BEVERLY HILLS, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 09/20/2005 -- Thanks in part to the urging of Paula Abdul, who recently testified before a state Senate committee, state officials may begin to require salons to post previous health citations in their publicly viewed windows. Abdul took this issue on after contracting a staph infection from an upscale nail salon last year. She is one of millions who have been infected at salons, many of which are in gross violation of health and safety codes.
"These legislations are being considered to improve nail salon health codes, but people must also take their safety into their own hands by bringing a personal set of salon-quality nail implements to each appointment," explained Dr. Carolyn Siegal, a podiatrist in Beverly Hills and creator of Dr. Siegal's Savvy Nail Kits.
The lack of proper sterilization of nail tools between clients at salons is one of the primary methods of spreading diseases, such as plantar warts, bacterial infections and nail fungus. By bringing your own set of tools to each nail appointment, you dramatically reduce your risk of contracting an infection since the tools are not shared with other salon patrons. Siegal created a fun and effective method to protect yourself with her line of stylish nail kits designed to carry with you to the salon.
Although it may be comforting when you see your salon using the small machine that exposes the nail tools to ultraviolet light, do not be so sure that this is going to ensure your safety. These machines are not approved by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for use in hospital operating rooms, surgery centers, or medical offices. There is no proof that the ultraviolet light used in these machines will fully destroy each of the dangerous organisms that present a risk in the nail salon. "Would you want to be operated on with surgical instruments cleaned in this 'toaster oven?' In addition, does your salon keep their implements in this 'oven' for 20 to 45 minutes as regulated by the manufacturer? Or, do they just toss them in and out in order to be prepared for the long line of waiting customers on a busy Saturday morning?" asks Siegal. The most effective method to protect yourself is to ensure that the only tools used on your fingers and toes have never been used on any one else.
Even if the new legislation is passed, there will still not be enough man power to enforce that each and every salon adheres to the new health codes. Ultimately, it is up to each consumer to keep themselves free of disease transmission. Thirty-six million people are estimated to have nail fungus in the United States; however, only 2.5 million are being treated with oral medications. This leaves over 33 million people with toe nail fungus who can potentially spread this unsightly disease to fellow nail salon consumers. The organism that causes thick yellow nails thrives in warm, damp locations such as the salon's pedicure tub. The oral medications used to treat this problem require three months of therapy with strict monitoring of the liver. "Make sure to always use a seamless disposable tub liner on the portable pedicure tubs in order to put a barrier between your feet and the disease-laden walls of the tub," Siegal advised. "Prevention is always your safest bet when entering a salon, so always make sure you take your kit, regardless of how clean a salon looks."
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