Mar 30 2008
Artificial Nails & Fungus
Researchers from the Department of Dermatology at Sheba Medical Center in Israel evaluated 68 individuals with nail abnormalities after removing artificial nails. Samples of the nail were taken from the tip of the nail and at the base of the nail and sent to the lab for fungus evaluation.
Results: 83% of the nail samples (from the tip of the nail) tested positive for fungi. 53% of the samples sent from the base of the nail tested positive for fungi. Candida was the most common pathogen.
Conclusion: Onychomycosis is the medical name for toenail fungus. Fungus infections start in the nail bed and work their way into the nail. The fungus can change the shape of the nail bed causing the nail to curve. Nail fungus more commonly effects the toenails, but also can affect the fingernails. The most common type of nail fungus effects the tips of the nails. The most common type of nail fungus effects the tips of the nails.
In this study, it was found that most individuals who experienced nail changes after wearing artificial nails, had a nail fungus. This does not indicate that 83% of individuals wearing artificial nails will develop a fungus infection. The study shows that the changes in the nails, which occur after wearing artificial nails, are generally due to fungus.
More about Nail Fungus.