I want a pedicure, but am afraid of fungus

[Anonymous]

Yeah, I loved pedicures until my mom got a fungus from one. I realized it was mostly the pampering I wanted, so now I use that money for massages instead!
You can also just have polish applied - I am horribly clumsy, plus I like to change up colors without continually buying new polish, so sometimes I just go have my toenails painted when I want to make sure it will look perfect and not chip immediately.

[Anonymous]

I'll chime in to say, I don't like to go any more either b/c of briefly getting a toenail fungus that just cured itself after a couple of weeks of sun and salt at the beach. I just do my own now.

[Anonymous]

And what about hepatitis - the whole thing grosses me out.

I'm talking about Hep C- I know its *hard* to get, but the fact that its possible is NASTY.

[Anonymous]

Am I the only woman in DC who just keeps her feet clean and moisturized?

I haven't ever gotten a pedicure (because I'm cheap!), but now I never will (YUCK). I'm so glad I read this thread and saw how many people have gotten fungus from them!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, I loved pedicures until my mom got a fungus from one. I realized it was mostly the pampering I wanted, so now I use that money for massages instead!
You can also just have polish applied - I am horribly clumsy, plus I like to change up colors without continually buying new polish, so sometimes I just go have my toenails painted when I want to make sure it will look perfect and not chip immediately.

Agreed, a polish change - usually about 10 bucks - is the way to go. That is the part that's hardest to do with precision anyway!

[Anonymous]

My hairstylist got a staph infection from Red Door.

Anonymous wrote:Another big problem is the tubs that you submerse your feet in. Even if they wipe down the tub, the jets collect mildew/bacteria, which is spread from client to client.

Almost every time I have gotten a pedicure - even in upscale places - I've gotten a plantar wart, toenail fungus or worse. The only place I would go is a place that uses individual bowls instead of jet tubs. The Red Door salons do this.
I learned to do my own pedicures at home so I wouldn't have to deal with all these issues.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I thought you'd all reassure me that adequate precautions are in place . . . I guess not!

You're right that the polish is the hard part. I can do everything else myself. If I go for just the polish, should I bring my own? It seems like communal bottles could carry cooties, too. Would the nail techs be bothered at my bringing my own?

[Anonymous]

I always bring my own polish. That way I can touch it up at home and stretch the pedi and extra week or two. I've never had a nail salon take issue with it.

[Anonymous]

Oh jesus. I have had pedicures since I was 10 and have bever had a fungus and I have been to mostly mall pedi places. If you are that freaked out then do it at home.

You can also get crabs from a public bathroom, do you still use those?

[Anonymous]

I got toenail fungus at a brand-new storefront pedi place (strip mall type) years ago and it was the last one for me. It took FOREVER to cure the fungus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And what about hepatitis - the whole thing grosses me out.

I'm talking about Hep C- I know its *hard* to get, but the fact that its possible is NASTY.

Hep B is much easier to get than Hep C..

[Anonymous]

The place I go to opens a clean set of metal tools for each client (tools are autoclaved between each person that uses them) and you also have the option to buy your own set of "other" things that cannot be autoclaved (nail file, nail brush, etc). They also wear disposable gloves when doing pedicures and scrub the tub after they're done with you. I love going for the foot/leg massage and relaxation time. If I had any concerns, there's no way I would continue to go. I've used the same place for several years and I trust them completely.

[Anonymous]

23:17, where do you go? I like their setup.

[Anonymous]

Hahhahahahahaha. Auto clave. A real auto clave costs between 15-20k. My DH is a surgeon. I really doubt they are actually autoclaving instruments to file your little toenails. But no disrespect, I'm sure they're telling you they are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hahhahahahahaha. Auto clave. A real auto clave costs between 15-20k. My DH is a surgeon. I really doubt they are actually autoclaving instruments to file your little toenails. But no disrespect, I'm sure they're telling you they are.

I laughed at that too. My DH is a dentist, and when I think about a nail establishment buying one, I spit my coffee. Hahaha.