Reducing Risks - Wearing Gloves

There is a lot of advice and tips that I provide in this website about the hygiene practices that should be followed by any person attempting to perform or to receive pedicures. Very few people appreciate the importance of the pedicurist actually wearing gloves when they perform the pedicure treatment.

Most people think that wearing gloves only benefit the person receiving the pedicure treatment. It’s a common misconception, but having the pedicurist wear gloves benefits both sides, the party giving the pedicure and the party receiving the pedicure.

Firstly we will look from the perspective of the pedicurist giving the pedicure. The most common types of gloves available are the disposable rubber gloves found in any normal pharmacy. These gloves provide an additional layer of protection against any micro-organisms that may be present on the feet of the person receiving the pedicure. The worst thing that could happen is if a blood born pathogen such as AIDS or Hepatitis is transmitted from the client to the pedicurist because skin is broken on the client and transmits to the pedicurist through the blood flowing through an existing wound that the pedicurist might have. The above situation would be avoided if rubber gloves are worn.

Another possible scenario that could be averted if the pedicurist was wearing gloves is the very real transmitting of nail fungus spores from the pedicure client to the pedicurist. It’s a very real situation whereby the spores of the fungus may accidentally be transmitted through the use of pedicure instruments on an infected client then accidentally touch the nail of the pedicurist. Naturally, this can be averted if rubber gloves were used.

On the other hand, rubber gloves also benefit the client who is receiving the pedicure treatment. More often than not, pedicurist will get nicks and cuts which is a normal part of their work. You don’t want any pedicurist with any form of fungus or other risky pathogens directly working on your nails as the risks of cross-contamination are extremely high. It’s a much better alternative to have the pedicurist wear gloves so that any pedicure tools that they handle are 100% clean from any pathogens or fungus that they may have.