Hello, I'm Shiho, a nail artist and Japanese nurse who runs a nail salon in Vienna.
Do you know about green nail syndrome?
It's a process in which various factors combine to cause your own nails to become infested with bacteria.
Furthermore, 60% of people who have had their nails done are said to have pre-existing green nail syndrome!
Green nail syndrome can be prevented by having the correct knowledge about gel nails, so I would like to explain about green nail syndrome in an easy-to-understand manner.
- What is Green Nail Syndrome?
- Causes of Green Nail Syndrome
- Symptoms of Green Nail Syndrome
- Can green nail syndrome infect people?
- How to Cure Green Nail Syndrome
- How to Prevent Green Nail Syndrome
- When can they get nails done?
- About my salon's hygiene management
- Finally...
What is Green Nail Syndrome?
Green nail syndrome is a condition in which the surface of the nail turns green or black due to infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
In fact, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common bacterium that is present around water, in the soil, and very close to us, and it is also a common bacterium that is in various parts of the human body.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a bacterium, although people often mistake it for a mold (fungus) because of the *green* color of the metabolites it produces.
The growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on the nail surface does not cause systemic infections, and healthy individuals are rarely affected.
Causes of Green Nail Syndrome
Pseudomonas aeruginosa grows in the space between the gel and your own nails
Do you have any idea?
- Leaving the gel in place that is lifting
- Not following the gel reapplication period (around 3-4 weeks)
- Cut your own nails with a nail clipper while having gel
If the gel lifts, water will enter the gap between the gel and your nails, creating a humid environment there.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the cause of green nail syndrome, prefers this type of environment and gradually multiplies.
If gel lifts, it is important to remove it at the nail salons as soon as possible, rather than leaving it on place.
Even if you think there is no liftting from the outside, after the treatment, the gel will gradually begin to deteriorate, and over a period of time, small invisible gaps will form between the nail and the gel.
For this reason, my salon recommends a normal reapplication time of approximately 3-4 weeks.
The gel reapplication period varies from person to person.
Even if a nail is liftitng earlier than 3-4 weeks, I recommend to come for removal, but if there is no time to come for removal, I recommend self-removal using acetone.
※Cutting your own nails with nail clippers creates a 100% gap between the gel and the nail, increasing the risk of green nail syndrome.
※Some people use nail glue to fill the gap between the gel and the nail, but this also increases the risk of green nail syndrome and should be avoided.
Decreased immunity
People with healthy bodies are resistant to Pseudomonas aeruginosa, but people with weakened immune systems have a higher chance of contracting it.
- Physical fatigue
- Under a lot of stress
- Have a cold
- Bad living environment (reversal of day and night, unbalanced nutrition, etc.)
- Poor intestinal environment (constipation or diarrhea persists)
Essentially, green nail syndrome is not contagious to people or other fingers.
If you discover one green nail syndrome and then gradually two or three more, your body itself may have become weak and susceptible to infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
If you are experiencing recurring green nail syndrome after gel removal, you should also consider whether your body and mind are currently in a healthy state.
Sweaty hands/working with water a lot
People with sweaty hands and those who work with water frequently tend to be more susceptible to green nail syndrome.
Especially during the rainy season and summer, hands tend to sweat easily, so be sure to wash hands frequently, sanitize and dry them, and keep fingertips clean.
In the summer, there may be more opportunities to go to the pool or the beach.
Even if it does not look like it is lifting, water can still enter through small unseen gaps caused by gel degradation.
So I recommend that the gel be reapplied earlier than normal during the summer months.
Frequent computer use
The damage to the gel nails from keyboarding is surprisingly large, and if it is repeated daily, the gel can easily lift, which can lead to green nail syndrome.
Take measures to reduce damage to your gel nails, such as taking care not to hit your nail tips when keyboarding.
Symptoms of Green Nail Syndrome
Green nail syndrome is a condition in which the nails turn green or black.
