Transmission Risk From Battery Powered Nose Hair Trimmer

[Mel4578]

TEAK helped me greatly with a similar question to this a few days ago and I wanted to re-confirm with you regarding three questions:

#1... Is there any risk of getting HIV to me while using a battery powered nose hair trimmer/clipper, that cut anywhere inside my nose and caused bleeding inside my nose, if the same nose hair trimmer/clipper had been used by another person assumed to be HIV positive that also cut anywhere inside their nose while using the trimmer/clipper and got their blood or other bodily fluids on the nose hair trimmer/clipper blades or anywhere else on the nose hair trimmer/clipper before I used the same nose hair trimmer/clipper?

#2...Would there be any risk to getting HIV from the potential bodily fluids and blood left by the person assumed to be HIV positive on that same nose hair clipper/trimmer from the spray generated by that same nose hair trimmer/clipper into my eyes, mouth or through any other openings or cuts on my body while I used it to trim/cut my eyebrows, moustache and other areas on my body?

#3...Would the risk change at all for question  #1 and #2 based on the amount of time that  passed between when the person assumed to be HIV positive used the nose hair clipper/trimmer and when I used the same nose hair clipper/trimmer?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our Forum.  I will try to help.  As you might imagine, there are no scientific data to help answer this question so my comments will be based on related information which I will extrapolate from.  Before I do, might I ask if you share a nose hair clipper with another person and, if so, have you actually cut yourself using one?  Typically these devices are designed to not cut the users.

While theoretical concerns about possible transmission of HIV through cuts sustained in the process of barbering are mentioned by the CDC, neither of us on this Forum has ever seen or heard of such a case.  Similarly, there are no instances in which HIV has been transmitted by contact with nasal secretions. there are a few instances reported in which HIV may have been spread through sharing straws and other devices for snorting drugs (cocaine) when there is nasal bleeding present.  Even these events are quite rare however.  Thus, I suppose IF you had a bleeding nose from a nose hair clipper cut AND you then cut your own nose AND this occurred within minutes (less than 2-3) of the original cut, it is theoretically possible that transmission might occur.  Such events would however be extraordinarily rare.  

Also, please remember that HIV becomes non-infectious almost immediately upon exposure to the air and temperature outside the body.  Thus the cuts you ask about would need to occur almost one after another- immediately.

I hope these comments are helpful. Personally, I would not recommend sharing nose hair clippers on a hygienic basis but not because I would worry about risk for HIV.  EWH

[Mel4578]

Thank you Dr. Hook. The circumstances I shared were hypothetical in nature. What did occur is that I was given a pair of battery powered nose hair clippers/trimmers to use by a family friend. Before I used it, I poured rubbing alcohol on the clipper/trimmer area while it was running. However, I am not certain how long it had been since the device had been used by someone else.

So, based on the circumstances described that actually occurred, would you recommend testing for HIV?