Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBasicsWhat to ExpectBenefitsWho Should Get One
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Basics
What to Expect
Benefits
Who Should Get One
A medical pedicure is a therapeutically oriented service that emphasizes foot health rather than cosmetic appeal. Foot safety is paramount, making it a good option for people with health conditions that make getting a regular pedicure risky.
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Medical Pedicure Basics
Preventive and corrective care are central to medical pedicures. They aim to prevent problems and conditions that may need medical intervention. With regular medical pedicures, you can prevent foot problems from arising without some of the risks associated with traditional pedicures.
For example, a pedicure in a traditional nail salon often starts with a foot soak. This may be tempting, but it risks contamination in the tub, which can be a breeding ground for infectious organisms. If you have a cut on your toe or get a nick in the skin, you run the risk of developing an infection.
But a medi-pedi is soak-free and does not involve water. It puts foot health, not appearance, at the top of the list.
Where to Find a Medi-PediMedical pedicures are often performed in the offices of podiatrists (medical doctors who treat conditions of the foot and ankle). You can find a podiatrist in your area and see if they offer this service using theAmerican Podiatric Medical Association’s tool. You may also ask your primary care provider for a referral. Another good source is to ask friends who have had one.
Where to Find a Medi-Pedi
Medical pedicures are often performed in the offices of podiatrists (medical doctors who treat conditions of the foot and ankle). You can find a podiatrist in your area and see if they offer this service using theAmerican Podiatric Medical Association’s tool. You may also ask your primary care provider for a referral. Another good source is to ask friends who have had one.
A medical pedicure is different from one in a spa setting. Typically, the ambiance is sterile rather than soothing.
The process is usually performed in a podiatrist’s office. A certified medical nail technician (MNT) with special nail and foot care training often performs the medical pedicure. The MNT examines your feet and assesses the treatments you will need.
During the medi-pedi, the podiatrist or MNT will be focused on safely doing the following:
Cost and Insurance Coverage
Undergoing a medical pedicure may not bring with it the luxury of a day at the spa, but it definitely has its perks. The benefits of a medical pedicure include:
A Word From VerywellA medical pedicure is great for people with complex foot issues or health problems and for people with trouble trimming their nails and calluses. The podiatrist and nail techs can advise you on any issues present.—SARAH RICHARDS, DPM, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
A medical pedicure is great for people with complex foot issues or health problems and for people with trouble trimming their nails and calluses. The podiatrist and nail techs can advise you on any issues present.—SARAH RICHARDS, DPM, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A medical pedicure is great for people with complex foot issues or health problems and for people with trouble trimming their nails and calluses. The podiatrist and nail techs can advise you on any issues present.
—SARAH RICHARDS, DPM, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Who Should Consider a Medical Pedicure?
Not everybody needs a medical pedicure. However, a pedicure at a traditional spa or salon can be risky for people with some underlying medical conditions. A medical pedicure should be considered for those with the following conditions.
Diabetes
With diabetes, what otherwise would be routine nail care can be crucial to health, requiring medical expertise. If a foot sore is noticed and effectively treated early, it may save a more severe outcome.
Autoimmune Diseases
If you have an autoimmune disease (in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues), it can affect your nails and skin. With rheumatoid arthritis, for example, your nails may develop vertical ridges.
Changes in nails, hair, and skin also occur withlupus. The nails may become rough or thick, and you may notice spots or pigmentation changes on the cuticles.Psoriasisalso often affects the nails.
Treating autoimmune diseases can involve drugs that weaken the immune system, making the person more vulnerable to infection.Preventing infection is important in managing these conditions.
Cancer Treatment
Cancer treatment may affect your skin and your nails. It may also impair the ability to fight infection or heal wounds, so care is needed when getting a pedicure.
If you’re undergoing chemotherapy, your nails may crack and darken, and your skin may become itchy. With radiation treatment, you may have skin that’s dry and itchy or red and sensitive. With immunotherapy, there can be nail and skin problems, and with stem cell transplants, blisters and rashes.
Summary
Trained professionals typically perform a medical pedicure in a podiatrist’s office. The emphasis is on foot health and infection control rather than aesthetic appeal. Getting a medical pedicure can help prevent foot problems from progressing and is a preferred foot care option for those whose health issues make them vulnerable to infection.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.University Foot and Ankle Institute.Medical pedicures: what are they and do I need one?Direct Podiatry Arizona.A foot doctor breaks down the medical pedicure.Medicare.Footcare.World Metrics.The average cost of a pedicure: a detailed cost breakdown.UpToDate.Patient education: foot care for people with diabetes (beyond the basics).Singal A, Arora R.Nail as a window of systemic diseases.Indian Dermatol Online J. 2015;6(2):67-74. doi:10.4103/2229-5178.153002American Academy of Dermatology.Lupus and your skin: signs and symptoms.American Academy of Dermatology Association.What is nail psoriasis?MedlinePlus.Autoimmune disorders.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.University Foot and Ankle Institute.Medical pedicures: what are they and do I need one?Direct Podiatry Arizona.A foot doctor breaks down the medical pedicure.Medicare.Footcare.World Metrics.The average cost of a pedicure: a detailed cost breakdown.UpToDate.Patient education: foot care for people with diabetes (beyond the basics).Singal A, Arora R.Nail as a window of systemic diseases.Indian Dermatol Online J. 2015;6(2):67-74. doi:10.4103/2229-5178.153002American Academy of Dermatology.Lupus and your skin: signs and symptoms.American Academy of Dermatology Association.What is nail psoriasis?MedlinePlus.Autoimmune disorders.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
University Foot and Ankle Institute.Medical pedicures: what are they and do I need one?Direct Podiatry Arizona.A foot doctor breaks down the medical pedicure.Medicare.Footcare.World Metrics.The average cost of a pedicure: a detailed cost breakdown.UpToDate.Patient education: foot care for people with diabetes (beyond the basics).Singal A, Arora R.Nail as a window of systemic diseases.Indian Dermatol Online J. 2015;6(2):67-74. doi:10.4103/2229-5178.153002American Academy of Dermatology.Lupus and your skin: signs and symptoms.American Academy of Dermatology Association.What is nail psoriasis?MedlinePlus.Autoimmune disorders.
University Foot and Ankle Institute.Medical pedicures: what are they and do I need one?
Direct Podiatry Arizona.A foot doctor breaks down the medical pedicure.
Medicare.Footcare.
World Metrics.The average cost of a pedicure: a detailed cost breakdown.
UpToDate.Patient education: foot care for people with diabetes (beyond the basics).
Singal A, Arora R.Nail as a window of systemic diseases.Indian Dermatol Online J. 2015;6(2):67-74. doi:10.4103/2229-5178.153002
American Academy of Dermatology.Lupus and your skin: signs and symptoms.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.What is nail psoriasis?
MedlinePlus.Autoimmune disorders.
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