Artificial vs. Natural Fingernails

There have been several studies investigating how organisms can be transferred from patients' moist skin to catheters despite thorough handwashing with soap and hot water. (32) Two possible reasons why:

The bacteria may have been resistant to alcohol sanitizers, water solutions, or antimicrobial soap; and

Pathogens were under the fingernails, the fingertips, and/or around and under the edges of the cuticles.

Artificial fingernails help more pathogens survive than do natural nails.

Another study examined the effectiveness of handwashing in removing microflora from natural nails vs. artificial nails. (33) The results showed that 86 percent of healthcare workers with artificial nails still had pathogens after handwashing, versus the 36 percent of healthcare workers who had natural nails. It was proven that wearing artificial nails in hospital settings is more dangerous than having natural nails.

The study reveals that even when using the best handwashing techniques, artificial fingernails allow more pathogens to survive than natural nails do.

My mom, a surgical nurse for 44 years, would complain about women with long nails who just rinsed their hands without soap and lightly patted them dry with a paper towel. She seldom complained about anything, so I guess that she was ahead of her time in recognizing the dangers posed by long fingernails. One solution for those determined to wear long fingernails without damaging the nail polish finish is to brush underneath the nails gently.

The most common culprits of fingernail colonization are Hepatitis A, Norovirus, E. coli 0157:H7, Listeria, MRSA, and Salmonella.

Public Restroom Enemy #1 Norovirus vs. The Nail Brush

Norovirus can be transmitted via fecal matter to fingers, then to food, and finally to ingestion. Anyone preparing food must be aware that every year (CDC study estimates), the Norovirus globally causes:

• Twenty million acute cases of gastroenteritis;
• 56,000–71,000 hospitalizations;
• 570–800 deaths; and
• Fifty-eight percent of acquired foodborne illnesses in the United States. (34)

To clean your fingernails properly, use an effective nailbrush with the following characteristics:

• Fused bristles, which allow for thorough cleaning;
• Bristles that are not stapled to the base (because germs can gather there),
• Non-absorbent and flexible; and
• Stiff, sturdy, and strong enough to thoroughly scrub your nails top and bottom.

Have several fingernail brushes at home, one at every sink and tub. Always carry one in your purse inside a plastic container with holes for ventilation.

Some bacteria grow exponentially, doubling in number every 20 minutes. If you start with one hundred bacteria beneath one fingernail, in twenty minutes you’ll have 200, in another twenty minutes, 400, and in an hour, you’ll have 800 under your fingernail. This will keep repeating hour after hour. In five hours’ time, you can house 3,276,800 bacteria under one fingernail.

Really? One fingernail?

Bacterial colonies need food to survive, so when we touch surfaces like dirt, fibers, toilets, faucet handles, ATM keypads, cell phones, and gas pump handles, we pick up bacteria and leave it behind for the next person.

Our nail brush may be one of our best weapons against the spread of a pandemic.