For many women and men, going to a salon to get a pedicure is a great way to relax, feel pampered and walk away with elegant toes. However, if the pedicure is unsanitary, customers might leave the salon with more than just a few coats of nail polish on their toes. \nBacterial and fungal infections can be easily transmitted through contaminated utensils commonly used during pedicures, said podiatrists and nail technicians in Bloomington. As tests and papers start piling up, students start looking for ways to relax. If they decide to get a pedicure, local doctors advise students to be cautious and educated about the risks.
CULPRITS\nBacterial and fungal infections occurring after a pedicure can be caused by a number of different things. \n"Infections can happen because the instrument wasn't sanitized correctly or the tub that someone's feet soaked in wasn't cleaned properly," said Julie Roberts, owner of the Studio 6 salon, 203 N. Morton St.. "If someone is cut during a pedicure and it is not handled properly, infections could be transmitted that way as well." \nSenior Ashley Berlin, who often gets pedicures to relax, said she makes sure there are no nail clippings or sandings lying around the salon when she gets a pedicure. \n"Another big thing I check is the tubs that are connected to the seats they do the pedicures in, because I heard that bacteria that live in the jets can cause nail fungus," she said. \nIn salons, tubs or whirlpool foot baths are used for people to soak their feet prior to the pedicure.\n"The whirlpool tubs that are connected to the chairs that people sit in during their pedicure are sometimes difficult to clean," said Roberts. "It's very important to make sure that those tubs are cleaned properly after every single pedicure. We scrub them to remove any skin or bacteria that might be in there."\nAdditionally, equipment that is not cleaned properly can lead to infections, Roberts said. All equipment used during a pedicure must be sanitized after each use. \n"If someone were to come in to get a pedicure that had fungus on their feet, we would throw away the utensils and never use them again," said Roberts. "There have been times when we have told people to visit their podiatrist before we will give them a pedicure to make sure they will not transmit any kind of fungus or bacteria."
INFECTION\nUnfortunately, doctors say the first signs of an infection aren't always apparent soon after the pedicure. \n"Most of the time an infection from a pedicure is caused by contaminated instruments. This could lead to a nail fungus and those are very slow to progress," said Roxanne Kerr, a medical assistant at the Bloomington Podiatry Centre. "Some of the symptoms of a fungus infection will be that the skin is very sore and red around the nail. If broken skin was infected during the pedicure it may become pussy." \nFungal infections are also slow to treat, said Matthew Parmenter, a podiatrist at the Foot and Ankle Center. \n"Fungal infections are very difficult to get rid of," he said. "It can take two to three months to get rid of an infection."\nAlthough it is rare, infections can return years after they were contracted. The best way to ensure that they don't persist is to aggressively treat the infection, Kerr said. \nUnfortunately, the treatment can be a frustrating process. \n"Fungus infections are treatable, but not likely to clear up because they are caused by a virus," said Kerr. "There are anti-fungal medications out there, but they are extremely expensive. They can cost between $500 and $700." \nThere are also a variety of medicines that specifically treat bacterial infections. Because these infections are not caused by a virus, they are usually easier to treat, Kerr said.
PROTECTION\nOne of the ways some people try to avoid catching an infection is by bringing in their own instruments for pedicures. \n"I don't currently bring in my own instruments, but I definitely would. It would make me feel a lot more comfortable knowing that the equipment I bring has touched my feet and my feet only," Berlin said.\nHowever, if people bring in their own equipment, it can also lead to cross-contamination inside salons. Cross-contamination occurs when bacteria, for example, is spread from one instrument to another. If this bacteria reaches the salon's instruments, they could become contaminated without anyone realizing it has happened.\n"You can bring in your own utensils for a pedicure, but we will return them to you after the pedicure," Roberts said. "The state regulates us and does not like us to keep the implements at the salon because cross-contamination can occur." \nOther ways that people can protect their skin and nails is by making sure the salon they visit is a clean facility, the tub or whirlpool has been cleaned properly and a razor is never used during the pedicure. Salons have been banned from using razors during pedicures because they can cut a person's skin and spread infections. \n"Make sure the salon you visit is licensed. Most have their license somewhere on display in the salon," said Kevin Nguyen, the owner of Nikki Nails, 3366 W. Third St. "Otherwise, take a good look around to make sure the place is clean and they are cleaning their equipment."\nAlthough being cautious and educated about how to receive a safe pedicure is important, there really is no way to be sure an unwanted infection won't be picked up during a pedicure. \nHowever, Berlin isn't letting that come between her and a great looking pedicure.\n"It does scare me a little bit, which is why I make sure the salon appears to be clean," she said. "On the other hand, you can pick up diseases and nail fungus from the gym or even showers, so you can't let the fear of bacteria and fungus get in the way of getting a \npedicure"
