Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon — Balance Foot & Ankle, Howell & Bloomfield Hills, MI. Last updated April 2026.

The Real Risks of Pedicures

Pedicures are among the most popular personal care services in Michigan, particularly as warmer months approach. While professional nail care offers real aesthetic and grooming benefits, pedicure salons also present genuine infection risks that consumers — and particularly patients with diabetes or immune compromise — should understand and address proactively.

At Balance Foot & Ankle in Howell and Bloomfield Township, Michigan, we regularly see patients who develop toenail fungus, bacterial infections, or other foot conditions following salon pedicures, and we provide guidance on reducing these risks.

How Infections Are Transmitted in Salons

Nail salon environments present multiple infection transmission routes. Footbaths are the highest-risk element — if not properly disinfected between clients, they harbor bacteria (Mycobacterium fortuitum causes nail infections that can persist for months) and fungi. Shared nail instruments (files, clippers, cuticle tools) that aren’t properly sterilized between clients transmit fungi, bacteria, and viruses. Skin nicks from overly aggressive cuticle removal provide entry points for bacterial skin infection. Any procedure that breaks the skin barrier — including callus removal with a cheese grater-style rasp — creates infection risk.

What to Look for in a Safe Salon

When choosing a salon, observe: are foot baths disinfected with EPA-registered disinfectants between every client (not just rinsed)? Do technicians use sterilized (autoclaved) metal instruments or disposable single-use instruments? Does the salon display current operating licenses? Are technicians licensed? Is the environment visibly clean? The gold standard is a salon that uses a fresh, sterile instrument set for every client and pipe-less (or liner-equipped) foot baths that prevent biofilm accumulation.

Protecting Yourself

You can significantly reduce pedicure infection risk by bringing your own sterilized nail instruments. Avoid shaving legs for 24-48 hours before a pedicure — small nicks from shaving provide entry points for bacteria. Inspect the foot bath before use; if it looks or smells unclean, decline or request an alternative. Skip the callus razor — bacterial infection risk from breaking the skin on hardened callus tissue is significant; a pumice stone is safer. If you have diabetes, peripheral arterial disease, or immune compromise, consider professional nail care from a podiatrist rather than a cosmetic salon.

Warning Signs After a Pedicure

Monitor your feet in the days following a pedicure for: redness, swelling, or warmth developing around any nail or skin area (suggests bacterial infection), yellow-brown nail discoloration developing over weeks (suggests fungal infection), hard or painful nodules under or around nails (may indicate mycobacterial infection from footbath contamination), or any expanding skin redness or red streaks (suggest cellulitis requiring urgent treatment). Early treatment of any post-pedicure infection prevents spread and complications.

Special Considerations for Diabetics

Diabetes patients should avoid cosmetic salon pedicures entirely. Even minor nicks, cuts, or aggressive cuticle manipulation that heals without issue in healthy patients can lead to severe, limb-threatening infections in diabetic patients with neuropathy and vascular compromise. Professional podiatric nail care specifically designed for diabetic patients provides the grooming benefits of pedicure care in a clinically safe environment with appropriate infection control protocols and the expertise to identify developing foot problems early.

Foot or Ankle Pain? We Can Help.

Balance Foot & Ankle — Howell & Bloomfield Township, MI

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Pedicure Safety: Protect Your Feet From Salon Infections

Salon pedicures can introduce infections through contaminated tools, basins, and improper technique. Dr. Tom Biernacki treats pedicure-related infections and provides guidance on safe nail care practices for patients with diabetes or compromised circulation.

Learn About Nail Care Services | Book Your Appointment | Call (810) 206-1402

Clinical References

1. Winthrop KL, et al. Nontuberculous mycobacteria infections from pedicure footbaths. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2002;8(10):1089-1092.
2. Vugia DJ, et al. Mycobacteria in nail salon whirlpool footbaths. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2005;11(4):616-618.
3. Gao Y, et al. Infections associated with manicure and pedicure services: a review. Dermatitis. 2014;25(2):53-57.

Your Board-Certified Podiatrists

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

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Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a double board-certified podiatrist and foot & ankle surgeon at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists in Southeast Michigan. With over a decade of clinical experience, he specializes in heel pain, bunions, diabetic foot care, sports injuries, and minimally invasive surgery. Dr. Biernacki is a member of the APMA and ACFAS, and his patient education content on MichiganFootDoctors.com and YouTube has reached over one million views.