Hi All!

I would like to know whatcha all tell your pedicure clients when you see they either have a fungi toenail or the start of one?

I have been in the nail biz for 13 years now and simply stated, I have hated pedicures. Never did them. Painted toenails yes, but full fledge pedi's, NO! I recently started at JC Penney's Salon, and being there, I have to do them. So, I'm trying to make the best of it, but I do get clients with bad, horrible, disgusting feet. But, anywho, I have been telling those clients, to buy some tea tree oil and or Vick's Vapor Rub. What do you guys suggest? Not doing pedi's or being around other nail girls that have done them, I'm sort of lost on this one. Any information would be helpful! Thanks so much!!!

Nancy

Hi Nancy,
Fungus is actually very rare to come across. Have you seen one? Or are you just covering your bases?

I,m personally will send it her to her dermatologist and let her know you can not proceed with the pedi. By the way what vicks vapor rub do for fungus
? I never heard about that.

I direct clients with funal toe infections to their doctor for medication which can clear it up.

I do not agree that fungal infections of the toenails is rare. It is certainly allot more common than fungal infections of the fingernails!!

Firstly, you do not have to (nor should you) diagnose or treat. All you have to do is to deny treatment.

I will not do a pedicure on feet that are in that condition. I would send her to a derm or podatrist and let them do the diagnosing and treatment.

I have up a sign stating that i will not be performing any nail services on clients with wounds or open sores,i agree with Geeg i recommend them to see a foot doctor and have the problem treated before having any nail services done.You have to watch out for your health also.


Florentina Alexander
Nail2heart@yahoo.com
Nails At Last

Thanks for all the reply's. But, I know Ishould turn the clients with fungal infections away, but in truth, probably seven out of ten new clients that come in, have some sort of something on their toe.

Most of the clients I do have, have been to a doctor and nothing is done. The doctor shrugs them off as if it isnt important. If I were to turn them away, they would go to another salon, get the service, and maybe that salon wouldn't sterilize and disinfect things properly, therefore causing more problems. So I guess I'm at a loss here.

Yeah, I found out about the Vick's Vapor Rub from a client that had severe fungus on her feet. She happen to mention it at physical therapy and her therapist told her she should put Vicks under the toenail and all around the cuticle, every night for six months. She did it and her icky feet cleared up. Don't know what ingredient in it causes it to work, but it does. The hard part is getting the clients to actually do it at night.

Nancy

Does your insurance cover you if you go ahead and treat someone with a contra-indication?

We were taught that the most common of foot disorders is fungas. There are over 100 fungases living on our body all off the time, and the easiest entry in is when you nip a cuticle or bang your toe. It is more common in people over the age of 65yrs. When I have a client come in with an infection I just go about the pedicure like I always do. I treat them with Tea Tree Oil, and refer them to their doctor. Then I make sure that any porous tools I use (orangewood stick/ emery boards/ block buffers) get thrown out and everything else gets a thorough scrub and hospital grade disinfectant.

I do the same thing as Huberella. But I also make sure to weare my gloves when performing pedicures. I dont do pedicures at all without them. I dont even like giving my hubby pedicures without them. lol

whatever u do make sure u don't polish their toenails!! as soon as u stick the brush back in the bottle the rest of your polish will be contaminated with it.

Vapo Rub has the following active ingredients:
Camphor, Menthol, Thymol, Oils of Eucalyptus, Nutmeg & Cedar Leaf.
These have anti-bacterial & anti-fungal properties which would explain why it could help with fungal infections. Sounds like a good thing to try, especially if you have adverse reactions to tea-tree.

Hi There, got out my trusty bible, “Nail Structure and Product Chemistry, 2nd Edition” by Douglas D. Schoon…..(if you don’t have it- it’s a must read!). Another good source of info. in this area is via: The North American School of Podology”.

In reviewing both, they are in agreement it’s safe to pedicure feet with mild athlete’s foot or other minor fungal infection, of course with proper cleaning and disinfection. However many states it is prohibited. The Public Health Dept. where I live says…a big fat NO.

With respect to polish- fungi love dark, warmth and moisture to thrive- covering up with artificial nails or polish will not help in its management. Can’t find in my notes if it will contaminate or live in the polish itself…
I think if you are able to work on them…have them buy their own base/polish/top coat & explain that whatever special event they are getting dolled up for…to remove it all afterwards.

Bottom line, we are not podologists or chiropodists & true method of identifying nail fungus is to have a generous clipping taken to a lab. Oh, & the North American School of Podology taught me that 75% have some form of fungus, yeast or candida in reference to fungal infections of the skin. Imagine not being able to work on them???

Guess you have to find out what your state allows & go from there.

from a reflexologists point of view fungus on the feet can be a contra-indication. The choices are not to treat and refer the client to a doctor, who is often unable to prescribe the expensive treatment for fungal nails leaving the client to purchase their own treatment. This is where you can come in and retail an anti-fungal to them to boost your income.
Secondly you can treat wearing gloves and ensuring that all equipment is sterilized or disposed of after the treatment, again a costly choice for you in the short term but you may hang on to your client. It is not your responsibility to treat the nails or feet for the fungal infection but you can advise.

Actually, fungus in the most common of nail/feet disorders (very rare on the fingers). The majority of people over the age of 65yrs have one.

When I have clients come in with one I treat it with Tea Tree Oil and advice them to see their doctor.