If you habitually bite your nails, could it lead to an infection?

The gaps in the nails provide a suitable environment for bacteria (germs) to thrive. The main bacteria found in nails include ▲Staphylococcus aureus ▲pneumococcus ▲urinary tract infection bacteria ▲yeast. Exposure to these germs can lead to various diseases such as colds, eye infections, and acute respiratory illnesses. Occasionally, pinworms or eggs that have moved from the anus to the surface of the nails may enter the mouth, potentially causing oral diseases.

To maintain healthy nails and overall health, you must absolutely stop the habit of biting your nails. Additionally, let's look into the methods introduced by the National Health Service (NHS) of the United Kingdom for maintaining healthy nails and toenails.

Cut your nails after showering.

After showering or bathing, nails absorb water and become soft. Cutting them at this time causes less irritation and prevents nail fragments from scattering around.

If your nail breaks, cut it short.

If your nail is broken, trim it short to prevent it from catching or bleeding.

Do not scratch under the nails with a sharp object=

Sometimes, people use sharp objects like toothpicks to remove dirt stuck under their nails. However, if the nail gets injured, it can lead to infections caused by various bacteria.

▷Vertical trimming in the growth direction=

In particular, it is best to trim toenails only in the direction of growth vertically. Cutting too deeply at the edges can lead to ingrown toenails. Ingrown toenails mainly occur on the big toe, where untrimmed nail fragments dig into the flesh and cause inflammation.

Additionally, methods such as frequently applying hand cream, wearing rubber gloves when using cleaning supplies, avoiding tight-fitting shoes, and not neglecting skin conditions like athlete's foot were introduced.