gentle, professional care for painful ingrown nails
Nail surgery for nails that keep coming back
Clean, modern facilities and sterile technique
Same-week appointments for urgent cases
Our aim is to get you walking comfortably again and to reduce the chance of the problem returning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does cutting a V in the nail ever help?
No. The nail grows from the base, not the tip, so a V cut has no influence on nail shape or direction.
Can I treat an ingrown nail at home?
You can try warm saltwater soaks and open shoes for temporary comfort, but the nail edge itself usually needs professional attention.
Is ingrown toenail surgery painful?
The toe is numbed with local anaesthetic first, and the anaesthetic itself does sting. Once the problem edge is removed, most people find the toe far more comfortable than it was.
How can I stop ingrown toenails coming back?
Follow proper trimming techniques, wear shoes that fit well, and seek early podiatry care if you notice pain or redness.
Book an Appointment
If you have been trying to fix your ingrown toenail at home and it keeps coming back, it is worth having it looked at properly. Our podiatrists at My Family Podiatry Albany Creek can assess the nail, treat the source of the pain, and talk through what will help stop it returning.
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