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Nail Salon Health Hazards
 Nail
salons use a wide variety of toxic chemicals that can cause
cancer, respiratory disease, disorders of the nervous and reproductive
systems, and skin
damage.
The chemicals used in nail salons are not your "everyday" chemicals. These are
industrial strength chemicals that require regulations and education for their
use.
If you regularly visit a nail salon or work in a nail salon, you could be at
risk of developing a lung disease from inhaling the chemicals.
Getting a
manicure or pedicure can put you at risk for developing skin
allergy, either from the glues or some of the chemicals or developing a
skin infection.
Treatment-resistant
skin abscesses or boils on their lower legs were complained by people who had
recently had a pedicure in one of the whirlpool foot bath chairs at a single
salon. These recliner-type chairs have an integral footbath with re-circulating
water that reaches to just below the patron's knees. Cultures of the [sick]
women's legs and the foot bath filter screens have revealed that the screens had
never been removed for cleaning, and tremendous amounts of
hair, skin, and
organic debris had built up. Laboratory tests revealed massive amounts of the
same unusual microbe Mycobacterium fortuitum in both the filter screens and
patients' sores.
The biggest problem is what's known as
nail
fungus. It's a communicable disease. Another is ringworm. Also, both the drills
that are sometimes used, and cuticle pushing can damage the matrix of the nail,
causing permanent loss or deformity,
Protection Guidelines:
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 Make sure there are no instruments that are dirty lying around.
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Make sure that the place is licensed.
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You should ask questions to the staff as far as how their instruments
are cleaned or what type of chemicals are used.
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Disposable items such as nonmetal supplies like toe spreaders and emery
boards cannot be disinfected, so make sure new ones are used for each
customer.
-
Avoid cutting the cuticles. try to encourage your beautician to push
back cuticles, because each time you cut, you open yourself to infection.
Cuticles are there to protect you. The same with your feet as well.
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You can even bring your own instruments to the salon. Some doctors say
that’s a way to avoid infection. If you don’t, make sure the tools are
properly sterilized, and anything that’s not metal is used only once.
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Finally, if you notice a problem on your
hands or
feet, be sure to see your doctor.
Above all, play it safe.
Dated 16 May 2012
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