
Bleach is a harsh chemical that can damage the skin and nails, potentially causing harm to the entire toe. Nail damage from bleach will vary in severity depending on multiple factors including the length of bleach application. Chemical burns are more severe the longer the chemical is in contact with the skin. If the bleach is completely pure, it will cause the most severe damage. If any bleach comes into contact with your skin, to minimize the damage you should immediately rinse off any bleach for at least 5 minutes or longer with running water.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Nail damage from bleach | Can be very serious, potentially causing harm to the entire toe. This includes the skin around the toenail and the toenail itself. |
Types of nail damage | Chemical burns on the skin. |
Factors affecting severity | Length of bleach application. Pure bleach will cause the most severe damage. |
Prevention | Rinse off any bleach for at least 5 minutes or longer with running water. |
Treatment | Clear nail polish to mask the discoloration or cuticle oil to restore moisture to the nail tissue. |
Risks | Increased risk for fungal infections because it can damage the skin and nails. |
Other risks | Breathing in concentrated bleach fumes can also damage your lungs. |
What You'll Learn
Nail damage from bleach can be very serious
According to an article in the Asian Journal of Research in Dermatological Science, the use of topical bleach can increase the risks for fungal infections because it can damage the skin and nails. This allows opportunistic fungus to come in through the damaged skin or nail and cause an infection. Never apply concentrated (undiluted) bleach to the skin. It can create a painful chemical burn that may require medical attention. Breathing in concentrated bleach fumes can also damage your lungs.
By exposing your hands to bleach daily, you are literally breaking it apart at the cellular level. Just covering up your wrecked nails with fake ones won't change that fact. And the physical abrasion and chemicals used with fake nails will just wreck them even more. Gel nails would be ideal since gel isn't porous. That way they won't be eaten away at slowly. Acrylic is quite porous so you would probably have a problem with them getting eaten away or lifting before you got them filled.
If your nails are discolored (chalky and white) as a result of bleach exposure, try using a clear nail polish to mask the discoloration or cuticle oil to help restore moisture to the nail tissue.
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Chemical burns from bleach can be painful
Nail damage from bleach can be very serious, potentially causing harm to the entire toe. This includes the skin around the toenail and the toenail itself. Typically, damage to the toe can show up as a chemical burn on the skin. Chemical burns from the surface of the skin are exposed to corrosive and dangerous chemicals. Bleach is sometimes recommended as an at-home treatment for toenail fungus. However, treatments of this nature are typically very ineffective. They are ineffective because they don’t utilize properly researched medicines or techniques and aren’t done by medical professionals. All at-home treatments for toenail fungus are going to have very little effect.
Nail damage from bleach will vary in severity depending on multiple factors including the length of bleach application. Chemical burns are more severe the longer the chemical is in contact with the skin. If the bleach is completely pure, it will cause the most severe damage. If any bleach comes into contact with your skin, to minimize the damage you should immediately rinse off any bleach for at least 5 minutes or longer with running water.
According to an article in the Asian Journal of Research in Dermatological Science, use of topical bleach can increase the risks for fungal infections because it can damage the skin and nails. This allows opportunistic fungus to come in through the damaged skin or nail and cause an infection. Never apply concentrated (undiluted) bleach to the skin. It can create a painful chemical burn that may require medical attention. Breathing in concentrated bleach fumes can also damage your lungs. If you do get bleach accidentally on your skin, quickly rinse the bleach away with water. Bleach baths are an approach dermatologists may recommend for treating skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis and recurrent Staphylococcus infections on the skin.
By exposing your hands to bleach daily, you are literally breaking it apart at the cellular level. Just covering up your wrecked nails with fake ones won't change that fact. And the physical abrasion and chemicals used with fake nails will just wreck them even more. I don't mean to lecture, just want you to be able to heal your skin. ... Bring your own gloves to work. You should not be sticking your hands in bleach. ... Gel nails would be ideal since gel isn't porous. That way they won't be eaten away at slowly. Acrylic is quite porous so you would probably have a problem with them getting eaten away or lifting before you got them filled.
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Bleach exposure can cause discolouration of nails
Nail damage from bleach can be very serious, potentially causing harm to the entire toe. This includes the skin around the toenail and the toenail itself. Typically, damage to the toe can show up as a chemical burn on the skin. Chemical burns from the surface of the skin are exposed to corrosive and dangerous chemicals. Bleach is sometimes recommended as an at-home treatment for toenail fungus. However, treatments of this nature are typically very ineffective. They are ineffective because they don’t utilize properly researched medicines or techniques and aren’t done by medical professionals. All at-home treatments for toenail fungus are going to have very little effect.
