nail salons

have any of you ladies been a lil apprehensive about getting nails done since treatment

[FlGuy]

My wife, and her friends, travel with their own tools when they go to such places. Not unreasonable for a little more risk avoidance.

[sandbash]

I don't do it anymore.  Just can't be sure of disinfective techniques as they must be meticulous.  Disinfection is not sterilization, which has many Q.A. checks.  Not only do I want to protect the guy that follows me....I don't want to be reinfected with another virus!

[kimmypoo2]

thats how im feeling i just dont think i want to risk it ....im gonna do my own

[Isobella]

My days of mani/pedis are behind me.  I don't want to do anything that carries the slightest risk.  

Even when I used my own files, the dremmel drill that they use is the thing that always nicked my skin.  I don't trust them to clean that thoroughly.

[pigeonca]

I go to a salon that has an autoclave.  For each customer they use a freshly cleaned kit that's been placed in its own separate box.  All the boxes go to the back for autoclaving after one use.  So I feel as safe there as I do at, let's say, the dentist's.

If I were to need a manicure in a new town, I'd ask to see how they clean their instruments  - or I'd bring my own.  But then again, I should also probably have my own scissors and razor for haircuts, and good tools aren't cheap.  

[Trinity4]

kimmy,
Never got my fingernails done but get my toes done a couple times a month.  I bought a pedicure kit when I found out I was hepc positive which I take with me everytime. That way, no exposure on either end.  It had never occurred to me before I knew I had hepc that this was a possible form of transmission.  I don't let them use the tools that required "digging around under the nail".  It very uncomfortable to me and several years ago when I was unaware of my disease the nail tech drew blood.  I hope they were using their autoclave back then.  The only thing I'm apprehensive about is fungus infection.  
Trin

[pKinCA]

Hi!

I stopped going to nail salons after my dx and won't ever go again...  I'd been cut accidentally a few times during manicures/pedicures, but at the time was only worried about staph-type of infections.  Little did I know about HCV!  

I would never want to undergo tx again, so I'm planning on completely avoiding all unnecessary activities that carry risk...

Glad to hear that you're gonna do your own!  :-)

pK

[rita863]

Kimmy,

I have bought all of my own stuff for the nail salon, files, cuticle cutter etc.  I dont have the arcylic nails, So when i go i take my own stuff and then i take it home.

peace
rita

[nygirl7]

I just do not go any longer and do my nails at home.  After 72 weeks of treatment - something that mundane isn't worth the risk to me.

Of course, the women at work think I'm CRAZY and insist you can only get hepc via IVDU - they don't want to listen and when they find out their livers are shot I will only say "I told you so" 100x. (I just don't like the way they dismiss it so easily and act like I'm stupid about it).

[portann]

It makes me think twice - I have such a long history of pedicures and (secretly) electroysis. And now with my son's wedding coming up, I'd offered the bride and her gals beauty services as a gift. I am going to take my offer right back, no kidding, or at least there will be no manicures or pedicures. It's just not worth it, even if the mainstream doesn't believe it. Thank you to all for making me think about this issue.

[Rockerforlife]

Nail salons are a nasty place...they are not regulated by any govts....they can say they sterilize but they dont have too....ask to inspect the place first...be damn careful

if ya cant take care of your own nails...you have a problem anyway...i can see if i only had one arm and missing one leg it would be a problem tho

[Rockerforlife]

what im trying to say is,only go the the salon if you are missing your arm your leg..

[njlady365]

I'm very scared of the salons now. I've been going to the same one for 8 years. I too only have been concerned with fungal infections, but I've been nicked and bled a few times. I'd taken a break for softball since March, but went back in July. AFTER I found out I'd tested positive. I listened to my primary who believes that its almost impossible to catch this from salons.

Yes, they used the same tools on everyone. No, they didn't autoclave anything.

i hadn't even thought of possibly getting reinfected after treatment!!!  This is getting overwhelming! But thanks for your question. It helped me to think past the scary treatment i'm facing. (which means I will survive it!!)

[Xenigma]

Nail salons have to be licensed by the state board of the state they are operating in.  If anyone is going into a salon they MUST look on the wall of the shop and individual operators to make sure their licenses are up to date.  
Also, autoclave is only as good as the people operating them.
If they don't use the machines correctly, well, they won't kill the virus.

Autoclaves do not kill Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease. (Mad cow disease)

Just because shops/ dentist etc.. have autoclaves it does not mean that everything is sterilized properly.  They must be used correctly.  The sprays you see them use in the shops do nothing!

If you are just going for a mani or pedi bring your own tools.

If you are doing full sets or fills - good luck--- I wouldn't risk it unless they just do the acrylics and you go home and do all the filing buffing and smoothing with a machine of your own  (with say a Nail Genie or the like)
Being in the business for many years I can tell you even the stations are filthy-especially the chop shops. They may have the best prices but they are the worst in the sanitation/sterilization dept. and license upkeep.
enigma