When the weather is warmer, the women run to the salon for a pedicure. This is the busiest time of year for many local nail salons. It is common to receive infections from dirty pedicure baths, and many people are always asking, “is it safe to get a pedicure?” Being a Physical Therapist at Affiliated Foot and Ankle Center in Howell, NJ, many of my patients are always asking if it is okay for a pedicure? Is it safe? Do you recommend a clean nail salon? Here are some health tips to follow so you can avoid infections and fungus when getting your nails done.
When entering a manicure or pedicure salon, always be observant. Observe the procedures of the staff in maintaining hygiene. This might just save your life in the future. When a client leaves, make sure that the pedicurist drains all the water from the foot spa along with any debris like old skin or toe nails from the pedicure spa basin. The surface of the pedicure spa should be cleaned thoroughly with soap or detergent to remove any visible dirt or debris and lastly rinsed with clean water. Once the initial cleaning is done, the access water should be wiped off with a paper towel, which is then disposed in the trash. Disinfectant MUST then be sprayed on the surface of the pedicure spa where the client’s feet are to be placed. The disinfectant must be demonstrated as an active bactericide, fungicide and virucide. After the spray, the pedicure basin should then be wiped again with another paper towel and then disposed.
If there is a pedicure chair, then the chair along with any other equipment that might come in contact with the customer must be sanitized by spray wiping the surface with detergent and paper towels. At the end of each day, the floor should be at the very least vacuumed to pick up any nails and other debris.
To be safe, I always recommend bringing your own pedicure tools to the salon then you should always wash with antibacterial soap when you return home. This way you know that your feet are clean and helps decrease the risk for infections.
The above procedures are designed for the best possible sanitary conditions of a manicure and pedicure shop.
Some questions/answers that may help you…
Is it okay to get a pedicure if I have…
Warts? NO
Diabetes? NO
Scabs or incisions that are not completely healed? NO
Fungal infections? NO
Any type of skin infection on the lower leg or foot? NO
Athletes foot? NO
Ingrown toenail? NO
Clean, healthy feet? YES, just as long as you follow the above helpful tips to continue to have happy, healthy feet.
By Valerie Gregory, MSPT, CKTP
Tags: Athlete's foot, Diabetes, feet pain, foot pain, fungus, pedicure, warts
