[Natalie8]

Hi folks,

I'm on Tysabri. I was recently in California and got a pedicure at a cheap nail salon. For $20 they painted my toes a very nice purple color! I noW have a very nasty infection on my heel. Fortunately it has not spread because I caught it early and was proactive about getting help as soon as I knew something was wrong.

I'm here to warn you. Please think twice about a manicure or pedicure if you are on immunosuppressant drugs. The foot baths with the bubbling tubs are the most dangerous. After many ER visits, IV antibiotics, and many doctors later I discovered I likely have an infection on my heel from a mycobacterium. They have to culture to find the specific one but in the meantime they have started treatment. I am on 3 different antibiotics for the next 3 months at a minimum!! I expect to feel very ill for the next few months. This bacteria (likely mycobacterium fortuitum) is found in nail salons. Anyone is susceptible but the immunocompromised people are at much greater risk.

If you do go, make sure the tubs are scrubbed out with antibacterial solution. Wait 10 minutes. Make sure they autoclave all tools. Better yet buy your own kit and bring it with you. Wait 24-48 hours after shaving your legs before getting a pedicure (I didn't!) because a nick provides the perfect entry for bacteria. Ask if the vents in the foot tub are cleaned out regularly. They should be soaked overnight in bleach every 2 weeks. One woman in Fort Worth, TX got a foot infection 5 years ago from a pedicure and wound up dying.Paula Abdul got a very bad nail infection from a manicure and wound up hospitalized. She went on a crusade for better state regulations.

Anyhow, I don't mean to scare you but I wanted to give all those immunocompromised people a heads up.

I've been a trooper through it all but I'm not a happy camper! Thank god, though it is not worse!

[Kitt]

Thanks for the info. However, I would never, ever do it anyway. I do my own and have for years.

[Dejibo]

The place I go to uses disposable tools for the most part and a few items that get sterilized. the tub is always scrubby clean and dry when its my turn. They spritz a antibacterial spray across the tub, and chat with me about colors, weather and so forth. Then they rinse very well and fill the tub in front of me. They also use small lotion bottles for the lotions and oils they use so they dont sit and accumulate bacteria after being opened and exposed for weeks.

I went to visit my mother once and saw my sister had on flip flops which is odd for her. I commented on her choice and she showed me a very gross sore dug deeply into the bed of her big toe and it spread around to the under side. She said she almost lost her toe due to MRSA. SCARY! it took nearly six months for her toe to heal, and 8 different antibiotics before it finally started to heal. To this day her nail is all funny and warped from it.

I see those assembly line nail places at the mall and I cringe!

thank you for the reminder that just because it looks clean, doesnt mean it is. I hope you feel better quick.

[SallyC]

Wow, I'm glad you caught it before it took off. That is scary!!

Feel better soon.

[Natalie8]

Well crap! I saw the infectious disease doctor today. My foot is not getting better. I have to get a PICC line put in my arm tomorrow at 9 am. Then I have to give myself IV antibiotics 3 times a day!!!! That's an infusion every 8 hours and each infusion takes an hour long.

My neurologist said obviously I have to hold off on Tysabri. It will be 7 weeks tomorrow. He said we could stretch it out to 10 weeks before worrying. Keep your fingers crossed that my foot starts healing a little which would enable me to get Tysabri. What a drag!

[SallyC]

Fingers are crossed and prayers are on the way, Nat. Please heal quickly.