ATLANTA — The Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Diseases says it is seeing more patients experiencing aggressive bacterial infections after visiting nail salons.
"I think we're seeing more of the aggressive type of bacteria, unfortunately because we are having so many drug resistant bugs. Just an opening in the skin, anytime of opening can allow an organism to go in there, whether it's a virus like a wart, a fungus or bacteria," said Felicia Hoffman, a dermatology physician assistant.
Hoffman told Channel 2's Tom Regan infections typically result from the use of poorly disinfected tools.
"When you sanitize a product that you’re using on multiple people, you should really prefer to have in soaking in a solution, and then followed by an autoclave, a pressure chamber to sterilize equipment, which is going to heat the instruments up and kill most organisms." said Hoffman.
Following a Channel 2 Action News investigation into foot infections that people developed after visiting commercial nail salons, Tiffany Chatelain reached out to report a serious finger infection she got after getting her nails done at a salon in Peachtree City.
"My fingers swelled up. And as a result I took a false nail off and pus came out. I'm on antibiotics and pain medication and I'm probably going to have to go back to the doctor, because it's still infected." said Chatelain.
Chatelain said she had visited nail salons for years with no negative effects. She believes the manicurist who did her nails did not sufficiently clean her tools.
"If the instruments are not clean, and there's a little bit of a cut, this can cause an infection from bad utensils." said Chatelain.
Georgia has strict rules for cleaning equipment at nail salons. However, enforcement is difficult because there are only 14 inspectors for thousands of nails salons and related businesses.
Licensing information on salons can be found on line at the Georgia secretary of state website, but inspection reports are only available at the business.
Dermatologists suggest a good way to reduce the risk of exposure to bacteria, is to carry personal nail grooming tools to the salon.
WSBTV
