Summer has finally arrived and it’s time to kick off our shoes and show off those feet. To keep them looking their best, we often head to the pedicurist/nail salon. But what is lurking in the salon, may end up making your feet look ugly. Bacterial and fungal infections are lurking among the sinks, surfaces and even the instruments. The consumer needs to beware of the practices a salon has before going for a service. The salons are often busy which means that they have a fast turnover rate. Moving fast can often equate with poor practices or no time to perform proper sterilization in their facility. They appear to be clean, but their practices can be dangerous. Most salons use a UV light, which is often not effective enough to destroy microorganisms. UV needs to be utilized for a certain period of time 15 minutes and often the cycle needs to be repeated twice in order for it to be effective. It often is bacteriostatic, which means it stops bacteria from reproducing, while not necessarily harming them otherwise. It is not considered bactericidal which means that it kills the bacteria in addition to preventing its replication. Additionally there is no proof that UV light can kill fungal or yeast organisms. Other organisms which often survive the UV sterilization process are Methicillin resistant staph aureus (MRSA) and the human papilloma virus (HPV). Community acquired MRSA is leading cause of hospitalizations and sometimes even death if treated too late or a person is immune compromised. HPV is the virus that causes plantar’s warts. Plantar’s warts are resilient infections that often require multiple office visits with painful treatments. Most of these infections can only be destroyed via an autoclave machine which reaches the highest temperatures effective enough to destroy these harmful bugs. If you absolutely must get a pedicure here are some guidelines for you to follow:
– always make sure that your skin is intact before scheduling your pedicure. Minor scrapes or bruising can lead to infection. Most of the fungus that gets transmitted to our nails, starts first with a skin infection that goes untreated. Most people mistake athlete’s foot for dry skin. So we figure we have a dry patch of skin so we turn to moisturizers. Fungus loves moisture, so we think we are doing a good thing and low and behold the cracks in your skin suddenly become worse.
-be certain that the salon is cleaning their sinks/ soaking tubs after each client with an antimicrobial agent which is bacteriocidal. You can always purchase your own foot bath and bring it to your visit or you can even soak your feet at home before going to the salon. Look for a salon that uses an autoclave or takes their instruments out of a sterilization package.
– bring your own set of instruments. The salons often carry new instruments for you to purchase or you can check your local beauty supply store. Purchase your own nail file, nail trimmer, pumice stone.
– If the salon is performing any callus trimming on you, your own pumice stone or callus shaver should be used. Avoid the salons callus shavers since they are never sterilized. Even a microcut can compromise your skin and leave you susceptible.
– inform the person treating you that you prefer not to have your cuticles cut and that “push back” of cuticles is best.
-avoid UV light to dry the polish and these gel pedicures. The UV light can lead to cancer. We know that UV light does have a negative effect on those bacterial cells. The same negative effect can happen to you skin cells.
– If you are immune compromised, diabetic or have poor circulation, you should never get a pedicure in a nail salon. Please consult your podiatrist for routine care.
– If worse comes to worse and you are still not sure, there is nothing wrong and less expensive with performing your own pedicures at home.
If you do notice any skin or nail changes, please visit your podiatrist sooner than later. Most of these infections, if caught early, have a fairly good cure rate. Knowledge is the best way to keep putting your best foot forward!
By Dr. Rosanna Troia
Dr. Troia is located on 41 West 72nd street and can be reached at 212 877 1002