How does nail polish affect the readings of a pulse oximeter

It has long been a confusion among users of pulse oximeter devices about the fact that nail polish affects the actual readings of the device. The way to really answer this is actually to look at how a pulse oximeter actually functions. Essentially the device works by utilizing an infrared light that passes through the skin of the person’s finger who is using the device. That light goes through the skin and actually has a different response depending on the hemoglobin that is present in the tissue. Essentially hemoglobin is what makes up the blood and it absorbs light at a different frequency than other types of systems in the blood. As such the light that passes through the finger bounces off that system and the other part of the light passes through the finger. This in turn will give the reading of the pulse rate and the blood oxygen saturation. When nail polish is used and then a pulse oximeter device is used what happens is that the nail polish in essence blocks the infrared light from passing through the finger. So what this means is that the computer that is in the oximeter will not be able to compute properly the percentage of light that passed through and the percentage of light that actually came back to the device. It is often times recommended that individuals not wear nail polish when they are going to use the product. This is good practice because you will be able to get the most amount of accuracy from the product. So if you are wearing some go ahead and remove it temporarily and begin to use your product. You will notice that the readings will start to look much more normal and within line than they looked previously when you had it on your finger. A pulse oximeter works quite effectively to measure the pulse rate as well as the blood oxygen saturation of an individual The device is only a fraction of the size of a typical cell phone and thus it is extremely portable. It also is very accurate and instantly gives a reading of the oxygen saturation as well as pulse rate within seconds. By inserting your finger inside the portable device an infrared light passes through you finger. Hemoglobin absorbs light at different frequencies and as such the infrared light that goes through the finger bounces back to the oximeter device computer with a number that represents the oxygen levels of the body. This number means the world to people who live with conditions that require accurate monitoring of the oxygen levels in the body. Oximeter devices continue to break ground not only in the hospital setting but also the home setting as well. No longer do individuals need to be at their physician’s office or a hospital in order to take advantage of such a device to monitor their health. The newest generations of devices are not only extremely small and portable but they also are extremely affordable. So individuals living with various health conditions that are necessary to measure their oxygen levels can now use the device in the comfort of their home without ever having to worry about not monitoring their health on a continuous basis. The portability also allows them to take the device wherever they desire to go.