It is said that since there are few subjective symptoms such as itching or pain, people often do not notice until removing the gel.
When green nail syndrome is mild, the nails turn a light green color.
Since it does not cause inflammation, it is difficult to notice without gel removal.
In severe cases, the nail color changes from green to black.
Prevention is also important because if the affected area festers, it can cause a putrid odor, and if it worsens further, it can lead to breaking and peeling of your nails.
Can green nail syndrome infect people?
It is not transmitted from person to person or nail to nail.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa itself is a commensal bacterium and is present everywhere in the human body, so having green nail syndrome does not mean that the bacterium will spread and reproduce in others.
If hygiene is maintained and there are no health concerns, there is no need to worry about getting green nails.
It is important to remember that green nail syndrome is not contagious to humans, as it occurs often when gel is left to lift, when it is overdue for reapplication, or when there are hygiene or health problems.
How to Cure Green Nail Syndrome
Sometimes they heal spontaneously
Green nail syndrome may heal spontaneously if it is caused by and mildly related to the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa that has infected the area where the gel has lifted.
All infected nails are gel-removed and left in their natural state until the greenish area grows out.
During this period, it is basically safe to leave it alone without disinfection or medication, but be sure to wipe off the moisture when you wash your hands.
This will allow the green nail to heal naturally.
Of course, if you are concerned, a doctor visit is possible even for mild symptoms.
Seek medical attention
- Green nail syndrome is a severe condition
- Complications of other nail diseases
- Green nail syndrome recurs again and again after healing
If any of the above applies to you, be sure to seek medical attention.
How to Prevent Green Nail Syndrome
Care for nails frequently and keep them clean
Frequent nail care and clean conditions are important to avoid causing green nail syndrome.
As mentioned above, Pseudomonas aeruginosa can grow there in very small invisible gaps, causing green nail syndrome.
In order to avoid creating this slight gap, gel nails should follow a reapplication cycle. (about 3 to 4 weeks)
Avoid lowering the immune system
To prevent green nail syndrome, one must also be aware of the immune system.
- Lack of sleep
- Stress
- Physical fatigue
- Disordered or unbalanced diet
- Pregnancy
The above leads to a decrease in immunity.
It is also a preventive measure to lead a regular life and keep in good physical condition so that both mind and body can stay healthy.
When can they get nails done?
Gel/nail polish cannot be applied until the green area has grown out and can be cut off.
Although it varies from person to person, nails grow about 3 mm in a month.
Depending on where the green nail syndrome appeared on the nail, gel or nail polish will not be possible for roughly 3-4 months until they grow out.
About my salon's hygiene management
My salon performs frequent hand disinfection during treatment, and cleans and disinfects each client in the following manner,
- Ultrasonic Cleaning
- Ethanol disinfection
- Irradiation with special UV light for 60 minutes
- Disinfection with boiling water 60 min.
- Machine washing
- Sodium hypochlorite soaking 60 min.
- Using towel warmer with UV light
All machinery, desks, chairs, and lights are disinfected with ethanol.
After dealing with clients with green nail syndrome, I also dispose of files and bits as a precaution.
I also hold a JNA(Japan Nailist/Nail Artist Association) certified nail salon hygiene manager, a Japanese national nursing license and have 12 years of field experience in operating rooms and hospital wards as a Registered Nurse.
I hope you will feel comfortable with the hygiene management at my salon.
However, I have a cat. Since my home and salon are in the same house, I ask those who are allergic to cats to refrain just in case.
Finally...
Anyone who has ever had nails may think they are fine because they have never had green nail syndrome before, but a combination of the aforementioned factors can cause anyone to develop it.
Gel lasts longer than shellac, but please follow the reapplication cycle and if you find lifting or peeling, please come in immediately for repairs.
Once you have green nail syndrome, you will have to take a long break from gel nails.
Enjoy healthy and beautiful nails while paying attention to the load on your nails and your mental and physical hygiene.
Home Nail Salon *Luana Melia*
