Long Nails May Not Be as Hygienic as Some Think

Long nails might be a lot more expensive than any of us realize…  They make exposure to some nasty microorganisms more likely…  And the longer the nail, the worse it gets.

American University researchers found whether nails were artificial nails, long natural nails, gel nails, acrylic nails, or just nail polish—long nails increase the probability that microorganisms lurk underneath them, which in turn makes it them difficult to wash off with simple handwashing.

Researcher Jeffrey Kaplan says, “The longer the nail, the more surface area there is for microorganisms to adhere. Studies have found 32 different bacteria and 28 different fungi underneath fingernails.”

He adds that one study found an antibiotic resistant bacteria, MRSA, in half of fingernail samples, which could end up causing an infection.

He says you can transmit germs from your nails into your body by scratching, nail biting, nose-picking, and finger-sucking.

Even the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that artificial nails should not be worn by health care workers, who have direct patient care with high-risk patients, and that their nail tips should be kept to one-fourth inch in length.