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can you get Hep C by razor irritation and small cuts from a barber shop?
Today I went to a barber shop, were this incredibly rough guy gave me a painful haircut and shaved me with a serious of machines including razors. I didn't notice if he used a new razor. I am scared now because of that because I have a small cut and a line of irritation. I would hate having my life ruined because if that douche. He used a shaving machine too. I dont know if my skin alteration was from the shaving machine or the razor.
Transmitting HCV from razors is very possible. Considering that the virus is very resiliant and can live on surfaces up to 4 days at room temp. There are many barber shops that dont sterlize they implements. And even if they do a lot of what they use to sterlize can't kill the HCV.
Sharing razors and toothbrushes are at the top of the list as ways of transmitting the disease. # 1 of course is sharing syringes.
Sharing razors and toothbrushes are at the top of the list as ways of transmitting the disease. # 1 of course is sharing syringes.
Welcome new member. It's natural to get scared and or worried when you encounter the potential of catching an infectious disease. Fortunately the risk of HCV from a salon or other low risk exposures is very small. After gaining some knowledge about the risks that are low, to extremely low or none most people can go on with their life Like the risk of getting killed in a car accident to an earthquake or a meteor.
Another good thing in the low to rare chance that you do get HCV. It usually takes many years to cause serious damage. Many of us have had it for 30 to 40+years but unfortunately quite a few haven't been as lucky. The numbers of those who no longer have the active virus because of treatment is growing for some that are here. The new methods of treatment being approved over the next couple of years will have a very high chance of getting rid of HCV Hopefully for many us who failed previous treatment or will get treatment for the first time..
If you are still worried talk to your doctor as they are the only ones who can provide specific medical advice for your medical condition. They may suggest an inexpensive test about 3 month after potential exposure the Anti-HCV antibody test which is about $60 in the US. Still worried you can ask for another test 6 months after that one. It usually takes 2 to 3 months after exposure to show but in rare cases 6+ months. Google this test for more info.
If you have a HIGH risk exposure HCV Blood direct to your Blood talk to your doctor. If you experience any medical problems that you would normally see your doctor ASAP or call 911 do so. Most likely you have some other urgent care needed.
Since HCV is a blood-borne virus, it can – at least in theory – be transmitted by contaminated personal items such as razors or nail care equipment
http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/factsheets_pdf/personal%20care.pdf
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Potentially, Hepatitis C could be spread through equipment used by hairdressers and barbers.
Scissors, razors and clippers can cut, nick or graze the skin, enough to draw blood. If equipment is unsterilised between customers, there is a very small chance that infected blood from razors or clippers could enter the bloodstream of another person.
It's important to stress that the risk of contracting Hepatitis C from a hair cut is absolutely minimal.
The vast majority of salons take health and safety very seriously, and use sterilisers. It is fair to say however, that not all hairdressers and barbers are aware of the risks, however small.
Using hairdressers and barbers while travelling is not without its' risks. There is evidence that razors, clippers and other associated equipment that are not effectively cleaned are linked to higher rates of infection.
http://www.hepatitisscotlandc.org.uk/living-with-hep-c/preventing-giving-hep-c-to-others/hairdressers-and-barbers.aspx
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Your risk of HCV or HIV are very low The risk of other infectious diseases could be higher
some suggestion gathered from the web
If the shop is clearly dirty, leave. If the “tools of the trade” look dirty or messy, leave. This applies to both hair and nail salons or barbershops.
So next time you step into your neighborhood nail or hair salon or barbers shop, take a look around and make sure you are satisfied with the conditions. There are some form of infection control and disinfection practices in place, but are they being followed? You might just have to ask!
Many shops will maintain personal nail care tools for individual customers. This is the way to go – whether you bring in your own tools or store them at the shop.
Nail and hair salons can spread fungal infections. Because the fungi that cause nail infections can be spread by contaminated instruments such as scissors, nail files, and razors, it is important to frequent only those nail and hair salons that have the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene. Instruments should be properly sterilized between uses on different clients. Good hand washing habits are as important as in a doctor’s office.
