varnish on toenails when having GA

[MargaretMountford]

do you have to remove nail varnish on your toes if you are going under general anaesthetic ?

Yes. Something to do with them being able to check the colour of your nailbeds as an indicator of oxygen levels, iirc.

that's what I thought..thanks...will have to buff my nails instead !

I expect so. When they whizzed me in for an em cs with a just a spinal block they took off my toe polish in 20 seconds flat. I was gutted as it had taken me ages to do them with a bump in the way .

!

could I get away with a coat of clear ? I want to feel a bit smart as it's undignified enough as it is !

get a grip woman

Vanity just has to go out of the window where surgury is concerned - think how lovely you'll look in those most attractive surgical stockings .

(but I think you can get away with clear -- at least, that's what we were told about emergency c-sections when I was pregnant with DS)

They probably won't worry about clear. I doubt they'd examine them that close.

I had not very subtle hot pink toe nails before my em cs, couldn't really hide them could I?

When I had a GA a few years ago I was told varnish on toes was fine just not on fingers as they put the pulse oxymeter thingy on your finger.
I also had varnish on my toes during my ems c-sec come to think of it.

Normally they don't want varnish on toenails because this would make it difficult to do 'capillary refill' checks. This can be an early indicator of shock.

I'll ask to be sure, but thanks !

i was told the same as diedandgonetodevon

blonde ALWAYS has painted toes

i did have to take my finger polish off though

had a beautiful french manicure

I always have painted toes too...I feel scruffy without

I was told to remove all make up inc nail polish prior to having a GA.

Yes, remove all nail polish because its necessary to monitor oxygenation in the extremities quickly. Nail beds are naturally pink and if you press them they turn white then quickly go pink once you let go. If the return is slow it can indicate circulatory problems. Also the machine that measures this is attached to the toes or fingers depending on the most accessible limb for the anaesthetist.

I often put the oxygen saturation probe on people's toes as it gets in the way less especially during a LSCS when you will want to hold a baby and not doof them in the head with a bit of moulded plastic.

Therefore I would ask the ODP / anaesthetic nurse to remove your toe nail polish. Clear is fine.

Ive had 3 procedures and kept mine on.

I asked before I had my recent op and was told no fingernail polish because of the O2 sat probe but toenail polish was not a problem. When I had my op they put the ugliest lovely surgical green stockings on everyone (for warmth) anyway, so they'd never have been seen even if I hadn't asked.

ok...I've taken the red off and put on clear !

BTW good luck with your op! Wishing you a speedy recovery.

thank you !