Northern Michigan's News LeaderHealthy Living: Nail Salon Nightmare

An estimated 4.4 million Americans are living with chronic hepatitis, most don't know it. Now a new study shows customers in nail salons could be putting themselves at risk for the deadly disease. In Healthy Living, Robyn Haines shows you what to watch out for.

From polishing to cleaning, Nancye Swanson does her own nails these days. Six months ago, she almost died from something she picked up at a salon. Her skin looked yellow. Doctors told her that was a clear sign of Hepatitis B, a serious liver infection. It happened while she was getting a pedicure.

Doctor Robert Gish is writing a health policy for the Vietnamese government on the spread of Hepatitis B. That's because every person born in the Asian Pacific region is at a high risk of already having it. That includes the thousands of people working in salons across the U.S., and they may not even know they are a carrier.

While there is no cure, a pill once a day will control it. Here are some ways you can protect yourself at the salon. First, make sure your salon's license is clearly posted. Scissors and clippers should be disinfected after each use and only disposable files should be used, the same goes for the pedicure bath and all suction screens in the tubs. That's where deadly bacteria gets trapped. Also, look for labels on products. If you don't see one, they could be diluted. And always-take your own polish.