Cleaning under nails is part of good hand hygiene, but aggressive scraping can irritate the skin underneath. Start with ordinary soap and water and wash the fingertips carefully. A soft nail brush can help remove everyday dirt. Do not use pins, blades, or other sharp objects to dig under nails because they can injure the skin. Keeping nails at a manageable length also makes cleaning easier. If you use a nail brush or manicure tool, clean and dry it after use and avoid sharing personal tools without proper hygiene. If dirt, odor, pain, swelling, or unusual discoloration remains despite normal cleaning, seek professional advice rather than repeatedly scraping the area.
