Hi Peeps,

Tell me if I'm wrong ...

A few months back I referred one of manicure clients to her doctor as she so badly wanted to have acrylic done on her nails. I said to her that I wasn't sure if she could have it done because one of her nails had nail plate lifting. I came on to the site and read through some old threads which stated that if we kept the nails short, they shouldn't hook on anything and the condition shouldn't worsen. BUT just to be on the safe side I wrote a letter to her doctor obviously not making a diagnosis of any sort and said that my client was requesting nail enhancements and my only concern was her ring finger nail, would it be ok? Apparently this doctor laughed at my extreme efforts and sent my client back to me with a signed reply to the letter (which is kept with her record card) and apparently said, "your nail technician is making a big deal about nothing."

I LOOKED LIKE A TIT in front of my client!!!!! I know that for sure she had nail plate lifting, I was not comfortable puting acrylic on the nail but my client said ... "but my doctor said it's fine" What a Stupid Doctor!!!!

Because ... two weeks ago when I went to do her rebalance I said to her that I am not happy with that nail, it seems to be getting worse, even though we keep them short, it doesn't seem to help. I have said this every time I've done her rebalance and she always brings up the doctor. Then I noticed something discoloured under this particular nail, she said not to worry, we went fishing yesterday and it's probably only a bit of bait left under my nail, I disagreed and said it might be slightly infected somehow. Anyway, I left it at that and said that the next time I see her, I don't care what the doctor said, I am removing her acrylic, I am not happy with that nail and it's not getting any better.

4 days later I get a call from her to say that she can barley touch her finger what must she do. She knows I'm full to the brim with appointments can I swing by some time soon. I told her I can't I can only see her at her next appointment which is tonight. I told her to dose it with loads of solaroil until I next see her.

What do you guys think and what would you have done differently?? I feel awful for letting it get this far and my gut feeling was right, I feel like writing another letter to her dim doctor!!!!

xxxx

I would remove the acrylic on that nail and send her back to her doctor with another letter AND a copy of his reply to the original letter reminding him you did send her initially as you were concerned about the nail and he said you were making a mountain out of a mole hill...and tell him that this problem seems to have esculated into an even worse problem and what should the client do now. His fault NOT yours.

you did everything you could rose, She now needs to go back to the doctor and show him whats happened.

Only He can prescribe something to clear it up.

I have had a this with clients LUCKILY its never got infected underneath.

I think the reason it doesnt clear up half the time is because it gets really dirty and grimey under there and they PICK IT OUT TO CLEAN IT

Its a bugger to grow out - i always say lashings of solar oil i even got peter pan to make me some oil with similar ingredients to solar oil BUT WITH TEA TREE in it as its antibacterial i find this really good.

Hope its nothing to serious babes - YOU DID ALL YOU COULD.

Amb xxx

I agree.

You made the client aware that you weren't happy performing the service.

You notified her doctor who didn't take you seriously and basically said that it was OK for you to put enhancements on.

You then told her repeatedly that you didn't like the way the nail was looking and she kept stating that the doctor said it was OK.

Remove the enhancement on the affected nail and refer her back to her doctor and see what he says. They simply cannot hold you responsible for this because you did everthing in your power and they weren't prepared to follow you advice.


River

[quote=MINKUS]you did everything you could rose, She now needs to go back to the doctor and show him whats happened.

Only He can prescribe something to clear it up.

I have had a this with clients LUCKILY its never got infected underneath.

I think the reason it doesnt clear up half the time is because it gets really dirty and grimey under there and they PICK IT OUT TO CLEAN IT

Its a bugger to grow out - i always say lashings of solar oil i even got peter pan to make me some oil with similar ingredients to solar oil BUT WITH TEA TREE in it as its antibacterial i find this really good.

Hope its nothing to serious babes - YOU DID ALL YOU COULD.

Amb xxx


I agree - one of my clients has it with her toenails and Ive used loads of tea tree,its really helped. The doctors an idiot and your customer should go back and see him - you have been very professional and he hasnt!!!

I agree on the Teatree, Rose. Solar Oil maybe wonderful for Onycholysis but if she has infection present you need something to fight the bacteria.
Id do what the others advised, remove the enhancement and tell her to get an appointment with her Dr. In the meantime she could pop to a Pharmacist and ask his advice, Ive often found my local Boots Pharmacist more helpful than my Dr.
Hope you get it sorted.

Personally, I assume the doctors attitude to be one of "What would a nail tech know, for goodness sake?" and "who does she think she is? After all she is ONLY a nail technician". Sorry if this sounds so negative but I can just imagine this highly educated holder of a medical degree thinking that as a MERE nail tech, you couldn't possibly refer a patient to him/her!
Good on you Rose for taking the stand you have and for relying on your knowledge. No one can doubt that you LOVE what you do and are PASSIONATE about offering the best service to your clients. It is not fair that this doctor has belittled you in front of your client and if he disagreed with you , could have put it more professionally. I agree, refer this patient back to her GP with a polite and professional response to his unprofessional one.

Thanks so much for your replies, I will let you know the update after I have seen her tonight

Thanks so much!!!!

xxxx

You did all you can - and where was the bait? Under the lifted nail or under the nail enhancement?

under the lifted nail plate not the enhancement, her acrylic has always been fine.

xxxx

Just read this thread hun - any updates? x

i had a client who insisted on enhancements even tho she had slight onycholysis. next time i saw her ... OMG!!! and then she promptly informed me she's had this before with another tech and the thought of going without nearly killed her.... so i swapped to a soak of gel and kept them short and they're on the mend.

you did everything you could hun so don't feel bad.