PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) – An employee failed to wear gloves while giving a customer a set of acrylic nails, and the customer contracted herpes, according to a complaint filed Monday in Multnomah County Court.
A 31-year-old Multnomah County woman went to PDX Nails on Northeast Glisan Street for a walk-in appointment in August 2025, according to court documents.
When treating acrylic nails, a drill bit and other instruments were used, as well as hand massage using lotion or oil. The next day, the woman began to feel an unusual burning and tingling sensation on her right hand and little finger.
The next day, she had an itchy, fluid-filled blister on her hand.
According to the lawsuit, when she went to the doctor 11 days after the procedure, they took samples and told her they believed the infection was caused by the herpes simplex 2 virus.
She was warned she might have more blisters, and a follow-up test in September 2025 confirmed it was a herpes infection. There is no cure for this strain of herpes and the woman should continue to monitor for outbreaks.
The lawsuit claims the woman did not have herpes before getting her nails done.
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It also alleges that a state investigation found in 2021 that PDX Nails failed to disinfect used tools, specifically “used drill bits at the workstation.”
The investigation also found that the company did not properly clean the foot spa equipment.
The lawsuit was filed by attorney Amity Girt and seeks $2.5 million in damages.
The suit names PDX Nails LLC as well as the Oregon Health Authority and the Health Licensing Office.
The suit alleges the state put other customers at risk by failing to suspend the revocation or refusing to issue a renewed license to PDX Nails after another infection was reported in 2023.
Girt is the same lawyer who sued PDX Nails in 2024 for nearly $2 million, alleging a very similar issue.
Another woman went to the same location in 2023 for a manicure and noticed infection and inflammation and was diagnosed with the same strain of herpes.
The case was dismissed in 2025 due to a confidential settlement according to court records.
The Oregon Health Authority responded by saying it cannot comment on pending litigation.
PDX Nails did not respond with a statement at the lawsuit.
Gn Health
