What is Chloronychia, or nail greenies? And how can you handle it.

Good Morning! Hello and salutations! Today I wanted to go over a topic that we all know about, have seen, or may have even encountered, *raises hand*. You might know them as nail greenies, but they are called Chloronychia. This is something found on nails and is something hopefully we can avoid, but let’s take a look into it more shall we. Let’s discover what it is, and what can we do if we run into it.

So first, what is Chloronychia? Well, Chloronychia, also known by the scientific name, Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, is a condition in which blue-ish green pigment is found on the nail plate. This pigment is brought on by bacteria. Chloronychia forms when the nail plate has been exposed to moisture. This condition is NOT mold, but it is capable of becoming an infection if left exposed and untreated. I would also like to add this kind of bacteria can be found anywhere. It can be found in sources of water, the air, homes, and salons. So that means this type of infection can be exposed to anyone and transmitted. So it is vital we keep our salons very clean and disinfected to stop the spread of illness or disease, or even bacteria! And remember to always sanitize and disinfect your tools and stations as recommended.

Ready for a science lesson? The blue-ish green color is brought on by pyocyanin, which is a compound released by the bacteria, it has the ability to oxidize and can be toxic. That means it’s not just a spot left on the nail, it’s a toxic piece left over by bacteria that was located on the nail plate. Remember this is bacteria, which thrives in dark, warm, oxygenated environments. Exposing it to air will not kill it.

So what should you do when your client comes back with Chloronychia? How do you move forward?

• Step 1, Remove all cosmetics and nail products from the nail.
• Step 2, Recommend your client uses antiseptics.
• Step 3, Allow your clients to grow their nails out so that the stain is grown out.
• Step 4, Do not place nail products on the nail until the Chloronychia has grown out.

Now here are recommendations from a chemist on what you can do when a client has a “greenie”.

• Take a paper or plastic film, and place it widespread on your table to avoid infectious spread.
• While wearing gloves take a nail file and gently file away the stain, all of it will not be removed.
• After filing, cleanse the nail with isopropyl alcohol and throw away all the debridement and materials.
• Be sure to properly sanitize and disinfect all surfaces, tools, and materials.

While this can be very formal and informative, remember to always take seriousness to these occurrences. It is your responsibility as a nail tech to always stay informed and be able to spot these when they come. Also being able to comfort your client and keep them calm when they happen. The more you stay up to date, the better you will be as an amazing nail tech. I hope you all truly enjoyed this article. It took a lot of research yet was so much fun to write as well. Until next time, stay tuned for more sweets!

Credit: Vitaly Solomonoff