There's evidence that people have caught Hepatitis C from manicures...

[original_morgan]

There's evidence that people have caught Hepatitis C from manicures and yet practices haven't changed

I saw this on Twitter today. Is there any truth to it? Can you get hepc from manicures?

[Tim Horn]

Unfortunately, we don't know a lot about the transmission of HCV through personal care procedures, such as manicures or pedicures at nail salons -- it hasn't been well studied and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hasn't noted this as a transmission risk. That said, there has been at least one case in which someone contracted HCV and her only known risk factor was visiting a nail salon.

Laws governing personal care businesses vary from state to state. That said, there's a lot we can do to ensure safety when visiting businesses like nail salons. One option is to check with your local health department about any health violations your nail salon has received.

Manicurist tools that may come into contact with blood -- such as blades, needles, emery boards, files, orange wood sticks, cotton balls or swabs and sponges  -- should only be disposable and should only be used once. And equipment that is used by a manicurist for more than one client should be properly cleaned and disinfected between use.

Another option is always to bring your own equipment -- such as cuticle scissors.

When in doubt, speak up. The risk of HCV infection upon visiting a nail salon may be very low, but a little caution never hurts.

Tim Horn

[sweet_susie]

What a pain in the arse. I don't want ot bring my own tools. This is my sanctuary away from the kids and life in general.

[willie g]

OH YES YOU CAN. MANICURES CAN HAVE BLOOD ON BLOOD AND THEY ALWAYS TELL YOU AND ARE SUPPOSE TO USE NEW OR SANITIZED EQUIPMENT BUT DONT BE SUPPRISED IF YOU FIND OUT OTHERWISW. SINCE MY HEP C DIAGNOSIS SHE TOLD ME LAST WEEK SHE THINKS THEY MIGHT NOT BE AS STERIL AS SHE THOUGHT THEY WERE. WE HAVE BEEN COMUNICATING AS A FAMILY THRU THIS ORDEAL AND THATS WHAT GOT HER THINKING. SHE LOOKED IT UP ON WEB AND SURE ENOUGH ALOT OF PLACES ARE TAKING SHORTCUTS. SHE WAS GOING TO CHECK AROUND AND CHECK INTERNET IN HER AREA TO SEE WHATS UP.  GOOD LUCK,  WILLIE G

[willie g]

"SHE" IS MY ONLY CHILD AND SHES BEEN GREAT THRU THIS. I HAD TO PUT A PLUG IN FOR HER. HERNAME IS "LITTLE MOON" WILLIE G