American Feet - Beware the Nail Salon!

American women famously enjoy their manicure and pedicure services at nail salons. However recent studies have shown what's meant to be a pretty and pampering treat is causing an increasing amount of infections, some of which can be life-threatening. Many of these infections are not even reported which makes it difficult to track. However, as stated by infectious disease epidemiologist Dr. Kevin L. Winthrop, "They're definitely out there." One of the reasons infections are not reported is because women don't always realize that their health problems have come from their salon or spa. Symptoms of many fungal infections do not appear until later, after the initial point of exposure, which makes in hard for women to identify where or how they developed their infection.

People who frequent salons or spas can contract infections such as athlete's foot, yeast infections, or warts. Depending on the procedure and the sanitary conditions at the salon, customers can even contract more serious conditions like hepatitis C, HIV, or staph infections. If a salon does not properly sterilize their equipment and disinfect their area, it can become a breeding ground for bacteria, yeast, fungus, or viruses. In 2000, over 100 women in California were infected with boils on their legs which required months to heal. The mycobacteria which caused the boils were traced by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention to whirlpool footbaths in one salon in the northern part of the state. The footbaths were being used during the salon's pedicure service. Since the outbreak, California, Texas, and Arizona changed their state requirements, forcing salons to clean and disinfect the suction screen in their whirlpool footbaths that may accumulate bacteria. Other states, such as New York, require emery boards and bar soap to be used only on one customer and not shared. New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Massachusetts, and Oregon have mandated salons to clean their tools with hospital-grade disinfectant following every customer. Although it is worth noting that the commonly used disinfectant still won't kill all bacteria, yeast, or the hepatitis C virus.

Doctors and dermatologists advise that customers bring their own tools to a salon and ensure those are the ones actually being used on them. Such kits can easily be purchased in most U.S. drugstores and beauty supply outlets. Customers should check that the salon and technicians are fully licensed by the state and to ideally, find a salon which uses a machine to sterilize tools with steam and heat. Women should not shave their legs 24 hours prior to getting a pedicure or have the procedure with any open nicks or wounds on their skin to minimize the chances of infection.

If someone does develop an infection, there is anti fungal medication which can treat certain conditions. Terbinafine hydrochloride (Lamisil® or DASKIL® Cream) is an antibiotic which can successfully treat fungus infections such as athlete's foot and ringworm. Voriconazole (Vfend®) is a drug which is prescribed as a yeast infection treatment and can help fight other fungus adversely affecting the skin. Clotrimazole (Mycelex® or Canesten® Cream) and Butenafine topical (Mentax® Cream) are anti-fungal medicine which doctors may give to patients to treat infections such as athlete's foot, ringworm, yeast infections, and other skin conditions. Patients can purchase anti fungal treatments for significantly reduced costs through an online pharmacy. Reputable pharmacies such as www.pacificonlinepharmacy.com carry both generic drugs and brand-name pharmaceuticals and ship them to U.S. patients and others all over the world. Still, even those women most in need of a fresh coat of nail polish will agree, prevention is the best measure of defense. American women should beware of salons, first researching where they're going and then taking the proper precautions to protect themselves when there. Otherwise they can be going from the pedicure chair to one in their doctor's waiting room.