Excessive Nail Trimming Could Harm Your Health, Study Shows

Trimming your fingernails or toneails too often can also damage physical health, according to recent findings published in the journal Physical Biology. Researchers at the University of Nottingham University found that daily nail trimmings could actually lead to nail problems.

"It is remarkable what some people are willing to do to make their nails look good, and it is in this context that I decided to look at what we really know about nails. Reading the scientific literature on nails I quickly realized that very little physics or math had been applied to nails and their conditions," said lead study author, Cyril Rauch, via Medical Xpress.

For the study, researchers used multiple equations to estimate how the physical force of different kinds of trimmings affected the nails by specifically focusing on ingrown toenails.

They examined how the nails adhere to the nail bed through microscopic strugures and how they slide forward and grow.

Findings revealed that when people tried to cut or trim their nails daily, the clipper placed stress on the nail that could cause the nail to grow to fast or slowly. Furthermore, it could also affect the adhesive of the structure.

"Looking at our results, we suggest that nail beauty fanatics who trim their nails on a daily basis opt for straight or parabolic edges, as otherwise they may amplify the imbalance of stresses which could lead to a number of serious conditions," Rauch added.

The researchers also noted that their findings could help prevent painful ingrown nail problems. The team also believes that their research can benefit farm animals, such as sheep, horses and ponies that suffer from a lot of hoof problems.

"I believe that physics can make a difference by promoting a new type of evidence-based veterinary medicine and help the veterinary and farrier communities by devising trimming methods to alleviate pain and potentially remove the cause of serious conditions," Rauch concluded.