Never seen anything like it......

[keeleyp]

Hi - Tonight I went to do a mini manicure on a elderly lady. Her mum called me earlier in the day and asked if I could possibly cut her mums nails.She said she was unable to cut them as they were so thick, I thought thats ok I will take my clippers with me.

Anyway I got there and to my horror it was her toe nails that she wanted doing. I usually have no problem doing them , but she said she had been in hospital and not had anything done to them for 6 months.

I have never seen such think nails in my life they were prob half an inch thick, yellow and sooooooo long.

I said to her I would have a look at them, but my clippers would not even fit over the nail. I tried to tidy them up a little with the file but it was impossible.

What I wanted to know was, should I still charge her for her appointment?
I travelled 12 miles there and back.

I suggested she saw a specialist in feet, as this was not something I could do?

Thanks

 

[eskimonailtech]

i have found a very important tool for doing thick toenails is sideways cutters. they almost look like a crazy pair of pliers. but they get the job done super well, as long as you are careful and precise with your placement.

the key is to go little bit by little bit. you'll never be able to cut them normally with 3 cuts. you need to go a few mm's at a time.

THEN take a file and smooth out the rough edges and bevel the ends so they're not sharp. also, a lot of seniors tend to have pain in their toes because of degenerative diseases so i use a non-sharp birchwood stick covered in cotton to clean under and around the nails to remove any loose debris. just dont go digging underneath.

i would probably bet she has a fungus of some sort. it doesn't hurt to have it looked at. i think you did the right thing.

also, i think you should charge a discounted price as the lady mislead you with just saying "nails". normally I'll ask "well, finger nails or toe nails" but having the right tools handy is also your job. then go back and do a proper job the second time.

 

[smooth]

Hi - Tonight I went to do a mini manicure on a elderly lady. Her mum called me earlier in the day and asked if I could possibly cut her mums nails.She said she was unable to cut them as they were so thick, I thought thats ok I will take my clippers with me.

Anyway I got there and to my horror it was her toe nails that she wanted doing. I usually have no problem doing them , but she said she had been in hospital and not had anything done to them for 6 months.

I have never seen such think nails in my life they were prob half an inch thick, yellow and sooooooo long.

I said to her I would have a look at them, but my clippers would not even fit over the nail. I tried to tidy them up a little with the file but it was impossible.

What I wanted to know was, should I still charge her for her appointment?
I travelled 12 miles there and back.

I suggested she saw a specialist in feet, as this was not something I could do?

Thanks

Do not touch nails like this, this is the job for a chiropodist! There are many problems with the elderly and this type of nail so even though you think oh it's just a thick nail, it's not, refer them on!

You shouldn't have treated the client so you shouldn't really charge, save a wasted trip next time and ascertain what the condition is like if you know it's an elderly client hun.

 

[keeleyp]

Hi thank you, I said she should see a proffessional.

I think the lady should of explained the condition of the feet over the phone.