North Carolina woman says she was left with a fungal infection and bloody, swollen fingers after popular dip powder manicure

  • WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT 
  • Bethany, from Greensboro, North Carolina, got a dip powder manicure on October 17
  • A week later, her fingers became swollen and were bleeding and oozing pus
  • She visited her doctor last week, who diagnosed her with a fungal infection
  • Dip powder containers can harbor bacteria for weeks, and putting multiple customers' fingers into the same jar can transfer infections

A North Carolina woman said she was left with a fungal infection after getting a manicure at a local nail salon. 

Bethany, who asked that her last name not be used, said she she got a dip powder manicure at the salon on October 17, which wasn't identified by WFMY News 2.

Within a week, Bethany, who lives in Greensboro, was dealing with swollen and bleeding fingers that were oozing pus.

Her doctor told her she had a fungal infection, likely because she had been dipping her nails into the same powder that several other customers had done.

Bethany, from Greensboro, North Carolina, said she got a fungal infection from a local nail salon. Pictured: Bethany's bleeding and swollen nails

Bethany, from Greensboro, North Carolina, said she got a fungal infection from a local nail salon. Pictured: Bethany's bleeding and swollen nails

She says the manicurist cut her while filing her nails, but still put Bethany's fingers into the dip powder container. Pictured: Bethany's nails bleeding and oozing pus

She says the manicurist cut her while filing her nails, but still put Bethany's fingers into the dip powder container. Pictured: Bethany's nails bleeding and oozing pus 

Dip powder manicures are a nail technique in which a person picks a color and the nail is dipped into a jar of powder.

The technician then brushes off the excess powder, puts a protective coat on top and repeats the steps until the polish has hardened.   

Bethany told WFMY that while her nails were being filed, the manicurist accidentally cut one of her fingers.

However, Bethany's fingers were still dipped into the container of powder and all the previously described steps were followed. 

'I noticed about a week later I had a little spots go up [around a few nails] and tried creams over-the-counter and then soaked them in alcohol and peroxide and it just kept getting worse, ' Bethany said. 

She provided pictures, which showed her fingers incredibly swollen and oozing pus from the nail bed,

After her nails started bleeding last week, Bethany visited a doctor, who diagnosed her with a fungal infection, reported WFMY.

Health experts say that multiple customers should not be dipping their fingers into the salon's original powder container.

After experiencing bloody and swollen fingers, Bethany went to the doctor, who diagnosed her with a fungal infection. Pictured: One of Bethany's fingers

After experiencing bloody and swollen fingers, Bethany went to the doctor, who diagnosed her with a fungal infection. Pictured: One of Bethany's fingers

Dip powder containers can harbor bacteria for weeks and putting multiple customers' fingers into the same jar can transfer infection. Pictured: Bethany's nail with bandages them

Dip powder containers can harbor bacteria for weeks and putting multiple customers' fingers into the same jar can transfer infection. Pictured: Bethany's nail with bandages them

Bacteria can remain in the powder for days, and even weeks, and pass on serious infections to several people.

'Our rules are very clear indicating once a product has come into contact with the client, it has to be thrown away,' Lynda Elliott, executive director of the North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners, told WFMY.   

Experts say nail techs should either pour the powder over each customer's nails - and throw out the unused powder - or use a clean brush to apply the powder.

As for Bethany, she told the news station she has sworn off nail salons for good after this experience. 

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