Cleaning under your fingernails can often be overlooked since most people think they can achieve this by simply washing their hands. Studies show that people can easily spread dirt and bacteria from their hands to their eyes, mouth, and skin. Whenever you scratch your skin and then rub your eye you are transferring grime from your fingernails without realizing it. This is often how styes develop. Poor nail hygiene can lead to a multitude of nail infections. When nail infections are present this can often lead to nail discoloration, nail thickening, and cause nails to be prone to breakage.
Besides washing your hands thoroughly, there are several things you can do to maintain healthy nails. First and foremost, you want to make sure you are keeping your nails clean and dry. When you cut your nails, cut them straight across. Make sure to disinfect any tools that you are using to trim your nails. You should also use an emery board to remove any snags on your nails. Additionally, refrain from biting your nails and try not to use your nails to open cans or as a tool. Make sure to cut your nails regularly and wear footwear that fits properly especially around public pools and showers. Lastly, never pull at hangnails because they can tear your skin and cause you to bleed, which then exposes a cut to the elements.
It is just as important to clean your toenails as fungal infections can grow if your nails aren’t properly taken care of. A type of fungi that is more common is known as dermatophytes. This type of fungi can cause a lot of issues for your nails and cause them to appear damaged. Make sure you keep your feet dry as much as possible. If you’re wearing socks with closed shoes and they happen to get wet, make sure to remove your socks and shoes as soon as you’re able to. When water gets trapped in a closed area, that fosters bacteria and infections to develop.
Proper nail care should be a part of your everyday hygiene maintenance. Some people find it easier to do a deeper cleaning of their nails while they’re in the shower. This can be a good time to do this however you want to make sure that you aren’t spreading the dirt to other parts of your body. If you’re using a cloth or scrubber to clean under your nails, you should not be using that same thing to clean your body or face. Once you’ve cleaned your fingernails thoroughly you can then move on to trimming your nails to your liking. If you like to keep your nails long, then it is especially important to consistently engage in proper nail care. If you visit nail salons often, you want to make sure that the tools they’re using are clean and sterilized. It is common for people to develop an infection after visiting a nail salon that doesn’t prioritize disinfecting their tools between customers.
