False Nails: The Health Risks You’re Not Aware Of

Photo credit: Shutterstock Wearing false nails has become a major trend, thanks to colorful, affordable capsules that offer a personalized touch and a polished finish right down to your fingertips. However, an English audiologist now sounds the alarm: false nails could expose you to an unexpected danger of hearing damage. The Everyday Gesture That Becomes Risky with False Nails You might wonder: what do your nails have to do with your hearing? The link is surprisingly straightforward. As soon as you scratch your ear with a long, sharp nail, especially since false nails make it easier, you risk damaging delicate tissues. Touching your ear with false nails can lead to bacterial infections, warns audiologist Hannah Samuels of Boots Hearingcare, speaking in several British media outlets. “Long or false acrylic nails can be the worst culprits when it comes to bacteria transfer, as they provide more surface area for bacteria and fungus to build up (than short nails).” Moreover, “long and sharp” nails can cause tiny abrasions inside the ear canal. “These tiny cuts then become entry points for bacteria or fungi, increasing the risk of infection,” she explains. Infections and Tinnitus: A Serious Risk Once bacteria or fungi enter through these micro-cuts, they can cause swelling of the Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the throat. This swelling may result in fluid and earwax buildup, leading to temporary hearing loss and even tinnitus. As a reminder, in France, tinnitus affects approximately 16 million people. Between 4 and 7 million French individuals experience it constantly, while about 4.9 million suffer from severe or catastrophic symptoms, according to a survey by IFOP-JNA. Some endure a “debilitating” form of tinnitus that disrupts sleep and work. Alarmingly, no fully effective treatment exists yet. How to Clean Your Ears Safely Instead of using your nails, consider safer alternatives to clean your ears. Experts advise washing the outer ear gently with soap and warm water during a shower or bath. “For a more thorough clean, use a damp washcloth to gently wipe the outer ear,” suggests Hannah Samuels. “This can help soften the earwax, allowing it to move naturally toward the ear opening as part of the self-cleaning process.” A simple, regular hygiene routine is usually enough to maintain ear health. Other Health Risks Linked to False Nails Importantly, this is not the first time false nails have been linked to health hazards. Back in 2021 and 2023, various authorities flagged risks associated with false nails, from harmful adhesives to UV lamp exposure. For instance, Anses (Agence nationale de sécurité sanitaire de l’alimentation, de l’environnement et du travail) warned about burn risks: “Contact between the glue and fabric, especially cotton or wool, triggers a chemical reaction that releases intense heat instantly. Moreover, the glue’s high fluidity spreads through the fabric, increasing the surface area of burns,” the agency reported. These accidents can affect not only the fingers but also the face and other body parts touched afterward. Even more concerning, a 2023 study raised alarms about cancer risks linked to gel nails and the UV lamps used to cure them. In a press release issued on April 28, 2023, the Académie de Médecine emphasized that “these lamps emit UVA rays, which penetrate deep into the skin and are known to promote aging and skin cancers.” The International Agency for Research on Cancer has already classified UVA rays as Group 1 carcinogens. Sources “Expert Issues Urgent Infection Warning to Women with Fake Nails – Key Mistake Could Leave You with Life-Wrecking Condition,” Daily Mail, April 9, 2025. “Burns, Cancer… False Nails Pose Real Risks to Your Health,” Doctissimo, April 16, 2024. Zhivagui, M., Hoda, A., Valenzuela, N. et al. DNA Damage and Somatic Mutations in Mammalian Cells After Irradiation with a Nail Polish Dryer. Nature Communications, 14, 276 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-35876-8 “Shiny Nails, but Not Without Risk!” – Press release from the Academy of Medicine, April 28, 2023. https://www.academie-medecine.fr/des-ongles-brillants-mais-pas-sans-risque/ **Méconnus Mais Bien Réels, Ces Dangers Des Faux Ongles Inquiètent Les Médecins** This article first appeared on doctissimo.fr – Author: Magali Régnier

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