PEDICURE INFECTIONS

Pedicure infections are surprisingly very easy to pick up, if proper disinfection guidelines are not followed. Usually occurring in salons and spas that cater to numerous individuals, pedicure infections have been known to get as serious as amputations and even death. The major problem lies in not so much the cleanliness of the pedicure spas as many would assume, but in the necessary disinfectant guidelines.

Most pedicure-related infections have been linked to contaminated footbaths used in the pedicures. When pedicure spa chairs aren't cleaned and disinfected properly, hair and skin can gather in the tub basin; and bacteria can grow to unusually high levels. The traditional pedicure spas use circulation systems that trap the bacteria in pipes of pedicure spa chairs. The modern pedicure spa chairs are equipped with a new system, called pipeless whirlpool, which doesn't keep contaminated water and bacteria in the pedicure spa chairs.

One pedicure infection that can result is called atypical mycobacterium, which is often misdiagnosed and treated as a common staph infection of the skin. The first symptom is usually a pimple that becomes larger, like an infected cyst or furuncle. To treat the infection successfully, a culture must be taken to look specifically for the mycobacterium organism. This can require several weeks to complete, with the appropriate treatment being multiple rounds of antibiotics lasting up to several months.

What is staph infection? How do people get staph infections through pedicures? Staph is the shortened name for staphylococcus, a type of bacteria. These bacteria can live harmlessly on many skin surfaces. When the skin is punctured or broken for any reason, staph bacteria can enter the wound and cause an infection. Staph infections normally cause a red, swollen, and painful area on the skin. Other symptoms include: a skin abscess, fever, and warmth around the infected area.

In other types of infections such as in the case of MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus) infections, it will start with a small red bump and would grow by accumulating pus inside. It can be very painful and would extend deep in to the tissues as well. At the same time, it is possible for these persons to develop fever and rashes along with a MRSA pedicure infection. 

This bacterium is extremely difficult to treat in humans since it is very resilient to antibiotics including the penicillins and as the name suggests namely Methicillin and oxacillin. This bacterium has normally cause outbreaks in hospitals and health care settings since it's so hard to treat and very easy to transmit from patient to patient (HA-MSRA or Health Care Associated MSRA). Recently though, it has been found causing outbreaks outside of hospitals and clinics and in communities amongst healthier people like in salons and spas (CA-MSRA or Community Associated MSRA).

Pedicure Infection can also lead to a nail fungus. A nail fungus or a fungal infection of the nails is the most common type of infection that you can get in and around your nails.

The signs of a nail fungus are usually a yellow, discolored, thickened nail and for most people it is just a cosmetic issue. However, for a select few, for those people who do not have an intact immune system or people who do not have good sensation in their feet, it can cause some pain and can be a health problem if not treated.

According to United States Environmental Protected Agency, regular cleaning is just not enough to avoid pedicure infections as serious germs can with standard ordinary cleaners. To avoid harmful bacteria from building to high levels, disinfection is necessary. To kill harmful bacteria, viruses and fungus, the cleaning agent used must an EPA registered hospital or medical grade bactericide, parricide and fungicide.

                      
HOW TO DO THE PERFECT PEDICURE AT HOME

A pedicure is one of life's great pleasures. There's nothing like relaxing and pampering yourself after a long day, and a pedicure is the perfect way to unwind while taking care of your health and beauty. When a trip to the spa isn't possible or is out of the budget, it's time for the perfect pedicure at home.

First gather up your tools and supplies, here's what you'll need:

• A wide glass bowl, basin or small tub.
• A couple of clean, bath towels
• Epsom salts, foot soak or bath salts
• Your favorite scented body oil
• Small brush
• Cotton pads
• Nail polish remover
• Nail file
• Exfoliating scrub
• Foot lotion
• Clippers
• Foot file/pumice stone
• Foam toe separator
• Cotton swabs
• Orangewood stick or cuticle stick
• Your favorite nail polish and top coat

Preparation:

• Fold a bath towel into a square and place it at the bottom of your bowl.
• Prep your feet by making sure they're clean and remove any old polish with a cotton pad and nail polish remover.
• File & Shape:
• Clip and file the nails to your preferred length and shape, usually best to shape square with rounded edges.
• Use a nail file to smooth the edges.
• Soak:
• Fill the bowl with hot water and position a chair behind it.
• Dissolve a half a cup of the salts in the water.
• Grab a book or put on some music, and slip your feet in and relax.
• Soak your feet for five to ten minutes.
• Take your feet out of the water one at a time, and pat them dry.

Smooth & Exfoliate:

• Use your foot file to smooth away rough skin on the heels, balls of the feet and outside of the pinkie toes.
• Use the small brush to gently buff each foot.
• Use the pumice stone to further eliminate any remaining rough spots.
• Push the cuticles back with the orangewood/cuticle stick, they will be nice and soft from soaking.
• Apply the exfoliating scrub to your feet, and rub them until they feel soft.
• Dip your feet again for a rinse, and then pat them dry again with a towel.

Moisturize:

• Now moisturize your feet and calves with a rich, scented lotion.
• Wash the lotion off your nails with soap and water to prep for polish, and let them dry.

Polish:

• Separate your toes with the foam separator, and apply one coat of base coat to fill in uneven areas, two coats of color (allowing to dry in between), and one clear top coat. Paint your nails carefully, working from the bed of the nail to the tip with long, even brush strokes.
  
• Use a cotton swab dipped in nail polish remover to erase any mistakes.
• Try to go barefoot now to avoid smearing.
• Reapply the top coat every three days or so after your pedicure to keep the nails from chipping. Some top coats come with SPF in them to keep the colors from fading.

Now it's time to show of your feet and enjoy your perfect pedicure!