When Pedicures Go Wrong: How to Recognize and Prevent Foot Infections

A pedicure should leave your feet looking and feeling their best—not painful, swollen, or infected.
Unfortunately, infections can occur when salons don’t follow proper hygiene practices or when nails and skin are handled too aggressively.

At Feet for Life Centers, we see many patients each year with infections that began from a simple pedicure at a salon that doesn’t practice proper pedicure techniques as well as sterilization protocols . The good news: most of these issues are preventable with the right knowledge and choices.

Why Pedicure Infections Happen

Even when a salon looks clean, problems can arise due to:

Tools that aren’t fully sterilized between clients
Footbaths that aren’t properly disinfected
Rough cuticle trimming or digging around the nails
Performing services on feet with open cuts, blisters, or broken skin

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), improper cleaning of tools and footbaths is a leading cause of salon-related infections.

Common Types of Infections

Bacterial Infections

These can develop quickly, especially after a break in the skin.
Watch for:

Redness and swelling around the nail or cuticle
Warmth or tenderness in the area
Pus or cloudy drainage

Fungal Infections

Fungal infections are slower to appear but harder to treat.
Signs include:

Yellow, thickened, or brittle nails
White spots or streaks on the nail
Nails lifting or separating from the nail bed

The CDC notes that fungi thrive in warm, moist environments like shared footbaths.
Read more: CDC Nail Infection Overview

Early Warning Signs After a Pedicure

Pay attention to your feet for several days after a pedicure.
Seek professional care if you notice:

Persistent pain or throbbing
Worsening redness or swelling
A nail that darkens, lifts, or changes shape
Skin that feels unusually warm to the touch
Fluid or unusual discoloration around the nail

People with diabetes or circulation problems should act quickly, as infections can become more serious and spread faster.

What to Do If You Suspect an Infection

Keep the area clean and dry
Avoid polish or artificial nails until it heals
Do not attempt to cut, drain, or treat it yourself
Schedule an appointment with a podiatrist promptly

Prompt care can prevent complications and lead to faster healing.

Choosing a Safe Pedicure

The best prevention is choosing a salon that follows strict hygiene practices.
Look for these indicators:

Instruments are sterilized after each client
Footbaths are disinfected thoroughly between services
Staff wear gloves and wash hands between clients
Extra care is taken with high-risk clients, such as those with diabetes

For the highest level of safety, medical pedicures or wellness pedicures—like those at CleanSpa, a premier medical nail spa located in Chesterfield, Missouri—where foot health and beauty are combined The protocols are developed by podiatrists and performed by licensed medical nail technicians who receive additional certifications and training and work under the umbrella of a medical practice.

The Bottom Line

Pedicures should be relaxing, not risky.
By knowing the signs of trouble and being selective about where you go, you can enjoy healthy, beautiful feet with confidence.

If you notice pain, swelling, or any other changes after a pedicure, don’t wait. Early evaluation by a podiatrist can prevent the issue from becoming more serious.