Fungus On Nail Clippers
Fungal nail infections are the leading cause of nail discoloration, crack, and breakage. It is more common to infect toenails than fingernails.
Even the smallest crack in your nails can allow these germs to enter your nail and destroy it.
How Do You Get Rid Of Fungus On Nail Clippers? The fungus can stick to nail clippers when uncleansed or used by someone who has an occurring nail fungus or “onychomycosis.” One way to get rid of this germ is to sterilize or disinfect nail clippers. But then again, prevention is better than cure.
Read More At: What Are The Best Baby Nail Clippers?
As you read below, you will know how to eliminate fungus on your nail clippers. I will also discuss how to prevent fungus buildup.
Transmission Of Fungus
Different types of fungi cause fungal nail infections. They thrive in places and environments wherein cleaning is not thoroughly done. They hold onto things and infect people who have a crack on their nails or the surrounding skin.
People can get infected by this fungus regardless of their age. People who have diabetes, nail injury, an athlete’s foot, and blood circulation problems can easily get the infection.
Also, people with diabetes and a weakened immune system are susceptible to get nail infections.
Getting Rid Of Fungus
Getting rid of the fungus in nail clippers takes time and effort. Following a hygienic routine is a big part of preventing and getting rid of your nail instruments’ fungus.
Reminder, wear protective gloves upon performing the following methods.
Hot Water And Alcohol
1. Hot Water
Start sterilization by washing the nail instruments with hot water and letting them sit for 5-10 minutes.
You can use a toothbrush or other scrubs to scrub off the remaining bacteria.
2. Alcohol
After the 1st step, grab a paper towel and soak it in alcohol. Rub the soaked towel down the nail clippers.
Use another set of towels to dry the clippers.
UV Lights
UV lights are recognized as a great tool to disinfect things. Forty-five minutes under UV exposure and goodbye to microbes in the nail clippers.
Bleach
Bleach is also a great disinfectant. I suggest soaking the nail tools in bleach after every use to kill whatever bacteria or germs buildup.
Symptoms Of Fungal Infection
- Thick nails
- Cracked nails
- Discolored nails (brown, white, or yellow)
Fungal nail infections aren’t as painful as they look. However, serious consequences will follow when left untreated. Fungal infections can also lead to fungal skin infections on foot.
Treatment For Fungal Infection
Once you get a fungal infection, treating it will be difficult, costly, and won’t easily go away.
Once you notice an occurring fungal infection, immediately consult your doctor. A long overdue fungal infection will lead to complete nail removal.
It will take up months to a year to treat nail fungal infection. So to prevent this from happening, practice hygiene, and take precautions.
Diagnosis
Fungal infection, or known as “onychomycosis,” is diagnosed by visual inspection. Some tests, however, include Microscopy and Culture.
Microscopy is a common method used because it is cheaper and easier to perform. Scrapings from your infected nails are placed in a drop of KOH and get examined under a microscope.
A fungal culture is a method to identify infecting organisms on Sabouraud’s medium or dermatophyte test medium.
Nail Hygiene
Trimming fingernails is a part of your overall hygiene. Untrimmed nails harbor dirt and harmful germs contributing to multiple infections and problems.
Fingernails should be kept short, and the tools used should be regularly cleaned and stored correctly.
Before grooming your nails, ensure that all of the tools you will be using are properly cleaned.
In cases that other people use the nail tools, sterilize and disinfect them first. Take extra measures when going to nail salons; provide your tools if you must.
Tips On Preventing Nail Infections
- Clip a ripped hangnail with a sanitized nail trimmer.
- When washing your hands, include scrubbing the underside of your nails with water and soap.
- Regularly trim your nails and keep them short.
- When going to nail salons, make sure that grooming tools have been sterilized.
- Disinfect your grooming tools after use.
- Do not chew or bite your nails.
- Cuticles are your nails’ barrier from infection; avoid cutting them.
How To Avoid Spreading Nail Fungus
Fungal toenails are not as contagious as flu or cold, but it is transmitted from person to person using things.
It is critical not to share things with your friends or even with your family.
- Antifungal powders or spray. Use these antifungals to your shoes regardless if you have the infection or not.
- No sharing of clothes. Fungi thrive in damp clothing. Whether you have fungi or not, do not share clothes with other people.
- Do not reuse towels. Microbes cling to fabric and transfer to other nails or other parts of your skin with or without an open wound.
- Disinfect bathroom after every use. Aside from clothing, fungi can also stick on hard surfaces. For extra safety, use shower shoes.
These steps can help protect you or the people around you from fungi transmission.
Practicing overall hygiene is the best way to avoid and prevent all kinds of infections.
Home Remedies For Fungal Infections
Some people react to anti-fungal pills. Thus they resort to home remedies in treating fungal nail infections.
Below are some of the widely practiced and proven home remedies.
1. Garlic
Garlic is not only useful in the kitchen, but to our health, too. It may help tear toenail infections.
The study showed that garlic extract is a powerful antifungal.
Chop cloves of garlic and apply them to the affected area. But, do not use too much as this can cause a chemical burn on the skin.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
Vinegar is also used in the kitchen but found in some home cleaning solutions. The ratio should be 2-1 of water to vinegar.
Water should be warm. Pour the solution into a bowl and soak your toes for 5-10 minutes.
3. Ozonated Oils
The ozonated oils are infused with ozone gas. It shows an effect similar to the traditional medication terbinafine cream that treats a specific type of fungus. Apply the ozonated oil to the affected nail 2x a day for 90 days.
Conclusion
Prevention is better than cure—regularly clean nail tools to avoid fungus buildup and transmission.
As soon as you notice fungal infections, alert your doctor, or do home remedies.
