Health

What precautions should be taken by a diabetic nail tech?

July 23, 2012 | Bookmark +

I am a cosmetologist and would like to start doing nails, but I have also been diagnosed as a diabetic and must do finger sticks daily. Should I be concerned about infections? I see a lot of info on the diabetic client, but not the diabetic nail tech. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Answer

You bring up a very important question. Any openings in the skin make you potentially more susceptible to infection. This holds true for you, a nail technician who may create an opening in the finger from a finger stick, but is also true for clients who for example should not shave their legs prior to soaking in a pedicure spa because they may have some microscopic nicks or openings in their skin. Infections can be acquired just about anywhere (from touching a doorknob, shaking a client’s hand, etc.). Additionally, diabetics are more prone to infections in general and therefore it is important that you are especially cautious. After each finger stick it would be a good idea to wash your hands with an antibacterial soap and then to apply a topical antibiotic ointment (bacitracin is over the counter). You might want to cover the area with a small spot bandaid or even consider wearing a latex glove, especially if your hands are going to be immersed in water. It is always a good idea to wash your hands before and after each client. You might also look into a different glucose monitor that can prick the arm rather than the finger. 

— Dana Stern, M.D. is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in nails. She works in private practice in New York City.

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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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