Nail Hygiene

​Fingernails should be kept short, and the underside of the nail should be cleaned frequently with soap and water.  Before clipping or grooming nails, all equipment should be cleaned appropriately.  

Nail Hygiene
By Pierre Mouchette | Bits-n-Pieces

Proper hand hygiene includes diligently cleaning and trimming your fingernails, which can harbor dirt and germs and contribute to the spread of some infections, such as pinworms.  Fingernails should be kept short, and the underside of the nail should be cleaned frequently with soap and water.  Before clipping or grooming nails, all equipment should be cleaned appropriately. 
Infections of the fingernails or toenails are frequently indicated by swelling and pain in the surrounding area or thickening of the nail.  Occasionally, these infections are serious, and a physician must treat them.
To prevent the proliferation of germs and illnesses:

• Keep your nails short and trim them often.
• Scrub the underside of nails with soap and water (or use a nail brush) every time you wash your hands.

Clean all grooming tools before use:

• Avoid biting or chewing your nails.
• Avoid cutting your cuticles.  They act as barriers to preventing infections.
• Never pull or bite off a hangnail.  Always clip it with a clean, sanitized nail trimmer.