Jayne Sharp, of Knoxville, contracted flesh-eating disease after visiting a nail bar for a manicure. While there, she got stuck on her thumb, and within a few hours, her thumb began to swell and throb and she experienced flu-like symptoms, according to WBIR-TV.
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Thinking she had the flu, Sharp visited the doctor, but the test was negative. A nurse practitioner called to check on her and when Sharp told her that swelling in her thumb had spread to her arm, the nurse told her to get to the hospital right away, which likely saved Sharp’s life. Diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis or flesh-eating disease, Sharp underwent three surgeries and lost part of her thumb, which along with two fingers, remains numb, according to the report.
Sharp is a diabetic. Having diabetes, HIV, thalassemia or cancer raises your risk of getting a flesh-eating disease, as does taking antacids. Having liver disease increases your risk of infection by 800% and your risk of death from it is 200 times higher than those with healthy livers.
The very idea of deadly flesh-eating bacteria is horrifying, and the effects can be devastating, resulting in amputation or the removal of large portions of flesh.
Your nails are more than purely aesthetic, or a platform for art and bright colors; they actually protect your fingers and serve as a window into your overall health. Flesh-eating bacteria is only one of the dangers you’re exposed to in a nail salon.
Certain manicure procedures and most nail polishes typically involve or contain a number of toxic chemicals that can wreak havoc if accidentally introduced into your body. Most problems arise due to chemicals getting into abrasions, which can easily occur if a nail file slips or if your cuticles are cut back too far.
Hepatitis B is transmitted through contact with blood and/or body fluids of an infected person. Common routes of infection include IV drug abuse, sexual activity with an infected partner and blood transfusion. But any procedure where contaminated tools can break your skin, such as manicures, pedicures, tattoos or body piercings can spread the infection.
Speaking of nails, a 28-year-old man learned how dangerous nail biting can be when he developed sepsis. It nearly ended his life since he did not seek immediate medical care, but instead tried to sleep off his flu-like symptoms.
Nail biting usually starts in childhood, peaks in adolescence and tapers off in adulthood; it may lead to infections, inflammation, herpetic whitlow, dental problems and bad breath and is often triggered by stress, anxiety or boredom.
The habit may become an unconscious mannerism brought on by specific triggers. There’s a way you may reduce or eliminate the habit through recognition of your triggers and using strategies such as the Emotional Freedom Techniques to address stress, anxiety and addictions.