Can You Have a Pedicure if You Have Nail Fungus?
Nail fungus, also called onychomycosis, is a common condition that affects millions of people. It can cause toenails to thicken, discolor, crumble, and detach from the nail bed. Many people with toe fungus wonder if it's safe to get a pedicure at a salon. Here's what you need to know about pedicures and nail fungus.
Understanding Toenail Fungus
Onychomycosis is caused by microscopic fungi called dermatophytes that infect the nail bed. Fungus thrives in warm, moist environments like showers, pools, and sweaty shoes. Symptoms include:
- Thickened, brittle, distorted nails
- White, black, yellow, or green discoloration
- Crumbling, ragged edges
- Debris buildup under nails
- Nail detachment from bed
If left untreated, the infection worsens over time, causing increasing nail damage. The fungi can also spread to other toenails.
Treatment Options
There are several ways to treat stubborn toenail fungus, including:
Medications
Prescription antifungal pills, creams, nail polishes and solutions can help eliminate fungus. They may take up to 12 weeks to fully work.
Laser Therapy
Laser treatments apply targeted light to rapidly heat and destroy fungal cells. Several sessions are usually needed.
Photodynamic Therapy
This uses a topical photosensitizing agent combined with light to kill fungus.
Debridement
This files down and removes infected nail matter so medication can better penetrate. Numbness is used.
Nail Removal
For severe cases, the nail may be partially or fully removed so the new nail can grow in fungus-free.
Home remedies like vinegar soaks, essential oils, and over-the-counter ointments also sometimes help mild infections.
Can You Get a Pedicure if You Have Nail Fungus?
Getting regular pedicures is often an enjoyable part of self-care. But is it safe to have your nails professionally groomed if you have an existing fungal infection? There are a few factors to consider.
Risk of Spreading Infection
Pedicures involve soaking feet, trimming nails, scrubbing calluses, and massaging the feet and calves. If the salon doesn’t properly disinfect tools between clients, it’s possible to inadvertently spread fungus to other patrons.
Nail clippers, files, scrub brushes, foot tubs, and other implements can retain traces of fungi if not thoroughly sanitized after each use. Some pedicure salons unfortunately fail to consistently follow sanitation best practices.
Exposing Nails to Moisture
Since fungi thrive in damp settings, submerging your feet in a shared foot bath and moisture from pedicure tools may worsen or spread existing infections. The water can seep beneath nails and create an environment conducive to continued fungal growth.
Risk of Additional Nail Damage
Pedicures involve filing, clipping, and scrubbing nails and calluses. If your nails are already brittle and delicate from fungal damage, the manipulation and pressure from pedicure tools and procedures could cause further cracking or detachment from the nail bed.
Covering Up Symptoms
Pedicures aim to make feet look attractive. But by removing discolored debris, buffing away roughness, and trimming down elongated or distorted nails, pedicures can mask the visible signs of nail fungus. This can delay diagnosis and proper treatment.
So in summary, getting frequent pedicures when you have an active fungal nail infection does pose some potential risks.
Precautions for Safe Pedicures
However, if your infection is mild and you take certain precautions, occasional pedicures may be low risk:
- Ask ahead what sanitation steps the salon implements, like disinfecting tubs, tools, and foot files between each client.
- Opt for salons that use freshly mixed pedicure solution for each client rather than communal tubs.
- Bring your own tools if permitted and sanitize afterward.
- Skip cuticle trimming or aggressive scrubbing if you have brittle or damaged nails.
- Wear shower shoes in public pedicure tubs.
- Dry feet thoroughly after a pedicure to discourage fungal growth.
- closely inspect nails afterward and document any new symptoms or spread.
Proper hygiene and sanitation practices by reputable salons can minimize the risks. But it’s always smart to discuss your specific case of nail fungus with your doctor before getting a pedicure.
Better Options for Managing Nail Fungus
Rather than covering up fungal nail symptoms with pedicures, it’s ideal to focus on treatments that can fully eliminate the root infection for improved nail health. Consider the following options recommended by dermatologists and podiatrists:
Oral or Topical Medications
Antifungal pills, creams, or nail solutions prescribed by your doctor can penetrate the nail and destroy the embedded fungal growth. Options include terbinafine, itraconazole, or fluconazole pills, amorolfine or ciclopirox nail lacquers, and more. Consistent use for up to 12 weeks is often needed to fully resolve toenail fungus.
