False Nails (Does it promote infection?)

fadingyouth · Apr 1, 2002

The issues surrounding false/artificial nails is avalid one with the onset of new diseases. However, some (such as I) do not wear them for cosmetic purposes, but to eliminate the possibilities of burning, tears, etc.

When nails grow, but split after a time and tear straight thru the middle it creates a greater hazard. I have been close to tears after engaging in burning soap or catching a tear on a sheet or otherobject.

Please understand that I am not supporting or defending the issue, but just stating my reasons. I keep them fingertip length, wash fervently and use universal precautions.

RNforLongTime · Apr 2, 2002

I have worn artificial nails on and off for over 5 years now. I was just recently told that my facility is planning to re-vamp the dress code therefore banning artificial nails. I have taken them off in the past and because my real nails were so fragile and brittle, I constantly was biting them down to the quick, sometimes even causing them to bleed. So, which is worse? my very short acrylic nails or my natural nails with open, bleeding cuticles/nail beds?

KC CHICK · Apr 3, 2002

I have tried artificial nails in the past and they caused my natural nails to become thin and brittle.

kaknurse, were your nails this fragile before you started wearing artificials??

Just curious,

Anne:)

BarbraJean · Apr 3, 2002

Hi I'm a Community Visiting Nurse & I confess I to have Nail Tips. I get mine done every week I have a permanent French Manicure. I also wash my hands at least 40 times a day with a antibacterial antifungal foam. I've never lost a nail & I get mine cultered every six months. I also use a box of gloves a week. I have no trouble outting in I.V or Midlines. My nails are just a little past my fingertips. My point? I'm both vain & patient safety concious. Barb

RNforLongTime · Apr 3, 2002

I have always had thin brittle nails. Acrylics make them worse and everytime I try to go without them, I end up biting my nails till they bleed cause they are so raggedy. Mine are real short too extending maybe 3mm over my fingertip. Neverhad them cultured. But I don't see the difference between naturally long nails and short acrylics.

RNforLongTime · Apr 10, 2002

Well, I took my acrylics off(myself of course as I refuse to pay the salon to do this when i can get the same stuff at Wal-Mart). My nails hurt! They are very brittle and paper thin. I have so many ridges on them--it'll take a year for them to grow out. I just hope I don't start biting them again.

NicuGal, MSN, RN · May 11, 2002

Our policy just changed and went into effect...if you are caught wearing false/artifical nails, including gels, etc, you will be sent off the floor and can not return until you have them taken off.

I am fine with this, but my question is...what about these mom's that come in with the fake nails....isn't there the same risk to the babies as us?

Aussienurse2 · Jun 21, 2002

O.K. I like long nails but how do you work in them???????

It seems to me that as soon as I walk onto the ward any nails I have that are longer than 0.05 of a centimeter long disintegrate. In the showers they get caught in the towels or washers, making beds they get caught in the sheets and are torn off, I give up, the potential for infection is every where.

" Everything and everone is a potential source of infection", especially nails that have been torn off and left where they fall, unnoticed, habouring God knows what and some poor sick bugger stands on one, it breaks the skin and they end up with more probs than they started out with. Not worth the risk. What if it breaks off low in the nail bed? You open yourself up for infection. Save the fakies for your holidays, they last longer that way anyway.

SmilingBluEyes · Jun 21, 2002

I think false nails in nursing are disgusting, unprofessional, and dangerous. I got my skin SCRATCHED OPEN by an artificial-nail-wearing nurse starting an IV on me. (yes she wore gloves, but sometimes that is not enough!).... I just prayed she wasn't gonna be the one to take care of my newborn, when she came. Imagine wearing such DAGGERS in the NURSERY!!!!

If you want to wear art. nails or even LONG natural nails, then PUHLEEZE don't do bedside nursing. Go into research or some other field where they are not a hassle and a hazard. They are not worth the risks to yourself, your family, (when you bring organisms home), and the patients you are pledging to protect and "do no harm" to. BIG HUGE PET PEEVE OF MINE, sorry. NAILS AND PERFUME ON THE PT CARE AREAS...should be NO-NO's w/o exception. :nono:

twells · Jun 21, 2002

I've heard that well-kept, non-chipped polich and false nails would be safe, but how can anyone make it through 12-14 hours washing hands multiple times per hour and still have non-chipped polish?

When I worked in surgery, I discovered that a 3coat plus topcoat manicure didn't survive the first scrub. After that, I went bare.

RNforLongTime · Jun 22, 2002

It's been two months now since I took my nails off. My nails are starting to get back to normal. I've been having a major problem with hangnails though. I try to push my cuticles back while I'm in the shower but it doesn't seem to be helping. The skin around my right thumb nail is constantly peeling. I don't know what to do. I tried putting a strenghtener on them but it just keeps chipping off. HELP!!!

fadingyouth · Jun 23, 2002

I just reapplied nail tips. Short enough to be able to do anything .

I tried applying strengthners, creams, gels, but my nails curve inward and split straight down the middle.

They did all this prior to my first application of artificial nails so they are not the culprit.

Better that I try to keep my nails clean than to snag, bleed, tear or otherwise open myself to a bacterial field