Eczema on hand. Please advise.

[zontrex]

Hi,

I have suffered from Eczema all my life but have recently become worried about infection with HIV as I heard recently that it can be contracted if the blood from an HIV infected person enters the blood stream can lead to infection. So I researched the internet and came up with alot of confusing information. I note that some of the Doctors on Medhelp say that Eczema is no risk but I have noted on the Dermatology site that it is a risk please see the following Doctors advice:-   http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Dermatology/eczema-exposure-to-HIV/show/1518735

The reason why I ask this is because last week I sold some gym equipment to a stranger and during which he cut his thumb. It was bleeding and he stroked it across my hand causing me to notice a blood smear on the hand. The same hand had some Eczema crack which I had scratched earlier that same day. My cracks / cuts were not bleeding but one was open a bit causing it to glisten in the light. So I think at some point there could have been a chance while removing the equipment that his thumb could have stroked these cuts / cracks causing some interaction with his blood. The guy sucked his blood off his thumb but I noticed a couple of minutes later that it was still bleeding but not to the stage that it was all over the floor just moderately.

I'm sorry if this is a waste of time but I would like to know for sure if I was at any risk.

Thank you for you time.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the Forum.  There is much misinformation "out there", particularly on the internet.  For HIV to be spread through non-sexual means, the virus must be injected deep into tissue. Surface contamination does not transmit infection, even when there are cracks or sores on the skin surface.  While I guess there is some theoretical risk the fact is that, for practical purposes HIV is not spread this way.  Thus, even if this person has HIV (which is unlikely) there is no risk an no need for testing.  

I hope my comments are helpful. Please do not worry. EWH

[Edward W Hook, MD]

No change in my answer.  Time for you to stop worrying. Enjoy the holiday. EWH

[zontrex]

Hi Doctor, I'm really sorry to come back to this again but one thing has been concerning me which I forgot to mention in my original question and I don't know who else I can ask. About 10 minutes after the contact I washed my hands and dabbed one of the cracks with a piece of white tissue and noticed a small speck of blood. This makes me think that it may have been bleeding a little when contact was made. Does this change your answer? Hope you can answer as this has been concerning me and I apologise for asking you again. This will be my final question I promise.

[zontrex]

Thank you.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

It is time for this thread to end and for you to stop worrying.  No, in the situation you describe the amount does not matter.   EWH

[zontrex]

Hi Doctor,

Can I just ask - would the amount of blood make any difference, as I recall the guy's blood covered his thumb nail so was quite a bit.

Thanks once again.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Correct, this is still too shallow and superficial to represent a risk for infection. Do not worry. EWH

[zontrex]

Hi Doctor, sorry but just one very last question for clarification. One of the cracks was right on the fold a knuckle meaning it could open from time to time and possibly a bit deeper?. Would that mean that it (the tissue wound) was still not deep enough? Thank you.

[zontrex]

Thank you Doctor.