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How Do I Prevent a Pedicure Infection?

Nick Mann
Nick Mann

A pedicure is a procedure designed to nourish feet, remove dead skin and keep feet free from disease. Unfortunately, the positive aspects of this procedure are diminished if a pedicure infection occurs. This type of infection can often lead to open wounds along the feet and ankles that are painful and sometimes leave permanent scars behind. In order to prevent a pedicure infection, it's important to follow four essential guidelines. These include avoiding uncleanly salons, making sure that all equipment has been disinfected, having a pedicurist wash her hands and not having a pedicure performed with any open wounds.

Perhaps the most effective way to avoid a pedicure infection is to simply stay away from uncleanly salons. When walking into a salon, it's important to scope out the area and make sure that everything is in clean, working condition. Evidence of dirty floors and a general lack of sanitation mean that it's probably best to go to a different salon. If a facility can't maintain basic cleanliness, then there is a good chance that the equipment is also dirty. When unsure, it's smart to ask for the facility's inspection report, which should be posted.

A woman getting a pedicure.
A woman getting a pedicure.

The next action to take in order to avoid a pedicure infection is to ensure that the pedicurist's equipment has been thoroughly disinfected. All equipment should be washed in hot, soapy water after each client and treated with a bactericide to prevent any potential bacteria from spreading. Asking personnel about their cleaning procedures should help in obtaining this information.

People should only get pedicures at professional salons that sterilize their equipment to help prevent infection.
People should only get pedicures at professional salons that sterilize their equipment to help prevent infection.

Having a pedicurist wash her hands before giving a pedicure is also a necessity. When a pedicurist switches between different clients, there is always the potential for spreading bacteria or other harmful microorganisms. As a result, it's crucial to make sure that she has washed her hands in hot, soapy water before receiving a pedicure. If there is reason to think the pedicurist has not washed her hands, it's smart for the customer to ask about it.

A pedicure infection may require a trip to the podiatrist.
A pedicure infection may require a trip to the podiatrist.

An additional step to take is making sure that there are no open wounds on one's feet, ankles or lower legs. Even if the equipment is relatively clean and sanitized, it's still possible for a pedicure infection to happen with an open wound in the equation. This is because an open wound presents harmful microorganisms with an easy entry point to the bloodstream. Therefore, it's a good idea to wait until all wounds have completely healed before having a pedicure done.

Discussion Comments

candyquilt

The only way to prevent an infection from a pedicure 100% is to do it yourself at home with instruments only you use. Going to a salon for a pedicure will always carry a risk of infection no matter how small.

My sister got a cut during a pedicure at a salon once and was so scared that she got infected with something. She got tested for Hepatitis and HIV just because she wasn't entirely positive that the person who did the pedicure had cleaned the tools after the previous customer.

If you do the pedicure at home and don't share your instruments and clippers with anyone else, there won't be any risk for infection whatsoever.

discographer

@simrin-- The risk of infection with a fish pedicure is not much higher than a regular pedicure. The only thing is that they might be reluctant to change the water as often since the fish are in the tank and some sanitizing agents or constantly changing the water could kill the fish. So I would definitely recommend that you continue your habit of having the water changed if you go for one.

The other risk is that if there is a cut on someone's feet, the risk of infection will go up with the fish pedicure. Every single person who enters the salon for a pedicure should be checked to make sure they don't have any cuts or wounds on their feet. People with certain health problems like diabetics should not even be allowed to have a fish pedicure because their risk of an infection is even higher.

I think it would be best to find a salon that follows these rules religiously before going for a fish pedicure.

SteamLouis

I know about the risks of getting a pedicure at an unhygienic salon. I always check reviews of salons online before I go for a manicure or pedicure. I also make sure that the tank water is renewed before my pedicure starts.

What I'm really curious about is the infection risk of fish pedicures which have become quite the trend recently. One of my friends went for one and she said it's really nice and has been trying to get me to go with her sometime.

I really want to try it out, but is there anything extra that I need to pay attention to with a fish pedicure to make sure that I don't get an infection?

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    • A woman getting a pedicure.
      By: Yuri Arcurs
      A woman getting a pedicure.
    • People should only get pedicures at professional salons that sterilize their equipment to help prevent infection.
      By: Valua Vitaly
      People should only get pedicures at professional salons that sterilize their equipment to help prevent infection.
    • A pedicure infection may require a trip to the podiatrist.
      By: Andrea Arnold
      A pedicure infection may require a trip to the podiatrist.
    • A toenail infection may occur as a result of improper filing during a pedicure.
      By: Darren Baker
      A toenail infection may occur as a result of improper filing during a pedicure.
    • Fever is a potential warning sign of a pedicure infection.
      By: Piotr Marcinski
      Fever is a potential warning sign of a pedicure infection.