Dear Reader,
Charmin is concerned about the repeated fingernail infections she has experienced recently.
She likes wearing her finger-nails long and she uses acrylic over her own fingernails. Recently, her own nails have become very soft and discoloured.
She asks Check Up for advice on how to prevent nail infections.
Fungal nail infections can go unnoticed for a very long time under acrylic nails as they are hidden under the acrylic material. Fungus can thrive under the acrylic material, which provides a warm, moist environment.
When acrylic nails lift, water gets between them and the individual’s own nails. This provides a breeding ground for infection to develop.
Also, the improper cleaning of tools used by the nail technician can be a source of nail fungus as the same equipment is often used on all clients. Proper cleaning of equipment after each usage is, therefore, essential!
When untreated, the nail infection can last for many months. The first action to take when nail fungus is discovered is to remove the acrylic from the fingernails.
The natural nails should then be trimmed short and treatment applied topically (antifungal nail lacquers or solutions) and/or taken orally (prescribed antifungal medication).
To avoid nail infections when using acrylic nails, the nails should be fitted well and re-glued immediately, if they lift, to prevent moisture from being trapped in the area between acrylic and natural nail.
Good advice is for individuals to never use acrylic nails if their job requires them to have their hands in water a lot.
Repeated contact with water weakens the nail glue, resulting in the acrylic nail lifting and becoming susceptible to fungal infection.
Write:
CHECK UP
PO BOX 1731
KGN 8
Email:
arnaj56@gmail.com
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