Tips to Avoiding Fingernail Infections

There are several ways you can avoid getting fingernail infections. Nail fungus or onychomcosis is uncomfortable, unattractive, and also highly contagious. You do not have to go to any extreme measures; it is just about being sensible and making sure you keep good hygiene habits.

Nail Polish

Although nail polish is used to make your nails look better or to make them stronger, it is a no-no for nail cleanliness. Wearing nail polish can encourage fungal growth and because the underneath of your nails is not visible you will not be as aware of dirt stuck under there. Nail polish traps moisture under the nail and because this moisture is unable to evaporate it creates a damp environment. This is the kind of condition that fungus thrives in.

Although wearing nail polish is not going to cause fungi to grow, it is important to remove nail polish regularly and give your nails a chance to breathe and dry. Also if you suspect you have fungus it is recommend that you remove any nail polish and desist wearing it until the infection is gone.

The same principle applies when it comes to fake or acrylic nails. These also trap moisture so should be cared for correctly and changed regularly wherever possible.

Cleanliness

It is important to maintain clean habits to avoid getting fingernail infections. You should refrain from sharing towels, washcloths, or gloves with anyone. You must also ensure that you dry your fingers and fingernails fully when you are washing them.

Fungi and bacteria grow in warm, damp environments. If you are drying your hands with a blow hand-dryer it is important to make sure you wait for your hands to be completely dry. Often people will only dry their hands a bit and then wipe the remaining water on their clothes.

This is much worse than using a towel to dry your hands as you are making your hands warm and not removing the moisture correctly.

It is also important to make sure you keep nails a good length. It is recommended you keep them cut straight across and do not allow them to get too long. The longer and more rounded your nails are, the more space there is for dirt and bacteria to get under them. Our finger nails are the most used part of our body and the part that gets exposed to the most infectious or dangerous germs.