[Content warning: this story contains an image some readers may find distressing. Please be advised.]

We all love to pamper ourselves every now and then, don't we? Whether it's having a massage, getting our nails done, or just cracking open a cold one — treating ourselves helps us relax.

But what do you do when all you get out of letting loose is an infected thumb?

That’s exactly what happened to a mum named Sue after she and her daughter had their nails done at a salon in Perth, WA, two years ago.

Sue, 48, says that the botched manicure has put her at risk of losing her thumb.

And now, she wants payback.

Sue recalls that the nail technician working on the nail of her thumb filed away at it despite her having no acrylic put on.

Nails are filed before applying acrylic to ensure that the substance sticks to the cuticle and lasts longer.

Sue’s manicure ended up giving her chronic pain. Stock Image Credit: Pexels/cottonbro studio

‘I did tell them they were my actual, real nails, and they just kept grinding them still,’ she said.

Her nails were also ‘soaked’ in acetone, which helps soften leftover acrylic.

Joachim Azzopardi, Sue’s lawyer in her public liability suit, said the procedure introduced two Staphylococcus infections into her nails.

‘It just seems as though their practices weren’t up to standard, and that’s what resulted in Sue having this nasty infection in her nail bed,’ he said.

The resulting complications had Sue having a chunk of the tip of her thumb’s bone removed in a five-day hospital stay.

Sue has been dealing with persistent pain from the manicure as well.

‘It really throbs and you can’t get away from it,’ she said.

‘I can’t know what the future is, there is no end to it until the specialists sign me off to say it’s all good.’

The average payouts for personal injury claims in Australia range from $6000 to $28,000.

Sue had a bit taken off the tip of her thumb’s bone due to an infection. Screengrab Credit: Twitter/@9NewsPerth

But aside from wanting compensation for her ordeal, Sue says she also wants better industry hygiene standards.

9News reports that while there are guidelines, there are no specific hygiene laws governing nail salons.

‘If those guidelines were somehow turned into regulations that would give certainty to the beauty industry,’ Azzopardi said.

‘You wouldn’t go into a dirty dentist, so why would you go into a dirty nail bar?’ Sue added.

The salon has changed management since the time Sue’s manicure went awry.

But personnel related to the incident have insisted they did no wrong.

Key Takeaways

• A Western Australian mother could lose her thumb after potentially contracting a staph bacteria infection after a manicure at a Perth beauty salon.
• The mother is seeking legal action and calling for stronger hygiene regualtions to prevent similar injuries happening in the future.
• There are currently no specific hygiene laws for nail salons, only guidelines, so it is important for customers to be aware of potential risks.
• If the guidelines are implemented into regulations, it could give certainty to the beauty industry.

If you or anyone you know has a case similar to Sue’s, we highly encourage you to contact the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission through the information available in this link.

For more on our rights as consumers, you may also want to read this article on what to watch out for during your next grocery shop!

So, what is your reaction to this story? Do you have similar experiences with salons and other establishments? How did you handle them?

Share your thoughts and stories below!

Source: Twitter/9News​

 

[John.RS]

It comes under TREATMENT RISK as an extension of Public Liability Insurance, a necessary cover for any business involving advice, "hands on" of a person.

 

[JayKay]

There's some things you have to do for yourself...as long as possible.

 

[IJH]

I think that there should definitely be an industry standard

 

[Ricci]

There are so many of these establishments popping up all over the place. They should be held to a standard, as the story tells us there is the potential for all sorts of problems.

 

[Jennie]

There's some things you have to do for yourself...as long as possible.

I have never been to a nail salon. Some artificial nails look like they could castrate your hubby if you grabbed him the wrong way. I don't know how they can do housework in them.

 

[Ricci]

I have never been to a nail salon. Some artificial nails look like they could castrate your hubby if you grabbed him the wrong way. I don't know how they can do housework in them.

I too have never been to a nail salon nor will I ever go. I have never worn nail varnish and I can't stand the sensation of a nail file, never mind the noise of one! Nails grow, I cut them, end of story.