Dirty instruments can lead to nasty infections

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Consumers who think getting manicures and pedicures is luxurious may want to think again. The price for that luxury can land consumers in the doctor's office. WCNC'S Consumer Connection goes undercover along with health inspectors to uncover what happens at local nail salons.

WCNC's cameras followed State Salon Inspector Terri Johnson as she inspected five area salons due for inspection. Johnson uncovered health violation after health violation at salons from Ballantyne to Uptown.

"It does not matter what side of town that you happen to be in,” Johnson said. "They're seen in all salons, it’s not uncommon to find dirty implements, unfortunately," she said.

Podiatrist Doctor Richard Miller says, "You're there to have nice nails, not to acquire an infection." The infections are often gruesome, in some cases causing permanent disfigurement.

"Probably the most common thing that we see is a fungus infection from pedicures, but you can also get bacterial infections," said Miller.

Sound ridiculous? Not to Kimberly Jackson's family down in Fort Worth, Texas. She died after a pedicure. Her already compromised immune system could not over come the infection she contracted.

All it takes is a nick, cut, open wound, even freshly shaved legs -- all of them are susceptible to bacteria and dead skin floating around in pedi spas when they aren't cleaned properly or when they use dirty tools on your feet.

Enid Thomas of Charlotte knows how quickly it can happen, after suffering a nail drill bit cut that sent her to the emergency room

"I was really upset," she explained. Thomas says getting treatment prevented infection. "It's very traumatic," she said.

The author of "Death by Pedicure" says his research shows more than a million people a year get infections at nail salons, but right now no government agency is even keeping track.

At Elegant Nails in Dilworth, we followed the inspector right through the door, only to be asked to leave. As the inspector searched the salon, we waited outside for her report.

"They appeared to have a lot of debris, bacteria left growing in the pedi spa screens," Johnson said. Drain after drain was removed, and what Johnson found was disgusting.

The owner blames his employees. The salon scored an 82.

At LX Nails in Ballantyne, we found dirty tools stored in dirty containers, dirty slippers and toe separators being re-used, which can easily spread infection.

Johnson also discovered, "They're using an MMA which has been banned in North Carolina." That's illegal nail glue, methyl methacrylate monomer, banned because the smell and the chemical is so strong it can trigger asthma attacks.

For that discovery, LX Nails is fined $300, the chemical confiscated, and their score lowered. We confronted the owner to ask her about the inspector's discovery.

"One of the employees was trying to practice, she bought it without us knowing,” she said. The salon scored an 82.

Also in Ballantyne, at Best Nail and Tan, Johnson said, "Implements are stored inside of the container and the container is dirty and this is not an appropriate disinfectant, this is a cleaner."

The owner told us by telephone his employee was made nervous by our cameras and she grabbed the wrong disinfectant. He says he does have the proper cleaner in the store. The salon scored an 84.

At the Arboretum, inside Central Nails, again we found dirty, gunky drains and the scrub brush used to clean those drains stored next to the pumice stone used to soften your feet. When we confronted the manager, he said he did not understand the questions. Later by phone, and with the help of a translator, the owner said his employees were nervous during the inspection and that the shop was too busy at the time to clean the spa. But, he adds, they are cleaned every night. The salon scored an 88.

As for the salon's explanations, in most cases they said they weren't aware they were making a mistake, and agreed to fix it.

So what should you look for when it comes to pedicure safety?

Pedi slippers should be delivered in their plastic wrapper to ensure they are new and did not absorb someone else's infection. This goes for toe separators, too. Second, consumers should never let a nail tech take a tool directly out of a jar of disinfectant and put it directly on their skin, the tool must be washed and dried before it touches their skin.

Nail files, buffers and even pumice stones should be brand new. Consumers should avoid shaving their legs before an appointment because they'll be less susceptible to infection. Appointments should be made first thing in the morning. Salons are required to thoroughly clean the drains overnight.

As we mentioned, each salon is graded and is supposed to clearly display their grade card. Each salon starts out with 100 points and the state takes off a point for each health violation. Salons getting a score of 100 percent to 90 percent receive an A. Salons getting a score of 89 percent to 80 percent receive a B.

An establishment that fails to receive a sanitary rating of at least 80 percent will be issued civil penalties applicable to establishments with sanitation scores of less than 80 percent, and the letter of approval or permit may be revoked or suspended. A re-inspection for the purpose of raising the sanitary rating of an establishment will not be given within 30 days of last inspection, unless the rating at the last inspection was less than 80 percent.

Consumers who have a complaint about a service or experience they had at a salon must submit their complaint in writing to the State Board of Cosmetic Art. To find out a salon's score, click here.