Aa
nervous mom
Hi Doctor, I'm a woman in my mid forties. I need your advice about something that happened to me yesterday while receiving a manicure. After the manicure was done, the manicurist rubbed lotion on my hands with her hands. I noticed a small amount of blood on a towel that the manicurist handled. She said she was bleeding from a cut on her hand. I have two small cuts on my hand and I'm worried that some blood got into the lotion she applied to my hands. Since no gloves are used, I wanted to know if diseases like AIDS can be spread this way?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your question.
You needn't worry. You are at no significant risk of HIV from this event. First, there would of courswe be a risk only if the manicurist had one of these infections, which is unlikely. Second, the blood would have to still be warm and wet; drying and expousure to air kill the virus. Third, the bloody areas themselves would have to come into direct contact with your wounds. Fourth, those wounds would have to be fresh (still bleeding) themselves; once a wound starts to heal, it is quite well sealed off from viruses, bacteria, etc.
Beyond those biological reasons, there has never once been a reported case of HIV that was acquired from a contaminated environment. For example, among household members of persons with HIV -- sharing the same kitchens, bathrooms, eating utensils, towels, etc with the infected person for years on end -- nobody has caught HIV (assuming they weren't also sex partners of the infected person).
Having said that, I would advise your manicurist to not share her own bloody towels with her customers! But the reason is more esthetics and to avoid worrying people (as you were) than because of actual risk.
So no worries. I hope this has helped. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
You needn't worry. You are at no significant risk of HIV from this event. First, there would of courswe be a risk only if the manicurist had one of these infections, which is unlikely. Second, the blood would have to still be warm and wet; drying and expousure to air kill the virus. Third, the bloody areas themselves would have to come into direct contact with your wounds. Fourth, those wounds would have to be fresh (still bleeding) themselves; once a wound starts to heal, it is quite well sealed off from viruses, bacteria, etc.
Beyond those biological reasons, there has never once been a reported case of HIV that was acquired from a contaminated environment. For example, among household members of persons with HIV -- sharing the same kitchens, bathrooms, eating utensils, towels, etc with the infected person for years on end -- nobody has caught HIV (assuming they weren't also sex partners of the infected person).
Having said that, I would advise your manicurist to not share her own bloody towels with her customers! But the reason is more esthetics and to avoid worrying people (as you were) than because of actual risk.
So no worries. I hope this has helped. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
Thank You Doctor.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Nobody has ever been infected with HIV by even full body massage, let alone by hand contact or via hand lotion. For sure no risk even if the manicurist is infected. Nobdoy ever gets HIV without the standard sexual or direct blood exposure risks, like sharing needles for drug injection.
Thank you, so just to put my mind at ease,the lotion applied to my hands,if containing the manicurists blood could not transmit aids?
You are reading content posted in the HIV - Prevention Forum
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
Can I get HIV from surfaces, like toilet seats?
Can you get HIV from casual contact, like hugging?
Frequency of HIV testing depends on your risk.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may help prevent HIV infection.
