Nail Hygiene

Hand hygiene includes nail hygiene which is a representation of our personal hygiene. Our fingers and toes' ends are protected from injury by our nails which also make it easier to pick things up. It is very vital to take proper care of our nails and keep them clean. Since we in India eat with our bare hands, maintaining good nail hygiene is very essential; otherwise, hand hygiene is insufficient. If not taken proper care, nails can develop into a haven for bacteria and other germs. This might lead to major health problems like bacterial and viral infections. Regular hand washing is considered to lower the incidence of diarrhea by up to 40%, respiratory issues due to viral infections by up to 21% and gastrointestinal diseases in children by up to 57%.

Good nail hygiene is not that tough to maintain. The health of our nails can be maintained with a little knowledge and maintenance. As part of good hand hygiene, it's important to carefully clean and trim our fingernails which can harbor bacteria and contribute to the development of some infections like pinworms etc. As longer fingernails harbor more dirt and bacteria than shorter ones due to their length and also promotes the spread of illness. Thus, keeping our fingernails short and washing periodically with soap and water on the undersides is a good practice to maintain the nail hygiene.

          Below are the Do’s and Don’ts for maintaining proper Nail Hygiene-

1. Chewing on your fingernails can harm the nail bed because even small cuts might harbor germs and infections. Additionally, when we bite, bacteria enter our mouths immediately. So refrain from eating your nails.
2.  Although sharing nail clippers is acceptable but people shouldn't. Nail clippers should never be shared since nails are a breeding ground for numerous germs, bacteria, and viruses. After trimming the nails, always wash the hands with soap and water.
3. Maintaining clean, dry fingernails will stop the bacterial and fungal diseases from developing under the nails. Rubber gloves with a cotton lining can be used while applying strong chemicals, dishwashing, or cleaning.
4. Pick the nail care supplies carefully to maintain proper nail hygiene.
5. Keep hands and nails hydrated to prevent the cuticles from growing out too much. After washing the hands for at least 20 seconds, moisturize the hands.
6. Never attempt to remove the hangnails. Instead, gently cut them off and avoid using nail-harming products. Always choose the products without acetone.
7. Lack of hand and nail sanitation can result in a number of health problems, increase the frequency of doctor visits and in some cases can also lead to hospitalization.