Bacterial Infections Continue to Plague Pedicure Clients
Several San Jose, Calif.-area nail salons are currently under investigation after more than 50 people were affected by a bacterial infection after receiving pedicures.
by Staff
February 1, 2005
2 min to read
Several San Jose, Calif.-area nail salons are currently under investigation after more than 50 people were affected by a bacterial infection after receiving pedicures.
The incidents have prompted the California State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology to issue one safety alert for consumers receiving pedicures and one for nail technicians concerning whirlpool footbath cleaning and disinfection guidelines.
Ad Loading...
The Santa Clara County Public Health Department named three salons of the 13 under investigation: Kathy Nails, Nails National, and Silver Nails II. The names of the 10 other salons were not released because the department hasn’t officially linked these salons to the bacterial infection. All three salons named are located within a five-mile radius of one another.
According to Teresa Chagoya, a spokesperson for the County of Santa Clara Public Health Department, the department received a call from a physician a few months back who had seen a woman with lesions on her legs. Soon after other physicians began reporting similar cases.
Just like a similar incident that occurred in Watsonville, Calif., a few years ago, the lesions are linked to contaminated whirlpool footbaths. If footbaths are not properly cleaned and disinfected, hair and skin debris can build up in the tub basin, allowing bacteria to grow to unusually high levels.
That incident, in which hundreds of pedicure clients were infected with the bacteria, prompted the state board to issue guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting pedicure footbaths.
The board mailed out 37,000 letters to salon licensees throughout the state outlining the proper cleaning procedure for whirlpool footbaths. The letters were printed in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. “With helpful guidelines, we want to educate the consumers of California on how they can help protect themselves from whirlpool bath infections,” says Terri Ciau, the board’s executive officer. “In addition, we are reaching out to our salon licensees to emphasize the importance of cleaning and disinfecting that follow state health and safety regulations.”
MelodySusie is celebrating its 17th anniversary. It is a time to celebrate another year of growth, another year of innovation, and another chapter of the journey we've shared with nail lovers around the world. From first-time nail enthusiasts and bold creators to professionals turning passion into a career, we’re grateful for every person and community who has made nail artistry their own.
Premiere San Antonio Presented by SalonCentric returns for its fourth edition August 30-31 at the Henry B. González Convention Center, delivering its biggest and boldest event to date.
One-Day Personal and Professional Development Education Event for Beauty Professionals Set for October 25, 2026, at the Hilton Philadelphia City Avenue.
According to the report, people are moving away from copy-paste trends and toward community, using real experiences to develop a sense of taste and beauty that reflects who they are.
Some OPI nail colors became such classics that fans clamored for their return. And OPI--as always--paid attention to what clients and nail professionals were asking for.
In Dubai, a salon visit isn’t an appointment. It’s a weekly routine, and clients can spend $800 to $1,400 a month on it, according to Gaurav Tripathi of MADI International.
On October 6-8, 2026, the market behind those numbers opens its doors as Beautyworld Dubai marks its 30th edition at the Dubai World Trade Centre, bringing together distributors, brands, stylists and salon owners from all over the world.
Entries are now open for the industry's most prestigious creative competition, marking the return of Nail
Professional of the Year while celebrating the artistry that defines professional beauty.
