Health

Can fungus be transmitted from one client to another with a file if proper sanitation is used or if files are disposed of? Is it airborne?

April 01, 2003 | Bookmark +

Can fungus be transmitted from one client to another with a file if proper sanitation is used or if files are disposed of? Is it airborne?

Answer

Nail fungus is relatively rare on the hands and much more common on toenails. Both fungus and bacteria (“greenies”) can become airborne and both can be transmitted by abrasive files, but only if the file is used on an infected nail plate. More often, fungal infections come from walking barefoot in public places, i.e. health clubs, shoe stores, hotel carpets, etc. Transmission in the salon is possible, but probably rare when compared to these other more likely sources of infection.

Files that come in contact with an infected nail plate should be disposed of immediately after use. In this case, these files cannot be properly sanitized or disinfected. Only abrasives used on healthy nail plates and intact skin can be properly sanitized and disinfected. Thorough washing with hot soapy water alone will remove more than 99% of the contaminates from files. Disinfectants will provide an extra measure of insurance and protection, but washing is the most important step. Doug Schoon

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What’s the cause of the pinkish-red oval area on the pad of my client’s toes?

I have a client who has a recurring problem with her fourth toes during the winter months. Both of her “ring finger” toes develop a pinkish-red oval area on the pad. Then a month later, when I see her again, the skin has become dry and hard like a callus, with the layers of skin peeling away to reveal a deeper, dark epicenter.  It’s extremely painful for her and, needless to say, we do not touch it. But it clears up in the summer when she’s wearing open-toed sandals, so I suspect it has to be due to the boots she wears in the winter. Plus she never puts lotion on her feet or uses a foot file in between visits. What do you think causes this?

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What are the big white spots on my natural-nail client’s nails?

I have a client who has been with me for about two years. She used to wear acrylic nails but has been a natural nail client for eight months or so. She has these white spots on her nails — big spots that are dry, but not flaky, right in the middle of the nail. I did try to buff them lightly but they do not come off or grow off. I had a new client come in last week who had the same on her toenails. She said it started after she had a pedicure done at another salon. Can you help?

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