State Issues New Rules to Make Getting a Pedicure Safer

Rockford, IL - "There are several infections that can originate from nail salons, including viral infections with warts," says LaKimerly Coates, M.D., dermatologist and owner of Rockford Dermatology. "You can see fungal infections of the nails, bacterial infections, as well as yeast infection of the nails." Dr. Coates says 10% of the patients she treats have nail infections. "With fungal infections, the nail becomes thick," says Coates. "It gets kind of crumbly or breaks easily, splits easily. Often you`ll see white lines or maybe yellow lines going from the top to the bottom of the nail." She says when those infections are picked up at nail salons its because of dirty equipment. Treatment can last up to a year. "It`s not always something that`s horribly painful, but it`s something you need to watch out for," says Coates. "Hospital grade disinfectants, that`s what we use on them," says Darlene Williams, nail educator at Educators of Beauty in Rockford. "And now even we have to take all the jets out. There are screens in them that all have to be out, every single time you use it." Williams says the most important thing you should do when walking into a salon is make sure a state license is prominently posted. Those state licenses will mean more starting Friday. The state has issued stricter sanitation and disinfectant rules for nail technicians licensed in Illinois. The new rules apply to foot basins and pedicure bowls. Nail salons are required to thoroughly clean and sanitize them on a regular basis with hospital grade disinfectants. "When you`re working on people to people, someone can have something and not even know they have it and then it gets in your tub, the next person gets it...scary," says Williams. "But if you`re following all the rules you should be safe." Dr. Coates says there are some things you can do to reduce the risk of infection when getting a manicure or pedicure. She recommends not shaving your legs 24 hours prior to having a pedicure to keep the pores closed. Also, avoid having a nail technician cut your cuticles and bring your own nail file and clippers. The new rules allow inspectors to impose fines or revoke a salons license. There are four state inspectors that specialize in nail safety. They only open an investigation after receiving a complaint.