See your doctor immediately if your nails have a yellowish or greenish hue, they say.
Mind your nails. They can indicate the presence of bacteria and fungus responsible for major skin diseases. And, if you trust city dermatologists, you pick up most of these bacteria and fungus during a pedicure or manicure session at a beauty salon.
If the nails have a yellowish or greenish hue, it signals the presence of bacteria or fungus. Dermatologists say that women are especially prone to the problem which can require visits to hospitals if it turns serious.
Dr Pravin Banodkar, dermatologist at Cumballa Hill Hospital and Heart Institute, said: “In a month, we see 10-15 such cases. Only when we investigate, the patients reveal that they had visited a beauty salon for manicure and pedicure.”
He explained, “Cutting the cuticle during manicure or pedicure can result in the loss of the natural protective water barrier on the nail. This can result in the seepage of external material like dirt, dust, vegetable and fruit matter, and other impurities that form a medium for the growth of bacteria and fungus. One has to take care to see that the cuticle is not completely cut or removed.”
According to doctors, tools at salons used for manicure and pedicure procedures are often not appropriate or not clean enough, posing a risk to those who use it. They suggest that people take their own manicure and pedicure tools to the salon - the only way to ensure that you do not pass an illness to or receive one from other customers.
Bandra-based dermatologist Dr Tushar Jagtap said that he comes across five-six cases of nail infection every month. “The major issue is hygiene that some salons lack. The manicurist uses the same equipment on several clients without ensuring hygiene,” said Jagtap.
Senior dermatologist Dr Sushil Tahilani said, “Over-aggressive manicure and pedicure can damage the nail unit and lead to discoloration and infection. The treatment depends on the symptoms and the extent of infection. If patients do not treat the infection in time, the condition can spread to palms and cause discomfort.’’
Jagtap said, “Instruments that are used once should be sterilised before it is used again. This is the only way to prevent the spread of infection.”
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