P

EDICURED toenails may come at a cost — and it is not pretty at all. Johannesburg podiatrist Megan Maddocks says a recent spate of fungal infections among her patients has raised concern about the safety of pedicures and manicures.

“Having pedicures may expose you to warts, athlete’s foot, ingrown toenails, bacterial infection, nail deformities and, most commonly, fungal nail infection,” says Maddocks.

Gel nail applications in particular create the ideal environment for fungus to grow. Filing the nails down weakens the nail plate, and gel nail polish, which is sealed with heat from UV lights, creates a moist, dark and warm space on the nail.

Most fungal infections appear as white, green or black spots.

“The medical term for fungal nail infection is onychomycosis. There is potential for fungal spores to be picked up in the salon from improperly disinfected equipment or from the pedicurist,” says Maddocks. “Pedicurists are more susceptible to fungal infections because their hands are wet most of the time.”

Treating fungal toenail infections can be a slow, tedious and expensive process so it is important to catch it early. It takes three months to regrow a nail, but 18 months to rid it of infection.

“The salon might be immaculate and you might have picked up a fungal nail infection elsewhere, like the gym, swimming pool, yoga studio or bathroom,” says

Gel nails can create a breeding ground for hard-to-shift fungal infection, writes

Maddocks. “But the pedicure makes your nail more vulnerable and may cause an infection to spread.”

Maddocks suggests taking a regrowth break during winter to allow the nails to breathe again.