You got your fingernail fungus from... a Nail Salon?

Getting nail work done by "professionals" in the salon business has never been so prolific: it seems everyone has a relative who is opening a salon in the hopes of starting their own business. It also seems that you see a beauty/nail salon on every other corner in most large cities; open for the business of your personal care. I would imagine its a profitable business, these hair/pedicure/beauty salon enterprises. However, it is possible that these operations are overlooking a large, potentially damaging aspect of risk: fingernail fungus.

Fingernail fungus? Why do we have to deal with that? Isn't is all about giving personal care to the paying public? Yes, it is----but as in all types of businesses, there are not only expenses and marketing tactics, but risks associated with the running of those companies. And in the beauty and personal care businesses, an unavoidable risk that should be considered is the passing of infections to the public. Following are some common ways that this could occur, and what you as a consumer should perhaps be on the lookout for and inquire about from your manicurist.

When professionally trained manicurists (or pedicurists) neglect to sterilize cutting tools or brushes or towels, for example, fungus infection risk is increased because these tiny organisms (tinea unguium) can be transmitted from utensil to utensil, or from person to person;

if the manicurist neglects to wash after serving a client, then the next client is at risk of nail fungus transmission;

the use of acrylic nails can bring on the fungus if the nail cracks, allowing penetration of organisms either between the acrylic nail and the natural nail, or under the nail of the client;

acrylic nails use various chemical compounds that can "cement" the artificial nail like Methyl Methacrylate (MA) and acetone to remove the application of the nails. Not only could these chemicals adversely affect the natural nail and skin of a client, but a misapplied acrylic nail could allow organisms to infiltrate in the spaces and cracks of any openings to grow and reside, beginning the process of nail discoloration and disintegration.

What are some things to do that might prevent a fingernail fungus? Well, if you must pursue that type of personal care on your nails, do talk to your manicurist or pedicurist about concerns you have regarding transmission of fungus. Ask if he/she practices sterilization, washing, and other hygiene practices. Ask if they have a plan to combat this type of risk in their businesses (not just buying insurance, but practices to reduce the risk of infection). Have they even heard of nail fungus? Do they take it seriously (some people, even doctors, think its just a cosmetic nuisance)?

Going to the beauty specialist at your local mall is meant to enhance your personal appearance and give you confidence to face the harsh, cruel world out there. The last thing you want as you give some hard-earned money to a beauty specialist is to come away from it with fingernail fungus, or toenail fungus. Be aware that there are inherent dangers in seeing a manicurist or a pedicurist. And if you develop a nail fungus that threatens to harm you, here is a simple, cost-effective procedure from natural, everyday products that can resolve the issue without prospect of prescription medicine with its potential for side effects.