Price of Pedicure May Include Viral Infections
Introduction
CHICAGO, April 12 /PRNewswire/
Carry your own nail tools to your pedicures to prevent infection
Salons and spas featuring nail services are rapidly growing into a
billion dollar industry. Because the cosmetics industry is not required
to adhere to the same sterilization regulations for the tools they use
as medical offices and hospitals, physicians are seeing an increase in
several transmissible diseases.
"Unfortunately, many cosmetologists remain uneducated about the dangers
of spreading disease and may unknowingly be jeopardizing the health of
their clients," said Dr. Carolyn L. Siegal, attending physician at
Cedars-Sinai.
During a pedicure small breaks in the skin can occur. When nail tools
such as cuticle pushers or nippers are used on these breaks, or on paper
cuts and other open areas in the skin, they can transfer blood and/or
bacteria from one customer to another, if the tools are not properly
sterilized between appointments.
"The medical community, as a whole, is treating more and more patients
for skin, nail and viral infections as a direct result of manicure and
pedicure services," said Dr. Siegal. "However, there are steps that can
be taken to prevent an uncomfortable and potentially painful experience
during and after a pedicure."
The following health risks are associated with nail salons.......
- Fungal infections such as athlete's foot
and yellow fungal nails.
- Bacterial infections such as Staphylococcus and
other organisms mandating oral antibiotic treatment.
- Viral infections including plantar warts
and even hepatitis B and C.
Dr. Siegal offers the following five considerations before putting your
toes into another person's care.
- Inquire into exactly how the spa cleans its tools. The preferred
system is autoclaving over the typical ultraviolet light system.
-
Carry your own tools. The best way to protect yourself is to purchase
your own nail kit and carry it with you to appointments. One such kit is
the
Dr. Carolyn Siegal's Savvy Nail Kit, Figure 1, which is available at many
upscale salons nationwide or directly through
www.FootAnkleStore.com. We also highly recommend that you take
your own tub liners, such as
Dr. Siegal’s Savvy Tub Liners, Figure 2. You can also use your nail kit at
home between appointments for easy maintenance.
Figure 1-Pedicure Kit
Figure 2 -
Tub Liner
- Check out the spa and look for signs of cleanliness. Are the work
surfaces clean and dry? Do the nail technicians wash their hands between
clients? Do the tubs use disposable liners? Larger tubs can harbor
bacteria in their filtration systems and should be avoided. Also, look
for the correct association and government licenses. These should be
clearly posted.
- Inform your nail technician about any cuts, medications or health
conditions you have that may affect your treatment. This is especially
important if you are on blood thinning medications, if you are diabetic
or have a communicable disease.
- Pay attention during and after the service. The service should never be
painful during or after the treatment. Monitor your toes and feet for
discolorations, sores or pain. If you do experience something unusual
with your nails or skin, make an appointment to see us in our Seattle
office.
To order a Safe Salon Pedicure Kit to ensure safe pedicures go to
www.FootAnkleStore.com.
Healthy feet allow for regular exercise and a
happy healthy feet. If you have foot or ankle problems, make an appointment to see us in our
Seattle office. We can provide you with conservative treatment options
that will relieve your pain.
All pages on this website © 2005-2010
Douglas Hale, DPM & Lawrence Huppin, DPM
Foot and Ankle Center of Washington, Seattle
The material provided on this web site is for informative purposes only.
If you need specific medical advice, please contact the office for an appointment.
|
