A podiatrist in Beverly Hills has developed a manicure-pedicure kit designed to be taken to the salon with you. It carries all the tools needed, including a liner for the foot-soaking tub, so that customers can be assured of getting pampered with their own instruments.

	Bill Wade/Post-Gazette
	Dr. Carolyn Siegal's Savvy Nail Kit

Dr. Siegal's Savvy Nail Kit comes in a zippered fabric case with cute patterns such as flip-flops or bikinis, or more sophisticated finishes like micro-suede. Inside are tools including a diamond nail file, cuticle pusher, wood stick and emery board. Replacement accessories also are available.

"My patients regularly look at me in stunned disbelief when I tell them they most likely got that painful skin infection or unsightly yellow nail infection during their last trip to the nail salon," says Carolyn L. Siegel in a press release.

Pennsylvania has regulations in place to prevent shop-acquired infections. For example, any person licensed to give manicures in Pennsylvania can refuse to serve clients believed to have an infectious, contagious or communicable disease, unless the client can produce a doctor's certification to the contrary. In addition, any instrument that comes into contact with a customer must be sanitized after each use.

Infections can be acquired through the use of unclean instruments, and risk rises if the skin around a nail is broken. To prevent transmission of blood-borne infections, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 1985 issued sanitary guidelines for salons, and to date there have been no reported cases of blood-borne disease transmission from a personal services worker.

If you're interested in Dr. Siegal's kit, it's available online for $49.99 at www.clshealthyfeet.com.

FREEBIE ALERT: If you'd like a chance to win this kit, please send a postcard with your name, address and daytime phone to Your Health, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 34 Blvd. of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, postmarked by Dec. 6. We'll hold a drawing and notify the winner.