QuestionI have a horrible infection under the nail of my big toe. It got some better so I had a pedicure done before a trip. When I got back, it flared up again. I've taken antibiotics and it got much better. Had another pedicure, including an overlay on that toenail. Now infection is back with a vengence and I need to get this overlay off before my dr. appt. How can I do this without a lot of pain since the toe is soooooooo sore? Thanks
AnswerDear Kathy
First, I must warn you; MANY salons are offering unsanitary environments and methods to do pedicures and thus put you at risk for infections. Ordinarily, infections of nails - whether finger or toe - may take as much as 12mths to clear up completely.
If you do a search on the web, look for "NSS" and pedicures, and infections from foot spas, you'll find many links, similar to these below:
http://cbs5.com/business/local_story_220224519.html
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/08/10/PEDICURE.TMP
It's VERY important to be sure that you are visiting a salon that is CLEAN and follows the law with regards to sanitation and appropriate methods for pedicures (example: techs are NOT allowed to use blades of any kind to remove calluses, it's AGAINST THE LAW unless done by a podiatrist).
Be sure to inform yourself.
To carefully remove the enhancement, I advise using the cotton ball method. Saturate a cotton ball with pure acetone. Place it on the nail and then wrap with tinfoil. If you have a heating pad, put it on low and on the foot to speed up the process. (DO NOT microwave the acetone, it's flammable and may blow up your microwave)
IF your salon is NSS and using toxic products containing MMA (see here to learn more on my site: http://ongles-chez-victoria.tripod.com/victoriasnails/id18.html) then it may take quite a while for the product to be removed.
After 20min, remove the foil, scrape at the product GENTLY with an orange wood stick. Replace the cottonball with a new one, soaked in acetone again, and replace the foil.
Continue this process until all the product is removed.
Quality acrylic should NOT take more than 20min. However toxic cheap acrylic may take as much as 60 to remove this way.
In addition to whatever your doctor prescribes, I strongly advise that you use pure tea tree oil on the infection as well. Apply it so that it runs under the toenail where the infection lies. Tea tree oil is a natural anti-fungal, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, antibiotic etc. it's been proven MANY times to clear up infections.
Keeping the foot dry will also help as the area under the toe nail can not be dried like other parts of the body, and so the moisture will harbour the bacteria.
Apply it twice daily for a couple of months.
I hope this helps and if you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me
best regards
victoria
