A “Greenie” is something that many nail techs will come across during their career but what causes it and should we work over it?
A “greenie” on a nail is a term used to describe a green discolouration that can occur on or around a fingernail, usually as a result of a bacterial infection. The most common bacteria responsible for this is Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can thrive in moist environments. This condition is also referred to as “green nail syndrome.” Whilst greenies are generally not dangerous, they can become problematic if not appropriately treated. In general, greenies are more of an aesthetic issue rather than a health risk.
A greenie on a nail is typically associated with artificial nails or nail enhancements, such as acrylics or gels, where moisture gets trapped between the natural nail and the artificial product. This creates an ideal environment for bacteria to grow, leading to the greenish colouration. As well as occurring on top of the nail plate It can also occur under natural nails if there is a separation between the nail plate and the nail bed.
If you notice a greenie on a client’s nail, it’s essential to address it promptly, here are some steps you can take:
- Remove any existing artificial nails or gels to allow the nail to heal and to treat the infection effectively.
- Clean the nail and the surrounding area with an antiseptic solution, such as alcohol or a diluted vinegar solution.
- Allow the nail to air out and keep it dry.
- Use topical antibacterial treatments if recommended by a DR or pharmacist
The question remains… Can I put nail enhancements on a client presenting with a Pseudomonas infection?
Best practice would dictate that you avoid applying products to the affected nail (s) for the following reasons:
- Delayed healing: Covering the infection may delay the healing process as the nail should be kept clean and dry
- Trapped moisture: The infection thrives in moisture and applying gel on top of the infection can trap the moisture in and allow the infection to flourish.
- Spreading of the infection: This is probably the point that is most important when it comes to applying products over a greenie, pseudomonas are infections. What this means is that you, for example, apply a gel over the top of a greenie and place the brush back into the bottle of gel, not only can you spread the infection to the other nails but the bottle of gel has now been contaminated and you could spread the infection to other clients.