Ever wonder what infectious agents you carry under your fingernails? Enterobacteriaceae picked up through poor hygiene can make you sick.
Dr. Anthony Hilton (Grime Scene Investigation) at Aston University in Birmingham found enterobacteriaceae under the nails of 24% of the men and 15% of the women tested. The study involved collection and culture of nail clippings from 55 women and 45 men with sterile clippers/scissors.
What is Enterobacteriaceae?
Enterobacteriaceae is a family of organisms that commonly inhabits the gut (gastrointestinal tracts) of people and animals.
Enterobacteriaceae can cause gastroenteritis (diarrhea and vomiting).
How does Enterobacteriaceae get under our nails?
- Poor personal hygiene
- Poor toilet hygiene
- Animal contact
- Handling raw meats
- Diaper changing
Drinking water from dug wells and public water sources is tested for Enterobacteriaceae. If these organisms are found, the water should not be used for drinking unless it is boiled or treated in some way to kill contaminating organisms.
How do we prevent potentially infectious organisms from congregating under our nails?
Keep your nails cut short.
Do not wear artificial fingernails.
Wash your hands thoroughly before:
- eating,
- using the restroom,
- rubbing your eyes,
- putting on eye makeup,
- attending to a wound,
- removing food from a tooth (don't pretend you've never done it!),
- preparing food,
- changing a diaper,
- wiping a nose,
- performing personal care,
- providing personal care to another.
Wash your hands thoroughly after:
- using the restroom,
- digging at a tooth,
- wiping a nose (yours or someone else’s),
- preparing food,
- handling a pet,
- changing a diaper,
- providing personal care,
- providing personal care to another.
Read more about fingernail hygiene and gastrointestinal illness:
Fingernail Length and Microbes
Source:
Aston University (Don't Mind If I Chew? Stressed Out Brits Swap Smoking for Nail Biting)
