State cites 3 local nail salons State cites 3 local nail salons (January 21, 2005)

Violations were not directly linked to skin sores

By Julie O'Shea

During a sweep of Santa Clara County nail salons last month, state inspectors cited three Mountain View shops for minor sanitary violations.

The state inspections came in response to several complaints made by women who had developed sores on their legs following pedicure procedures at South Bay salons.

The state handed out 114 citations throughout the county, but officials emphasized that most were not related to the cases involving skin sores. In fact, the majority of them were for minor violations, according to Patti Roberts, spokesperson for the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.

"Our intention is not to close down small salons," she said.

The three salons cited in Mountain View -- Image Hair and Nail Design, Nail Time, and Noble Nails -- were fined for minor violations.

"After each client, we clean with soap and water, and we spray with disinfectant. [The state inspector] told me the procedure is wrong," said Haley Hoang, owner of Image Hair and Nail Design.

According to the state, Hoang's salon was using the wrong disinfectant, and she was fined $300. Hoang said she had been using the same disinfectant for years and had no idea she was breaking the law.

"I'm really disappointed. They have to send the information before they fine me," Hoang said. "It's not fair for me or any other salon."

Roberts said the state is strict when it comes to its rules and regulations. But the fact that there were so many citations handed out in Santa Clara County is no reason to become alarmed, she said.

"It's not very hard to find a violation," Roberts said. However, getting a violation is "not a reflection on if these salons are good or bad."

Don Tran, owner of Noble Nails on Grant Road, said he was fined for not keeping a log book in which to note each time a pedicure footspa was cleaned. He also didn't have a required cosmetology document displayed properly. And a cap was loose on one of his cleaning bottles. He was fined $875.

"I do more than the state requirements," Tran claimed, adding, "We didn't know the log book was required by the state. ... I tried to explain to [the inspector], but she wrote the ticket already."

Jimmy Kim, who owns Nail Time, said he cleans his spas every day, but apparently his cleaning routine wasn't up to state standards. He was fined $200.

"We failed on that part, so we have to pay," Kim said.

Roberts said the state mandates that all licensed salon owners adhere to the cosmetology board's rules and regulations.

Residents were warned by county health officials in November that oozing skin sores may be linked to pedicures. People were urged to report to authorities any unsanitary practices used by area salons and shops.

While dozens of people called the county health department to complain, Roberts said the state received only three complaints. However, the concern was enough for the state to step in and investigate.

"We are hesitant to call this an outbreak," Roberts said. "We suspect that it happens throughout the state." The only difference is, she added, a lot more people in Santa Clara County were reporting the incidents.

County health officials encourage people to see a doctor immediately if they develop open sores on their legs after they receive a pedicure. The sores will look like insect bites before quickly turning into oozing boils that can take months to heal.

Officials suspect the culprit is a bacteria called mycrobacteria, which can nest in whirlpool foot tubs that aren't properly cleaned.

To report a case, call the county health hotline at (408) 885-3980.
Candice Shih contributed to this report.
E-mail Julie O'Shea at joshea@mv-voice.com

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