From opening lids to digging in dirt, your fingernails are part of a lot of tasks. This makes the nails a common spot to find dirt, bacteria, lint, dead skin cells, and other unwanted material.

People can clean both their fingernails and toenails. Usually, this will involve using sterile nail clippers, soap, water, and a soft nail brush to help remove material from under the nail.

Thick, yellow toenails left so long they split and crumble. Nails so misshapen they dig into the skin, causing infections. Or, in the most severe cases, curling into what we call ‘ram’s horns’ that ...