The Health | March , 2021

self-pampering moment for all ladies , even for men . They would head off to the nearest cheapest nail salon and indulge themselves with the 45 min princess-like treatment . While indulging , we expose ourselves to the risk of infection and worse , losing our finger or limbs !

Personal Service Establishments ( PSEs ) consist of businesses offering services such as aesthetics which range from noninvasive nails and hair services to more invasive procedures such as tattooing and body modifications . Any personal service with the potential to break the skin , our body ’ s defence , exposing it to skin-skin or skin-surface contact poses a risk of infection to the PSE workers and us . Infection can even be transmitted to other clients if proper infection prevention principles are not applied properly .

How can we get an infection from pedi-manicure ? 1 . The sterilisation or sanitation of tools is not adequate such as nail clippers or whirlpool footbaths between clients .

2 . The use of metal files / grater overzealously to remove dead , dry skin and calluses .

3 . To cut the toenails too short which may result in an ingrown toenail or infection .

4 . To clip the cuticles . The cuticles are a protector and barrier from infection .

5 . While shaving the legs before a pedicure , the infection transmits

sepsis Alert

By DR DIAN NASRIANA NASURUDDIN

and Assoc Prof Dr Tan Toh Leong

Ingrown toenail infection . through scratches , and tiny nicks result from the pedicure .

How do we know when a manicure and pedicure has gone wrong and infection has occurred ? The telltale signs of infection may occur immediately or even months later . 1 . In a bacterial infection , the skin around the toenail will be red , swollen , hot , painful , and tender to touch a few days after the pedicure . Please visit your General Practitioner ( GP ) for advice , especially if there is an abscess ( a pus-filled area in the skin ). Do not try to puncture yourself , which may lead to a more severe infection or other complications . The GP would usually start you on a course of antibiotics and may perform a small incision to drain the area .

2 . If you notice that your nail is lifted , nails getting more brittle , thickened and distorted , or and presence of odor , this means that you may be dealing with a fungal infection . It may not appear for months after the pedicure . The GP may prescribe oral antifungal medication or antifungal nail lacquer or topical solutions or even take a nail scrap and send the sample for analysis and identification .

3 . A “ plantar wart ” is typically similar in colour to the skin , occurring on the bottom of the foot or toes caused by the human papillomavirus . There might be even more than one wart in an area and may result in pain with pressure , making walking difficult . Treatment is to alleviate symptoms and may include applying a salicylic acid solution to the wart , cryotherapy or surgical removal .

How can we reduce the risk of infection ? Please be always vigilant . Do follow these simple rules and tips . 1 . Be a detective and pre-screen your nail salon . Visit the nail salon and find out how they sterilise their tools and instruments .

2 . Before your manicure and pedicure , do not be shy to request for tools sanitisation .

3 . Request the worker to be gentle and speak up if any of the procedure hurts .

4 . Steer clear of metal files and opt for a gentler tool like stone pumice . 5 . Skip the cuticle pushing and clipping . 6 . Shave your legs after you get a pedicure and not before . As always , prevention is better than cure . — The Health

Dr Dian Nasriana Nasuruddin is Senior Lecturer and Chemical Pathologist Consultant , UKM Medical Center , Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia ( UKM ) and Treasurer of Malaysian Sepsis Alliance while Assoc Professor Dr Tan Toh Leong is Senior Lecturer and Emergency Medical Consultant , UKM Medical Center , UKM and President and Founder of Malaysian Sepsis Alliance

Any personal service with the potential to break the skin , our body ’ s defence , exposing it to skin-skin or skin-surface contact poses a risk of infection to the PSE workers and us . Infection can even be transmitted to other clients if proper infection prevention principles are not applied properly .”