Often—and I do mean often—I’ll be seating a guest for a pedicure when they casually mention, “I have some fungus. I’m not sure if you can do anything about that.” And while I don’t actually say it out loud, my immediate thought is: No. There isn’t, and this isn’t the place you need to be. A pedicure is a cosmetic service. I’m a licensed beauty professional, not a doctor, which means I cannot diagnose a fungal infection, test for one, or treat one.
The important part is that a nail that looks unusual does not automatically mean fungus. Toenails can become discolored, thickened, ridged, or misshapen for a number of reasons. Pigmentation can also look different on Black and brown skin, physical trauma can change the way a nail grows, and nails often become thicker as we age. If you suspect a fungal infection and have access to medical care, a dermatologist or other qualified healthcare provider is the appropriate person to see. They can examine the nail and, when appropriate, take a clipping or other sample for testing instead of simply guessing based on appearance.
There’s another reason I take this seriously: fungal nail infections can spread, and bringing a suspected infection into a salon creates an unnecessary sanitation concern for everyone. I also understand that accessing healthcare isn’t equally easy for everyone. Insurance, specialist visits, deductibles, time off work, and appointment availability are real barriers. But a pedicure still cannot substitute for medical care. Sometimes the safest professional service I can provide is recognizing when something is outside my scope and recommending that you have it evaluated before we proceed.
At The CurlSpa, I wear gloves during pedicure services and use properly cleaned and disinfected implements for each appointment. My pedicure basins have no jets and aren’t plumbed in, which makes them much simpler to thoroughly clean between guests. I also use double liners to create an additional barrier between the client and the basin. Sanitation is a shared responsibility: I need to maintain a clean service environment, and clients need to tell me when they’re concerned about something that may require medical attention.
So, do you need a pedicure or a dermatologist? If you simply need your natural toenails trimmed, shaped, cleaned up, and cared for, come see me. If you’re wondering whether something growing, changing, thickening, discoloring, or otherwise concerning might be an infection, start with a medical professional. Once you know what you’re dealing with—and you’re cleared for salon services—we can talk pedicures. I don’t currently have a dermatologist I regularly refer clients to, so if you’re a dermatologist in the Tacoma area, or you have one you trust, I’d genuinely like to hear about them.