“Should I stay away from pedicures?”
I heard that the tubs at salons are full of bacteria. Should I stay away from them altogether to avoid any infections on my feet?
13 Answers
Hello,
I am not a huge fan of pedicures or nail salons. I have seen too many patients that end up with fungal nails.
Dr. Lui
I am not a huge fan of pedicures or nail salons. I have seen too many patients that end up with fungal nails.
Dr. Lui
Inappropriately maintained soaking tubs, instruments, or anything else that comes into contact with our skin and associated structures does pose risk for infection. The number one method to prevent the spread of infection in hospital settings is appropriate cleansing of hands and use of universal precautions to include gloves. Translated to soaking tubs, if facilities do not appropriately cleanse and disinfect between patron use this can cause the spread of infection. Breaks in our skin can allow for contamination and infection. Individuals who are immunocompromised are that much more susceptible and at risk - example diabetics, elderly. I would casually observe cleansing procedures of the facility that you use for pedicures. I would also ask management how instruments and tubs are cleaned and disinfected between customers. If not satisfactory, I would avoid obtaining services from them. If you have any open or recent cuts or wounds to the feet, I would avoid pedicures until they are fully healed.
Yes, you are absolutely right. The tubs are used for many clients and no one knows how many they have that day. Despite the fact that the water can be warm and drops of soap added to it, the fungal infection can be dissolved in water and it is contagious from one person to another. It might take few months to show any results but feet are more susceptible to fungal infection and bacterial infection. The problem becomes worse if the patient had any cuts or any soft tissue which gives the fungal infection or bacterial infection grounds to contaminate and spread. They hardly use any sterile techniques to clean instrumentation. My suggestion is to avoid unless you are sure of two things: the tubs has fresh water and clean residue; number two is sterile instrumentation.
I suggest you do this professionally at any foot and ankle specialist where they have the experience and the proper instruments to cure fungal infection, dry skin, nail bacterial or fungal infection.
I suggest you do this professionally at any foot and ankle specialist where they have the experience and the proper instruments to cure fungal infection, dry skin, nail bacterial or fungal infection.
Hello and thank you for your question. While it is true that some facilities are not as sanitized as others, I do not entirely rule out pedicures. I tell my patients to use a common sense approach about getting pedicures if they are healthy and without vascular disease, neuropathy or a history of infections. If the facility is maintained properly then you should not worry. If you have any question about the cleanliness of a salon I would be careful and think twice. Good luck to you and God bless.
You don’t have to cancel that manicure, however, if you are concerned, you may want to purchase your own instruments to use on just you so you don’t have to worry about their sterilization deficiencies, and avoid the manicure if you have any open sores or if you develop sores after a visit to a particular facility.
Depends. Most of my patients still go and have their nails done. I have some that think they gave them a fungus and ingrown toenails.
If you are in good health and are not diabetic and have no other circulation or nerve problems it is probably ok. Avoid this if you have thickened fungal nails it is also best avoided. In addition do not leave nail polish on for extended periods as this breeds fungus
Many people to to pedicurists, but the key is finding a place that is clean and sterilizes their instruments properly. With that being said, avoiding pedicures is an ideal way to avoid infection.
All pedicure salons are licensed by the state and subject to inspection. No problem with pedicures. Just don’t cut your nails too short.
In the last year, I've had a spinal fusion from L2-S2 and both hips replaced. I can't get near my toes to cut my nails, so I go for a pedicure. I make sure the foot tub has been cleaned with a good disinfectant. The other thing is making sure all the instruments are sterilized and the indicator has turned colors in the autoclave. When all these things align to my satisfaction, I relax and enjoy the pedicure.
Rod Tomczak, MD, EdD
Rod Tomczak, MD, EdD
It is true. Pedicure and manicure places tend to be dirty. I see many patients every year that get ingrowing toenails, fungal infections, bacterial infections and other issues from going to a Pedicure facility. The instruments, themselves, are never truly sterile (like doctor's instruments are), as bead and chemical sterilizers only clear about 80-85% of fungus and bacteria. To truly sterilize instruments, they must be put in a medical grade autoclave, as doctors and hospitals use. The tubs, too, that you soak in tend to be full of bacteria. A study was done where the examiners swabbed the instruments and the basins that people soak in, and they went to 10 different facilities and grew all sorts of microbes. If you must go, bring your own instruments and do not soak in the basins. But, you may medically qualify for regular toenail and callus trimming by a Podiatrist. You will have to see one in your town to find out if you meet the medical criteria for such treatment
Pedicures can be risky, especially if you have underlying medical condition, such as diabetes. You need to make sure the salon you go to disinfects the instruments they use and they are not too aggressive. I would not recommend pedicures if you have diabetes or other medical conditions, such as vascular disease, unless it is supervised by a foot and ankle specialist (podiatrist)
It's difficult to predict how clean the tub salons are. Some salons use disposable plastic barriers and other's don't. Some clean the tubs to the manufacturers specs and other's don't. I'd recommend bringing in your own set of nail tools for the technician to use and avoid the tubs to be on the safe side.
