Along with dead skin cells and dirt, nasty germs like Klebsiella (bacteria that cause pneumonia and urinary tract infections) and Candida parapsilosis (a yeast that causes wound and blood stream infections) can be found under fingernails.
One particularly prevalent germ found under nails is Staphlococcus aureus, which can cause a load of crazy skin infections like boils and abscesses.
People with long nails produced an average of 270 germ colonies from under their nails. Germ colonies collected ranged from zero to 1,500 among the 30 people surveyed. The average fingernail produced between 10 to 50 colonies, or three to 700, depending on the nail length.
Female pinworms move to the anal area to lay their eggs, which often results in anal itching. When you scratch the itchy area, the eggs cling to your fingers and get under your fingernails.
Keratin debris and skin cells accumulate underneath the fingernail and turn a grayish color when they come in contact with dirt and oil. It is also common for remnants of personal care products such as lotions, makeup, and soaps to accumulate under the nails.
Onychomycosis or tinea unguium is usually caused by a buildup of dermatophyte fungi. These are parasitic fungi infecting the skin and nails, which need to reside in human or animal bodies in order to survive. Fungal infections of the nail are caused when dermatophytes burrow under the nails to breed.
Splinter hemorrhages get their name because they look like wood splinters under your nail. Splinter hemorrhages occur when small blood vessels called capillaries under the skin beneath your nail (nail bed) burst due to damage. The leaking blood becomes visible through your nail.
Ringworm - Tinea unguium or onchomycosis is a chronic fungal infection of the nails. It is normally caused by the dermatophyte fungus. The nails grow very thick and turn white or yellow. Treatment is by antifungal drugs, taken as tablets.
The most common symptoms of scabies, itching and a skin rash, are caused by sensitization (a type of “allergic” reaction) to the proteins and feces of the parasite. Severe itching (pruritus), especially at night, is the earliest and most common symptom of scabies.
By an infected child not washing hands after using the bathroom. If the child then touches playmates or toys, he/she may pass on the eggs. Pinworm eggs can also be transferred to the fingers from clothing or bedding, and then spread around the home.
People believe that she remains at home at night to endow the house with prosperity and wealth. Therefore, actions such as disposing of waste, handing away money, paying off loans, and trimming nails and hair should not be done, which shall disrespect Goddess Lakshmi.
To begin with, your nails harbor all sorts of germs. In particular, a family of bacteria called enterobacteriaceae — which includes salmonella and E. coli — tends to thrive in the cozy crevice beneath the tips of your nails, Scher explains.
It is therefore reasonable to conclude that nails are much more likely to contain pathogens than toilet seats, provided that a reasonable amount of cleaning is performed: hands are washed normally, toilets are flushed and hygenised as normal practice.
Scabies mites
After 3 to 4 days, the baby mites (larvae) hatch and move to the surface of the skin, where they mature into adults. Scabies like warm places, such as skin folds, between the fingers, under fingernails, or around the buttock or breast creases. They can also hide under watch straps, bracelets or rings.
Oh, nail biters, are you all in for a shocking surprise. Studies have revealed that our nails are not only housing germs, but they're even creating them. Although your hands may feel cold and dry, your nail beds are actually warm and moist. And the dirty truth is: that type of environment makes germs thrive.
Fingernails should be kept short, and the undersides should be cleaned frequently with soap and water. Because of their length, longer fingernails can harbor more dirt and bacteria than short nails, thus potentially contributing to the spread of infection.
There are two medications that can be used to treat the infection and manage the symptoms. The treatment of choice is diethylcarbamazine (DEC), which kills the microfilariae and adult worms. Albendazole is sometimes used in patients who are not cured with multiple DEC treatments.
People become infected, usually unknowingly, by swallowing (ingesting) infective pinworm eggs that are on fingers, under fingernails, or on clothing, bedding, and other contaminated objects and surfaces. Because of their small size, pinworm eggs sometimes can become airborne and ingested while breathing.
Ringworm of the Nails (Tinea Unguium)
Ringworm is the most common fungal infection of the nails, also called onychomycosis. It can make fingernails look white, thick, opaque, and brittle, but more often toenails look yellow, thick, and brittle.
“Nail keratin debris results from a fungal infection of the nail. In medical terms this is called onychomycosis or tinea unguium,” says Batra. The fungal infection breaks down the keratin in the nail to form a white or yellow chalky substance under the nail plate.
Splinter Hemorrhages
These look like thin red, brown, or blackish lines under the nails and they run longitudinally towards the direction of nail growth. These are mostly caused by trauma but may also be a sign of vitamin C deficiency.
A subungual splinter may be removed by cutting out a V-shaped piece of the nail. The point of the V is at the proximal tip of the splinter, which is grasped and removed, taking particular care not to push the splinter further into the nail bed.