Nail Fungus: Causes and Prevention

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Nail Fungus: Causes and Prevention

Nail Fungus: Causes and Prevention

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We’ve all been there – getting your nails done only to find out later that you’ve unfortunately gotten a nail fungus. At that point, you may be wondering if you did something wrong or if it was the nail technician. Well, Dr. Lash is here to answer all your questions!

Firstly, what is nail fungus? 

Nail fungus is a fungal infection that can affect the nails of the toes and fingers. It begins as a white or yellow-brown spot under the tip of your fingernail or toenail. As the fungal infection goes deeper, the nail may discolor, thicken and crumble at the edge.

So next comes the question, what causes them?

Fungi thrives in moist environments.Thus, manicures can increase the risk of developing nail fungus as soaking nails in water creates a warm, moist environment needed for fungal growth. This can be further made worse if tools aren’t sterilized properly after each customer, causing bacteria to be spread from one person to another. Acrylic nails that aren’t cured properly can also cause bacteria to be trapped in the moist area between the fingernail and the acrylic nail, eventually leading to nail fungus. 

Furthermore, fungus can be spread from nail to nail – so if you’re infected on one nail, be sure to avoid touching your other nails!

How can we prevent them?

The first thing you can do is to ensure the salon you’re going to is reputable and certified so you can trust their hygiene levels. If you’re still unsure, you can ask your manicurist to clean their equipment in front of you. It is protocol for Dr. Lash’s nail artists to sterilise the tools used after each customer so you can be assured that you are in safe hands!

Another thing you can do is to avoid cutting or pushing back your cuticles. Cutting the cuticle interrupts the protective barrier function it serves to keep the nail safe from infection. Also, regularly pushing cuticles back causes permanent damage and changes the nail shape, so this step is unnecessary!

If you’ve unfortunately had your nails infected, do treat them using antifungal nail creams and ointments. You can also get a prescription for antifungal pills from your doctor.

If you’re looking for a reputable nail salon, our Orchard Central outlet provides high quality manicures and pedicures with any design you like. Here’s an idea of what you can expect in your next visit with us and some verified reviews below. Book your appointment today!