BEAUTY IS PAIN

When cosmetic routines cause problems

THIS WEEK: Nails harbour germs THE area under the nails is a perfect home for bacteria as it is protected, warm and moist.

And many bugs survive basic handwashing which means they can also pass into the mouth if you chew your nails, according to a study in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology in 1988.

In fact, the saliva of nail biters is three times more likely to contain e.coli (a bacteria that can lead to stomach upset) than the saliva of people who don’t bite their nails, reported the journal Oral Microbiology and Immunology in 2007.

Some nails also collect more bacteria than others. A 2020 study on 188 nurses in Poland found that even after hand disinfection, nails that had varnish applied more than a few days prior carried more bacteria than natural or freshly painted nails. The researchers didn’t explain why but they do suggest short, natural nails are best, particularly for anyone working in healthcare.