Pedicures: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

The Good

When attending special events like weddings or holidays, having a medical pedicure can boost your confidence.  Toenails are less likely to chip than fingernails as they are not quite as dextrous.  Bring your own nail varnish – something breathable and anti fungal ensure that your therapist does not over dig – less is more.

Your own regular nail polish on your toes instead of shellac or gel is much better for your nail health and ideally removing using a non alcohol nail remover polish soon after.  Long-term nail polish use increases fungal nails and prevents you from seeing nail discoloration.

The Bad

If the nails were chipped during therapy or if the equipment not adequately cleansed or sterilised, fungal nails could develop.  The infection might not be discovered for months.  It is possible to contract athlete’s foot, a skin ailment caused by a fungus, via contaminated surfaces like floors and foot baths.

Verrucae are more likely to spread from communal locations where people go barefoot, just as fungal disease.  The same holds true for nail salons that do not sanitize the space and equipment appropriately.  For instance, think of a file used on someone’s hard skin and verruca and then used on the next person after a quick but improper clean of the instrument.   It can take weeks sometimes months for verrucae to appear.

The Ugly

If the person is at risk, has a number of medical disorders and has a poor ability to heal, a cut to the skin can result in an infection or, worse still, an ulcer (wound) that refuses to heal.
Nail cut too short?  Experiencing pain at the side of your nail?  This is known as an ingrown toenails and infections can ensue.  A bacterial skin fold infection is called a paronychia typically affecting the base or the side of the nail.  It looks like a blister or a pus-filled pocket with surrounding redness and it can be extremely painful.  If the cuticles were forcibly clipped or pushed back during a pedicure, it may result to an infection.  A visit to the podiatrist is necessary for ingrown toenails.

Are you suffering from any foot conditions?  At The Chelsea Clinic, we can help.  One of our podiatrist can assist and then recommend what treatments are best to get you back on track. Podiatrist South Kensington

Schedule an appointment here or you may call us at +44 (0) 207 101 4000. 

We hope you have a feetastic day! 

-The Chelsea Clinic and Team

Learn more about Fungal Nails