A Bay Area woman died because of an infection that she contracted after getting her nails done at a salon in Mountain View, CA. In November 2004, another woman contracted an infection at a nail salon that grew into a 4-by-6-inch lesion on her leg; she eventually died from it. These are rare, extreme cases, but bacteria related to TB and staph infections can grow in pedicure and manicure baths and tools that are not properly sanitized.

However, these cases have brought about AB409, under which health inspectors can shut down a nail salon on the spot for violating health and safety regulations. The rules went into effect on September 22. Hopefully it will push all salons to maintain sanitary conditions.

Still, I think I might just do mine at home for now to be on the safe side.