Who do you think would have the most germs under their fingernails?

a. Someone with long nails
b. Someone with short nails
c. Nail biters

Surprisingly, the answer is b.

You might think that long nails afford the most area for germs or that nailbiters might have germs transferred to the nail from the mouth, but the germ count on both was lower than short nails. Short cropped nails harbor the most germs, long nails harbor much fewer but nailbiters have the fewest of all.

A student at Academic Magnet High School, Jamie Yohn, mentored by faculty members at the Medical University of South Carolina, gathered samples from 30 fellow students for a science fair project. She also surveyed the participants on their hygiene habits. As you might expect, the students who washed their hands frequently had the fewest germs. The most common organism found under nails was staphylococcus.

Andrew Annand, D.O., medical director of Kidney and Pancreas Transplantation at MUSC, said that nail biters may have had the fewest germs under their nails, but that may be because they are simply ingesting them instead. That means that no one is recommending that people bite their nails as a hygiene measure.

Whether your nails are long or short, wash hands frequently and use a hand sanitizer when you can’t access soap and water. Remember that your hands come into contact with dozens of surfaces in the course of a day and you don’t know what organisms may be lingering on your hands from that contact. Above all, never bite nails - you don’t know what germs you may be ingesting.

Nail-biters May Have ‘cleaner’ Nails, But Ingest More Germs

Winter nails have never been easier to make beautiful. Dry and chapping skin is always a problem this time of year and hangnails multiply in spite of generous and frequent applications of hand lotion.

Avon’s Nail Experts Mira-Cuticle Vanishing Complex will keep cuticles soft and healthy while preventing buildup. This special moisturizing lotion contains both Vitamins A and E to nourish cuticles while banishing dryness and chapping. It truly is a miracle for cuticles.

And for the finishing touch in a fraction of the time it normally takes, try Avon’s Speed Dry nail enamel. Right now Avon is offering four new shades for a limited time only: Cherry Sensation, Chic Pink, Striking Pink and Velvet Berry.

For most of us, the total of our hand care is some hand lotion rubbed in once or twice a day when we think of it, or worse, when our hands start to feel dry and itchy. If you wait too long, the skin will crack or be easily broken. The loveliest manicure won’t be enough to draw attention away from flaky dry knuckles and red, angry-looking skin.

The solution? Treat your hands once or twice a week to a total skin treatment. First wet your hands and use your favorite body scrub to exfoliate. Rinse and wash hands with a mild lotion cleanser - borrow your facial cleanser for this purpose; facial cleansers are gentle and moisturizing. Then follow with a protective hand lotion, one that forms a moisture barrier. Your hands will be soft, smooth and silky.

You will love the feeling so much, you will adopt this “facial” for your hands as part of your weekly routine skin care.

It is estimated that about 20% of the population has brittle nails. You know, those nails that won’t grow long because they are always splitting and tearing at the edge or because they are too weak and thin. Rarely, this can be caused by a medical condition or malnutrition but most often it is simply dehydration of the nails caused by frequent hand-washing, chemicals and even just a dry environment.

Surprisingly, the application of nail enamel is one way to combat the condition because it seals the nail, preventing further dehydration. Unfortunately, nail polish remover is one of the most drying things you can use on nails, so you don’t want to use remover more than once a week.

In medical studies, Biotin, one of the B-complex vitamins has been shown to strengthen nails and decrease brittleness and splitting. This discovery was made originally by veterinarians, who used Biotin supplements to cure hoof problems in horses and make them harder. However, the amounts used in the study far exceed the recommended daily allowance. The best thing you can do for your nails is to eat a healthy and balanced diet. Medical experts all agree that deficiencies in dietary nutrition can affect the health and growth of fingernails.

If you suffer from brittle nails, keep them short. Avoid excessive exposure of the nails to harsh household chemicals and too-frequent hand-washing. Keep your hands and nails moisturized, soak the nails once a week in a hot oil treatment designed for that purpose and wear nail polish to seal in the moisture. A good choice is Sally Hansen’s Hard as Nails. In time you will grow longer, stronger nails that won’t split and tear.