Solar Nail Fill Cuticle Cuts & Infection Risk: What To Do

Question
Hello.
Yesterday I received my first fill on solar nails at a different salon that I had originally used to have the nails put on. It is a national chain of nail salons inside Walmart stores. The woman who did them used a drill and cut my cuticles on about five fingers. My thumb had quite a big cut on it. They are now sore with small cuts. I am concerned about what I can catch from this (HIV Hep.) I am considering writing a letter of complaint to the Cosmetology board of my state. What should I do about this. What do you know about catching diseases from this. Thanks so much

Answer
This is a real concern in salons today,  with communicable diseases like MRSA and Hepatitis going around. HIV is harder to contract, as it's passed only by shared bodily fluids--your nail tech would have to have HIV, have an open wound, and have that wound (or fluid from it) contact the cuts on your fingers.  Other diseases are easier to contract (like MRSA or the flu or the common cold).  While it is highly unlikely that a person will contract HIV or Hep in a salon setting--at least if the proper standards of sanitation and disinfection are being upheld--it's still easy to get viral and bacterial infections, which can be serious if not treated properly. Signs of infection are redness and swelling at the site of the injury--you should definitely go see a doctor if you notice this.  Otherwise, just keep the cuts clean, and use Neosporin with bandaids to help them heal.  And find a reputable salon to do your nails. You will probably spend more at a good salon, but it's worth it for the heath of your nails and cuticles.

I think it's a very good idea to complain to the Cosmetology board for your state, especially if this salon is neglecting other rules of client safety (not disinfecting metal implements, not using new or disinfected files on each client, etc.). This nail tech was clearly not properly trained in the use of an electric file, which could be a sign of improper training in other areas, also.  

I hope this helps, and maybe puts your mind at ease a little about communicable diseases in a salon setting.  Please feel free to follow up if you need more clarification.