Builder Gel Horror: Nails Turn Green, Smell Foul

Content creator Joanne Hardcastle recently endured a distressing experience after a builder gel manicure led to a severe nail infection. Initially seeking a routine nail refresh, she discovered a green tinge under her natural nail after a few weeks.

Upon removal, the extent of the infection became apparent: the nail had turned significantly greener, emitted a foul odor, and lifted from the nail bed. The surrounding skin was sore and blistered, making daily tasks difficult. Despite the salon's lack of explanation, Hardcastle sought medical advice, undergoing tests that ruled out fungal infections but suggested a bacterial cause.

Nail experts identify this as onycholysis, where the nail separates from the bed, creating a space for bacteria like Pseudomonas to thrive, causing the characteristic green discoloration, often termed 'greenies'. Recovery necessitated letting the natural nail grow out over two months, with Hardcastle vowing never to use brightly colored gels again.