According to an article in the Asian Journal of Research in Dermatological Science, use of topical bleach can increase the risks for fungal infections because it can damage the skin and nails. This allows opportunistic fungus to come in through the damaged skin or nail and cause an infection. Never apply concentrated (undiluted) bleach to the skin. It can create a painful chemical burn that may require medical attention. Breathing in concentrated bleach fumes can also damage your lungs. If you do get bleach accidentally on your skin, quickly rinse the bleach away with water. Bleach baths are an approach dermatologists may recommend for treating skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis and recurrent Staphylococcus infections on the skin.
By exposing your hands to bleach daily, you are literally breaking it apart at the cellular level. Just covering up your wrecked nails with fake ones won't change that fact. And the physical abrasion and chemicals used with fake nails will just wreck them even more. I don't mean to lecture, just want you to be able to heal your skin. ... Bring your own gloves to work. You should not be sticking your hands in bleach. ... Gel nails would be ideal since gel isn't porous. That way they won't be eaten away at slowly. Acrylic is quite porous so you would probably have a problem with them getting eaten away or lifting before you got them filled.
If your nails are discolored (chalky and white) as a result of bleach exposure, try using a clear nail polish to mask the discoloration or cuticle oil to help restore moisture to the nail tissue.
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Bleach baths are an approach dermatologists may recommend
Bleach is a harsh chemical that can cause a lot of harm when used on the skin. Nail damage from bleach will vary in severity depending on multiple factors including the length of bleach application. Chemical burns are more severe the longer the chemical is in contact with the skin. If the bleach is completely pure, it will cause the most severe damage. If any bleach comes into contact with your skin, to minimize the damage you should immediately rinse off any bleach for at least 5 minutes or longer with running water.
According to an article in the Asian Journal of Research in Dermatological Science, use of topical bleach can increase the risks for fungal infections because it can damage the skin and nails. This allows opportunistic fungus to come in through the damaged skin or nail and cause an infection. Never apply concentrated (undiluted) bleach to the skin. It can create a painful chemical burn that may require medical attention. Breathing in concentrated bleach fumes can also damage your lungs.
If your nails are discolored (chalky and white) as a result of bleach exposure, try using a clear nail polish to mask the discoloration or cuticle oil to help restore moisture to the nail tissue. Nail damage from bleach can be very serious, potentially causing harm to the entire toe. This includes the skin around the toenail and the toenail itself. Typically, damage to the toe can show up as a chemical burn on the skin. Chemical burns from the surface of the skin are exposed to corrosive and dangerous chemicals. Bleach is sometimes recommended as an at-home treatment for toenail fungus. However, treatments of this nature are typically very ineffective. They are ineffective because they don’t utilize properly researched medicines or techniques and aren’t done by medical professionals. All at-home treatments for toenail fungus are going to have very little effect.
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Breathing in bleach fumes can damage your lungs
Short exposure to chlorine is unlikely to cause long-term health problems. Symptoms generally resolve within 7 to 14 days and most people recover completely. However, symptoms and lung issues could persist if you’ve been more seriously exposed. It's possible for people to develop asthma or reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS), a similar condition that causes chronic cough, shortness of breath, and breathing problems.
If you’re exposed to chlorine, the first thing you should do is get away from the area and breathe fresh air. If chlorine is released indoors, it’s a good idea to open windows and doors to let in fresh air and leave the area until the air is clear.
Never apply concentrated (undiluted) bleach to the skin. It can create a painful chemical burn that may require medical attention. If you do get bleach accidentally on your skin, quickly rinse the bleach away with water.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, bleach can damage the skin and nails, potentially causing harm to the entire toe. This includes the skin around the toenail and the toenail itself. Typically, damage to the toe can show up as a chemical burn on the skin.
Nail damage from bleach will vary in severity depending on multiple factors including the length of bleach application. Chemical burns are more severe the longer the chemical is in contact with the skin. If the bleach is completely pure, it will cause the most severe damage.
By exposing your hands to bleach daily, you are literally breaking it apart at the cellular level. Nail damage from bleach can be very serious, potentially causing harm to the entire toe. This includes the skin around the toenail and the toenail itself. Typically, damage to the toe can show up as a chemical burn on the skin.
If you do get bleach accidentally on your skin, quickly rinse the bleach away with water. Never apply concentrated (undiluted) bleach to the skin. It can create a painful chemical burn that may require medical attention.