About 4 and ½ million Americans have chronic hepatitis, and many do not even

How Can a Manicure Threaten Your Life?

know they have it.  There are several types of hepatitis – a serious disease of the liver – some you get from simply kissing or saliva, and some from blood contamination.  We all know there are potential dangers from blood transfusions, or with drug use, contaminated needles.  But there are more sinister ways you can get this life threatening disease.

Getting your nails done in a beauty or nail salon is getting to be a more frequent cause of hepatitis B.  Any procedure you undergo that breaks your skin, such as manicures, pedicures, tattoos or body piercings will spread the infection if proper sterilization of the tools used is not followed.  Since clippers and scissors or files can break or puncture the skin, you MUST be certain they were properly sterilized before letting someone proceed with using them.  Even the bath you soak your toes or fingers in must be disinfected between uses.

If there is any doubt, refuse the procedure!  If you were vaccinated for Hepatitis B, studies have shown that after 7 to 10 years there is no longer adequate protection against infection.

Additionally, be aware that many nail polishes have toxic ingredients that can get absorbed through the skin or inhaled.  These chemicals can play havoc with your body systems and cause dangerous changes to your health.  Try to use nail polishes that do not have toluene, DBP’s or formaldehyde as ingredients.  Check out the Environmental Working Group’s website (www.ewg.org) to check on a cosmetic product you are considering using.  They are a great resource for a non-profit, giving safer and unbiased evaluations on many products