Why you should never let your gel nails ‘grow out’ to save money
LETTING your gel nails “grow out” to save money puts you at risk of several gross infections, an expert has warned.
Pseudomonas bacteria can harbour on the skin and turn your nails blue, green or even black.
It can happen in two places – between the main plate and the bed, or between the gel and the nail.
And unfortunately, the only cure is to take the nail off completely.
Podiatrist Keira Moore thinks the best thing you can do to avoid the problem is get your gels removed every fortnight.
She said: “Who doesn’t like gel nails, especially in the summer in a pair of sandals?
“Spoiler… it’s podiatrists.
“Gel varnish should be removed every two to three weeks, yet many people let it ‘grow out’ to make the most of the treatment.
“However, this sometimes means that the gel is left on for months at a time.”
Keira, owner of the York Foot Clinic and working in collaboration with Pavers, added: “I regularly see nails that have turned green or blue because the gel has harboured pseudomonas bacteria under the nail.
“Sadly, the only cure for this is to remove the nail, kill the bacterial infection and wait months for a new nail to grow back.”
Pseudomonas is a type of germ that can cause infections in humans.
It can lead to conditions like pneumonia, UTIs and sepsis.
While it’s most common in people following surgery in hospital, those on ventilators and people fitted with devices such as catheters, it can occur in anyone – including those who like a nail treatment.
When enhancements lift – including gels and acrylics – it creates a small, sometimes unnoticeable gap.
Moisture can build in that area every time the hand comes into contact with water, making it the perfect environment for bacteria to grow.
This can result in what technicians call green nail syndrome, or “greenies”.
Thankfully, the problem can be avoided by using disinfected equipment and getting fake nails removed regularly.
The problem area should also be kept dry, and free from any further enhancements until it has properly healed.
It is important to note that “greenies” can happen in people with natural nails too.
Pseudomonas is usually found in soil and water and spreads through contaminated surfaces, hands and equipment.
It often goes away on its own, but when it doesn’t, it can be difficult to treat as it doesn’t respond to commonly-used antibiotics, like penicillin, doxycycline and erythromycin.
Pseudomonas bacteria can cause a variety of infections, including:
- Chest infections
- Pneumonia
- Urinary tract infections
- Wound infections
- Ear infections
- Eye infections
- Skin infections
- Musculoskeletal system infections
- Sepsis (blood poisoning)
- Gastrointestinal infections
- Endocarditis
You are more likely to become infected if you have cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to Asthma + Lung UK.
The best way to protect yourself is to follow good hygiene rules like washing your hands regularly, coughing into a tissue and cleaning with anti-bacterial products.