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MIAMI (CBS4) ― It sounds like a sweet assignment -- getting a manicure. But it was with new found trepidation the CBS4 I-Team offered up our hands, having discovered how vulnerable anyone might be to ending up with an infection that could prove to be more than a nuisance. At issue: questionable sanitary conditions and procedures that the untrained eye might not notice.

"It's really dangerous," exclaimed industry insider Antonia Moforis, who says she's seen enough to be concerned.

"I had a client whose big toe was amputated to the joint because the bacteria was spreading into the bloodstream. I have seen it all."

Moforis is owner of the nationally-acclaimed Hand and Foot Company in South Miami. She is passionate about the service of safety she says she provides her clients and willingly showed off her store's last inspection report which was a thumbs up in all areas.

But cases from across South Florida and the nation have come to the attention of CBS4 News -- cases that highlight a nightmare some customers say they have experienced.

As the CBS4 I-Team first reported, it is alleged a Florida model contracted flesh eating disease following a visit to her manicurist. Her Miami attorney, Marc Brumer said when he first met her, "... it was a shocking experience to say the least." And Brumer has handled multiple cases of manicure clients who have lost part of their fingers because of infections contracted at nail salons.

In Texas, the family of Kimberly Kay Jackson is suing a salon over her death. The family claims she went for a pedicure and the pumice stone tore an opening into her foot. The infection that followed, according to her family, led to a health crisis that killed her.

CBS4 Chief Investigative Reporter Michele Gillen set about trying to find out what dangers might lurk in your favorite nail salon. She, and the CBS4 I-Team, visited a variety of salons to evaluate how patrons might unknowingly be at risk when getting nails done. Gillen learned from the experts (who know what to look for) that it still shocks even them.

"The nail files were unclean, the ceiling vents were unclean. There was no hot water in the establishment," describes Cheryl Biesky, regional program administrator for the Department of Business and Professional Regulation in Broward on conditions she found at a salon shop.

Her biggest concern, "Unfortunately, its unlicensed activity."

Florida, along with New York and California, lead the nation in the number of unlicensed nail technicians. Experts say that should worry you.

"The unlicensed nail tech, specifically, the person who would be receiving service would be at risk," says Biesky.

Who's watching? CBS4 News has learned there are only five state inspectors for all of South Florida -- one alone in Broward County. They are the same team responsible for inspecting veterinarian shops. You need to be your own watchdog.

What to look for: when you walk into a salon you need to see posted the most recent state inspection report. This document will let you know if there's a sanitary problem or manicurists caught unlicensed.

While some salon owners couldn't wait to show us their glowing inspection reports, most were not posted as they should be.

In an effort to protect the consumer, the state now requires that every salon maintain a log book that notes every pedicure and the cleaning of the basin after each pedicure. We found that log book wasn't easy to find. While the ruling came into effect two years ago, some salons had never even heard of the requirement.

But the best protection industry leaders tell us is not a law or requirement, but an official recommendation for consumers -- provide your own instruments. This would significantly reduce exposure to infections that could potentially be passed on from instruments that might not be properly sanitized.

And last but not least, women are cautioned to never shave their legs before a pedicure. An invisible nick could provide an opening for bacteria that could change your life.

Attorney Brumer urges the better safeguards and tougher sanctions for salons. He has repeatedly seen the cost of a mistake, he says, and consumers pay with their health.

"We need Governor Christ and other people to get involved to have stringent standards to protect the public."

Keep in mind, amid the new world of drug resistant bacteria we live in, the state of Florida no longer inspects these nail salons every year. They now are only required to visit once every two years.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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