Health

If a nail technician works on a client with warts on her hands or feet, will she get the virus?

September 01, 1997 | Bookmark +

If a nail technician works on a client with warts on her hands or feet, will she get the virus? Should she take any precautions?

Answer

Dr. Rich: A virus called the human papilla virus, of which there are more than 50 different strains, causes warts. The current belief is that warts are “caught” when susceptible people come in contact with the virus. The most common mode of transmission is by skin-to-skin contact; however, it may be possible to pick up plantar warts from the floor of a shower or locker room. Not much is known about what makes people susceptible, but it probably has to do with the immune system. If a nail technician wears gloves when she works on clients with warts, she should be safe. As always, she must be scrupulous about disinfecting her instruments as well. – Phoebe Rich, M.D.

Dr. Mix: Warts of the hands and feet are estimated to affect 10% of the population. Viral particles invade the skin through direct inoculation which may be caused by occupational injuries, friction, nail biting, and scratching. An open sore or cut that creates a “portal of entry” for the virus can also be the opening for the virus to start an infection. In theory, a nail technician can get a wart from a client she works on. In practice, however, there is very little probability of contracting the virus. – Godfrey Mix, D.P.M

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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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