Maintaining Nail Hygiene: A Guide for Healthy Fingernails and Toenails
Good nail hygiene is essential for maintaining healthy nails and preventing infections. Here are some guidelines, as recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), for maintaining good nail hygiene for both fingernails and toenails.
Keep nails clean
Regular hand and foot washing is crucial for nail health. Clean your nails by washing your hands and feet with gentle soap and warm water to remove dirt, oil, and bacteria. This simple step prevents infections and keeps your nails healthy [1].
Trim and file nails regularly
Trimming and filing nails regularly helps keep them at a comfortable length, reducing the risk of breaks, splits, and ingrown nails. Trim toenails straight across and smooth edges with a nail file, filing nails when they are slightly wet [3][2].
Care for cuticles properly
Gently push back your cuticles without cutting to avoid infection. Use nourishing cuticle oils or creams containing vitamin E, jojoba oil, or shea butter to keep them moisturized and promote healing [1][2].
Moisturize nails and surrounding skin
Frequent moisturizing helps prevent dryness and cracking. Natural oils like jojoba, avocado, and shea butter help lock in hydration and strengthen nails [1][2].
Protect nails from harsh chemicals
Wear gloves when using soaps, cleaning products, or solvents to prevent brittleness and keratin damage [2].
Avoid damaging practices
Avoid cutting cuticles, using rough filing techniques, or leaving fungal infections untreated. For toenail fungus or infections, seek treatment from a podiatrist rather than a nail technician [4].
Maintain consistent care
Gentle grooming, moisturizing after washing hands/feet, and avoiding overexposure to water or UV are key to keeping nails strong and healthy year-round [1][3].
The AAD also emphasizes the importance of disinfecting nail grooming tools and paying attention to any changes in the color, texture, or shape of the nail, as this could indicate an infection.
When cleaning toenails, it's important to sterilize equipment and use appropriate nail trimming techniques. Avoid using any sharp tools to clean under your toenails and dry your feet after cleaning to reduce the risk of infection.
Pathogens under the nails can also include fungi like dermatophytes, which can cause nail infections and discoloration, thickening, and cracking. Cutting the cuticles can increase the risk of a nail infection.
Nail cleaning is an important part of maintaining proper nail care and hygiene, and can help reduce the risk of infections that could affect the nails or other body parts. Poor nail hygiene can also lead to pinworm infections, a type of parasite that spreads via the fecal-oral route.
To reduce the risk of nail conditions, take measures such as wearing appropriate footwear when visiting swimming pools or saunas, or wearing gloves if you work in a wet environment. Cleaning the underside of the nails involves scrubbing with soap, water, and a nail brush.
Clean nails host fewer pathogens, providing an incentive to maintain good nail hygiene. By following these guidelines, you can help ensure your nails stay healthy and infection-free.
[1] American Academy of Dermatology. (2021). Healthy Nails. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/nail-disorders-list [2] Mayo Clinic. (2021). Nail Care. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/nail-care/art-20047472 [3] National Health Service (UK). (2021). How to look after your nails. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/how-to-look-after-your-nails/ [4] Cleveland Clinic. (2021). Toenail Fungus. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17183-toenail-fungus
- Regularly maintaining skin care, along with following the guidelines for nail hygiene, assists in overall health-and-wellness by preventing infections and promoting healthy nails.
- For proper skin care, remember to incorporate the usage of nourishing cuticle oils or creams containing vitamin E, jojoba oil, or shea butter into your routine, as they aid in moisturizing the surrounding skin and cuticles, enhancing healing.
- Education-and-self-development can be further extended by understanding the importance of science, especially in dermatology, which helps address common skin-care issues and various otherskin disorders.
- Personal-growth might involve adopting fitness-and-exercise routines, which also have positive effects on skin health, as regular exercise increases blood flow, promoting cell renewal and a radiant complexion.
- Practicing a balanced diet with a focus on nutrition can prove beneficial for enhancing skin health due to the essential vitamins and minerals that contribute to cell growth, repair, and overall skin function.
