A nail or skin condition showing signs of infection (such as redness, swelling, pus, or pain) means the cosmetologist should:

If a client's nail or surrounding skin shows signs of infection — such as redness, swelling, pus, heat, or pain — the cosmetologist should not perform the nail service and should refer the client to a physician. Working on an infected area can worsen it and spread infection to tools, surfaces, and other clients. Diagnosing and treating infections is outside a cosmetologist's scope. Recognizing the signs of infection and knowing to decline service and refer is both an infection-control and a scope-of-practice requirement on the exam.