Dermatologist in Taiwan warns of green nail syndrome risk — Taipei Times
In Taiwan, prolonged use of regular or gel nail polish, as well as artificial nails, can create a warm and humid environment under the nail for bacteria to multiply and cause the so-called green nail syndrome. Dermatologist Wu Renqing told Taipei Times about this.
How the nail color changes
According to the doctor, prolonged coating use can cause the nail to separate from the nail bed, a condition known as onycholysis. Moisture accumulates in the resulting gap, and bacteria can infect the area and produce pigments. As a result, the nail takes on a grayish-green shade.
Wu Renqing noted that this color does not necessarily indicate a fungal infection. One patient who regularly used gel polish noticed a color change in one nail after removing the coating. The patient did not know how long it had been present and sought medical help. According to the dermatologist, the symptoms were not noticeable because of the coating.
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Treatment and prevention
For treatment, the doctor advises keeping nails dry and not using nail polish or artificial nails. The part of the nail separated from the nail bed should be trimmed to reduce the space where bacteria can accumulate.
Topical antibacterial treatment may also be needed, including against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which the doctor called a common cause of green nail syndrome. If there is also a fungal infection, it should be treated as well to prevent the problem from recurring. The discoloration may not disappear immediately: the affected part must grow out naturally, which can take several months. The dermatologist advised people who regularly get manicures to periodically give their nails a rest.
