I want a pedicure, but am afraid of fungus

[Anonymous]

I used to get pedicures all the time, and loved how my feet looked. But now that I'm older and worry about things, I'm worried about catching toenail fungus from a salon. I know/have seen women with professional pedicures who definitely have the fungus, so that means salons don't turn them away. How do they avoid spreading it? Can they?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I used to get pedicures all the time, and loved how my feet looked. But now that I'm older and worry about things, I'm worried about catching toenail fungus from a salon. I know/have seen women with professional pedicures who definitely have the fungus, so that means salons don't turn them away. How do they avoid spreading it? Can they?[/qu


Seriously? You see women walking around with toe fungus? I've never seen this ever. I think you need to take a deep breath and relax a little. You sound a wee bit obsessive compulsive.

[Anonymous]

If you've never seen it, you must not know what to look for. Toenail fungus is quite common.

[Anonymous]

Bring your own set of tools. Some salons will even store them for you if you are a regular.

[Anonymous]

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]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I used to get pedicures all the time, and loved how my feet looked. But now that I'm older and worry about things, I'm worried about catching toenail fungus from a salon. I know/have seen women with professional pedicures who definitely have the fungus, so that means salons don't turn them away. How do they avoid spreading it? Can they?[/qu


Seriously? You see women walking around with toe fungus? I've never seen this ever. I think you need to take a deep breath and relax a little. You sound a wee bit obsessive compulsive.

You aren't seeing it because the nail polish is covering it up. Nail salons never turn anyone away. Those tubs are like dipping your feet into a filthy toilet.

[Anonymous]

But it feels so good!

[Anonymous]

If you're in VA, try Sesen Spa in Vienna. They have great hygiene practices and were featured on the Today Show because of it.

[Anonymous]

I've had tons of pedicures and in all my 39 years have yet to get fungus from a pedicure.

[Anonymous]

I love pedicures but the last time I went, I did get a fungus. Luckily it's on the surface of the nail so just required an Rx cream, not the oral meds for months and months.

But it makes me want to do my own or better yet, to teach my daughter to do mine!!

[Anonymous]

This is why I learned to do my own at home. For the cost of one pedicure, you can buy high quality tools and polish. I exfoliate and scrub while in the shower, and use a washcloth to get rid of dry flakes around the nail bed. Then, I dry off, trim some dead skin (sounds gross, but it's actually easy to do) around the nail (not the cuticle), and use paper towels to separate my toes. Then I apply a base coat. This is followed by two coats of Essie polish, and Seche Vite top coat. When all is dry, I use my own lotion and my feet look amazing.

[Anonymous]

Well, lucky me, I got toenail fungus from getting pedicures. I still get them, so you might catch it!!

[Anonymous]

I got a plantar wort from a pedicure!

[Anonymous]

What about places that have plastic liners? There are tons in the west coast. How about in DC?

[Anonymous]

Another obsessive person here: I am even more scared of staph infections. Doing my best to keep toes in good shape at home.