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Importance Of Nail Hygiene: Our nails are an important part of our overall hygiene and health. How bad it looks when our nails are big, pale and dirty! Do you see ridges, dents, or areas of unusual colour or shape of your nails? According to the Mayo Clinic, our fingernails are composed of laminated layers of a protein called keratin grown from the area at the base of the nail under your cuticle. Healthy fingernails are smooth, without pits or grooves. They're uniform in colour and consistency and free of spots or discolouration. It is extremely necessary to take care of your nails and keep them in shape and clean. Here are some reasons why nail hygiene is important.

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Importance Of Nail Hygiene

Infections

If you have dirty nails, infections can easily spread from your hands to your mouth. When you eat food, the germs and dirt from your nails are transferred to your food and mouth, which can cause bacterial infections. Therefore keep your nails clean.

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Stop Bacterial Infections

If you keep your fingers clean, it will prevent bacterial and fungal infections. Try to maintain clean and dry fingernails to stop the development of bacterial infections under the nail tips.

Healthcare Issue

Lack of proper Nail hygiene can cause several healthcare problems as well. Wash your hands at regular intervals properly and do not forget to cut and clean your nails.

Importance Of Nail Hygiene (Image Credits: Canva)

Chewing Nails

The worst habit that most individuals have is to chew their nails. By putting your nails into your mouth, you are carrying numerous germs and bacteria in your nails that get transferred to your mouth. This can cause you to develop infections and diseases.

Long Fingernails

Keeping long fingernails will often let the dirt and germs stay in your nails. So, whenever you eat anything, the germs will pass through your mouth and cause serious illnesses. Therefore, always keep your nails trimmed and clean to avoid any infections.

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Tips For Nail Hygiene:

  • According to the CDC, keep nails short and trim them often.
  • Scrub the underside of nails with soap and water (or a nail brush) every time you wash your hands.
  • Clean any nail grooming tools before use.
  • Sterilise nail grooming tools before use.
  • Avoid biting or chewing nails.
  • Avoid cutting cuticles, as they act as barriers to prevent infection.
  • Never rip or bite a hangnail. Instead, clip it with a clean, sanitised nail trimmer.

 

(Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment.)