Manicure gone bad

[kadi]

I started getting acrylic nails before Xmas. Have felt so-so about them, have discovered they are inconvenient & expensive, though pretty.

Last night, I discovered a green spot under one nail. (Thank goodness I had a french manicure, not a dark polish, so I could see it!) I didn't want to go back to the same salon that infected me, so went to a different salon & had the acrylic fill taken off today.

Next went to my hairstylist who was very startled at the condition of my nails, said that neither the original manicurist nor the one who took the nails off knew what they were doing. In addition to the green spot under one nail, all ten fingernails are bruised, gouged, and have so many layers sanded down, the bottom half of each nail is half its thickness it should be. Several nails are split & they are all a bit painful.

My hairstylist gave me some antifungal liquid to drip into the infected part of the nail and some special polish to strengthen what is left and to prevent further splittage. She says it will take about 6 months til these nails are grown out & replaced.

What's sad is I really wanted my nails to look nice for the first day of school tomorrow (new term, new students) & now my hands are actually rather frightening looking & I have to personally sign each kid's schedule, so won't be able to hide them :(

Obviously, have cancelled my next appointment & will be doing my nails at home from now on.... :help:

[dg2901]

As a licensed cosmetologist, I'd highly recommend that you get in to your GP to have your fingernails examined to make sure its a 'simple' infection and not something that could potentially become more serious.

Wishing you well...
Diana

[leelee88]

I have to agree with Diane about seeing the Dr.

I had a fungus one time and lost my whole nail from it..It took forever to get it to grow back.. I did not get it from getting my nails done though. I got it after Hurricane katrina and digging through my things. But a fungus is a fungus and need to be treated..

[Berkshire Road]

Ick. I buy pre-polished French manicured acrylic glue-ons in Walgreens for around 5 dollars. I like the "real life" brand because they're not too long. They look exactly like regular acrylics, and usually last me about two weeks.

The glue does damage the nail, it kind of makes them dry and easy to break. But my own nails have always been like that, anyway, so it doesn't matter. Usually I leave them off a few days before putting the new set on.

Really, I'm constantly getting compliments on my "manicure." Uh, yeah, I got it for 5 bucks in Walgreens...

I too think you should see a doctor. I know from experience, fungus can spread, and infections can spread into your whole finger and hand. Please be careful!

[ICNDonna]

I absolutely agree you need to see your doctor. I have known others who got nail fungus under acrylic nails. Nail fungus can be difficult to beat once it gets a good start and you definitely don't want that.

Sending gentle hugs,
Donna

[Claredale]

Carolyn, they are great! I bruised my big toe when I broke my foot last winter. I lost about half of my nail just when it was time to wear sandals and my son was getting married and I had open toed shoes. I was too afraid to get acrylic nails since I had had issues with having my nails dones as well, so I happen to notice those nails for toes as well. They did the trick the entire summer so I wasn't embarrassed with my ugly nail. That's a great suggestion Carolyn!

TS

[traceann]

Geesh, sorry to hear that something that was to a nice little spruce-up for you turned into a disaster, ugh. :( I used to do the "gel" nails, and that too got expensive and inconvenient - nothing like one popping off and not being able to get to the salon right away, lol. I started doing the gel nails at home, that was easier, although my nail girl thought I was seeing someone else, lol - but in the end, went back to natural, lol. A little too high maintenance for this girl who likes to garden and dig in dirt!!! ;)

Hope you get it all cleared up right away!

[GriffsMommy]

Oh that's scary. I used to have mine done and loved them but obviously we don't have the money right now. Once in awhile I would have the acrylic seperate from my real nail some but I never got any kind of fungus or anything. It sticks something that you enjoyed has caused such a problem for you. I would keep a real close eye on that fungus and everybody is right you should probably go to the dr to make sure it's been treated properly.

[Claredale]

I am like Tracey, too much digging in the dirt and hate to wear gloves!

[GriffsMommy]

It is expensive and in Kadi's cause it obviously caused health problems but I don't know when I have my nails professionaly done I feel so much prettier. I miss having them. Maybe I'll have to try the ones at Walgreen's that Carolyn was talking about.

[kadi]

Saw the nurse practitioner today & she said the fingernails are probably just very bruised & cuticles are very dry. But she gave me a script for an antifungal ointment, just to be sure. The good news about seeing her was she is going to help find me a local dietician to help me with the Elavil related weight gain!

And then I was very lucky this afternoon, that I "discovered" I was getting a flat tire & got into the shop just before closing for a free tire patch. (A lot better than waking up to a flat tomorrow & having to call AAA).

So, it was a good day. Thanks for suggesting the doctor visit, it wound up being good on several levels:)

[leelee88]

Glad you had it checked out..

[BBB]

Kadi,
Glad you received a medical opinion and all is well. Sorry you had another day with bumps. Well, hopefully tomorrow is better; third times a charm!!

I bet your students didn't even notice your nails being the first day of the semester and all. I love how you seem to always keep your head up when you face life issues.

Let us know how tomorrow goes,
Betsy

[dancemomof2]

Glad you got it checked out.

Carolyn thatnks for the tip on those fake ones, I will look for those to take on my cruise.

[VSBY]

Hi
I had problems with the new fancy Euro nails made from something other than acrylic and gel, they were supposed to be healthy, less offensive work on the nail.

Well, the kept falling off, so I decided to forget it. Although I have to say I felt so pretty with the nails. I did in the garden too and play with the dog...they didn't work.

It took about 2 months and a few nice plain old manicures to get the nails back to normal. They were short, I had a french manicure (also for a wedding) and it looked clean and nice. The nail polish under coat and finisher made the nails look nice for a while, then I just let them grow out and filed the ends.

My cousin in Del Ray, Fl, said no matter what you do to a nail, as soon as the file touches the top of the nail, the damage begins...so..

I am curious about the Walgreen ones...I will check them out next time I come down to the USA. I live on the border and get my gasoline there because our gas is just about $5.00 a gallon now! It is beautiful in Canada but a very expensive Country to live especially the west coast.

Have fun!

[Zygala87]

Please everyone take notice. Our one and only Granddaughter age 20 had a sore, it kept getting worse, she was too busy with classes and work to have a Dr. look at it. Now she has MRSA (please look it up) and we are about to have a breakdown as all medication given to her has not worked and she is getting worse day by day. A little bo-bo can turn into a life-threating illness these days. Ziggy