Laser Therapy Treatments
Laser technology applies strong beams of targeted light to rapidly heat up and destroy fungal overgrowth on or under the toenail. Several sessions are usually required, but laser therapy is more effective than medications for some patients. Treatments are administered by a medical professional.
Photodynamic Therapy
This starts with applying a topical photosensitizing agent to the affected nails. After absorption, the nails are exposed to specific therapeutic wavelengths of light which react with the photosensitizing agent to produce chemicals that kill fungi. Multiple treatments may be needed but outcomes are often good.
Debridement by a Podiatrist
In-office debridement involves methodically filing down and removing diseased nail matter to reach underlying fungal growth. This enables oral antifungal medication to better penetrate. Local anesthesia is used to numb the toes and prevent discomfort.
Permanent Nail Removal
For severe or recurrent fungal infections, permanent nail removal surgery may be recommended. The nail plate is fully extracted so a new nail can grow in fungus-free. This provides a definitive cure but is reserved for serious cases given the permanent nail loss.
Whichever treatment path you pursue, stick with it to fully eliminate all fungal organisms so they cannot return or spread to other nails. Temporary or partial treatments can exacerbate the problem.
At-Home Foot Care for Nail Fungus
While getting professional treatment, proper at-home foot hygiene can also help resolve and prevent recurrences of toenail fungus:
Practice Good Foot Hygiene
Wash feet daily with antibacterial soap, rinse thoroughly, and dry carefully between toes where moisture gets trapped. Trim nails straight across to avoid ingrown edges.
Wear Clean Socks and Shoes
Use fresh, breathable socks daily and alternate pairs of shoes to allow thorough drying. Avoid tight shoes that compress toes.
Disinfect Footwear
Use antifungal sprays or UV sterilizers to kill fungi lurking inside shoes and boots. Replace old socks and insoles.
Apply Antifungal Powders
Dust antifungal foot powder inside shoes and socks to help curb fungal growth. Look for types with active ingredients like miconazole, clotrimazole, or tolnaftate.
Dry Feet Thoroughly
Dry feet completely after bathing, especially between the toes where moisture gets trapped. Use a hair dryer on a cool setting if needed.
Avoid Walking Barefoot
Wear flip flops in public showers, pools, locker rooms, etc. to avoid direct contact with fungi. Don't share towels or shoes with others.
Sanitize Pedicure Tools
Disinfect all pedicure tools like clippers, files, scrubs etc. after each use with antibacterial cleaners or alcohol to prevent reinfection.
Diligent at-home foot hygiene assists prescription treatment for toenail fungus by eliminating secondary exposures. Be patient for full nails to grow out fungus-free after treatment.
When to See a Doctor
Visit your family doctor, podiatrist, or dermatologist if you experience any of the following:
- Thick, distorted, crumbling toenails
- Discolored nails
- Detached or loose nails
- Foul nail odor
- Toenail fungus that keeps returning
- Painful, irritated skin around nails
- Ingrown toenails
- Pus or discharge from nail area
- Spread of symptoms to multiple toenails
A doctor can diagnose nail fungus through a physical exam, lab culture, or nail clippings for microscopic examination. Professional prescription treatments have the best success at fully eradicating stubborn fungal overgrowth for clear, healthy nails.
The Bottom Line
Toenail fungus is a common podiatric condition that can be challenging to resolve. Getting regular pedicures may seem like a tempting way to make your feet look better, but this is generally not recommended if you have an active fungal nail infection.
The risks of worsening or spreading the infection, along with masking underlying symptoms, usually outweigh the temporary cosmetic benefits. Focus instead on medical treatments to fully eliminate the stubborn fungal organisms.
Occasional pedicures may be okay if precautions are taken, but discuss options with your dermatologist or podiatrist. Combining prescription anti-fungal medications with diligent at-home foot hygiene provides the best path to clear nail fungus for good.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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