NOTE: This is public forum and quite a few new members are asking similar questions So third-party search engines like Google will tend to bring posts towards the top of the results list. If you haven already read the small print at the bottom of every page at this site please do so.
I wish the best for all of us.
Another good thing in the low to rare chance that you do get HCV. It usually takes many years to cause serious damage. Many of us have had it for 30 to 40+years but unfortunately quite a few haven't been as lucky. The numbers of those who no longer have the active virus because of treatment is growing for some that are here. The new methods of treatment being approved over the next couple of years will have a very high chance of getting rid of HCV Hopefully for many us who failed previous treatment or will get treatment for the first time..
If you are still worried talk to your doctor as they are the only ones who can provide specific medical advice for your medical condition. They may suggest an inexpensive test about 3 month after potential exposure the Anti-HCV antibody test which is about $60 in the US. Still worried you can ask for another test 6 months after that one. It usually takes 2 to 3 months after exposure to show but in rare cases 6+ months. Google this test for more info.
If you have a HIGH risk exposure HCV Blood direct to your Blood talk to your doctor. If you experience any medical problems that you would normally see your doctor ASAP or call 911 do so. Most likely you have some other urgent care needed.
Since HCV is a blood-borne virus, it can – at least in theory – be transmitted by contaminated personal items such as razors or nail care equipment
http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/factsheets_pdf/personal%20care.pdf
_______________________________
Potentially, Hepatitis C could be spread through equipment used by hairdressers and barbers.
Scissors, razors and clippers can cut, nick or graze the skin, enough to draw blood. If equipment is unsterilised between customers, there is a very small chance that infected blood from razors or clippers could enter the bloodstream of another person.
It's important to stress that the risk of contracting Hepatitis C from a hair cut is absolutely minimal.
The vast majority of salons take health and safety very seriously, and use sterilisers. It is fair to say however, that not all hairdressers and barbers are aware of the risks, however small.
Using hairdressers and barbers while travelling is not without its' risks. There is evidence that razors, clippers and other associated equipment that are not effectively cleaned are linked to higher rates of infection.
http://www.hepatitisscotlandc.org.uk/living-with-hep-c/preventing-giving-hep-c-to-others/hairdressers-and-barbers.aspx
_______________________________
Your risk of HCV or HIV are very low The risk of other infectious diseases could be higher
some suggestion gathered from the web
If the shop is clearly dirty, leave. If the “tools of the trade” look dirty or messy, leave. This applies to both hair and nail salons or barbershops.
So next time you step into your neighborhood nail or hair salon or barbers shop, take a look around and make sure you are satisfied with the conditions. There are some form of infection control and disinfection practices in place, but are they being followed? You might just have to ask!
Many shops will maintain personal nail care tools for individual customers. This is the way to go – whether you bring in your own tools or store them at the shop.
Nail and hair salons can spread fungal infections. Because the fungi that cause nail infections can be spread by contaminated instruments such as scissors, nail files, and razors, it is important to frequent only those nail and hair salons that have the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene. Instruments should be properly sterilized between uses on different clients. Good hand washing habits are as important as in a doctor’s office.
NOTE: This is public forum and quite a few new members are asking similar questions So third-party search engines like Google will tend to bring posts towards the top of the results list. If you haven already read the small print at the bottom of every page at this site please do so.
I wish the best for all of us.
Theoretically, the virus could be transmitted if that particular razor had not been sterilized AND it had recently been in contact with someone's blood who's infected with HCV AND if you had, in fact, been cut by the razor.
Nobody here can tell you if you've been infected, and it's easy to go down a road of despair. So, the first thing I'd recommend doing is to go back to the barber and ask the owner or manager (hopefully not the rough guy) if they have some sort of sterilization practices in place, in terms of their razors. I would think (hope) that any reputable shop would engage in proper sterilization techniques to protect their clientele.
Good luck and try not to make yourself nuts with worry.
Nobody here can tell you if you've been infected, and it's easy to go down a road of despair. So, the first thing I'd recommend doing is to go back to the barber and ask the owner or manager (hopefully not the rough guy) if they have some sort of sterilization practices in place, in terms of their razors. I would think (hope) that any reputable shop would engage in proper sterilization techniques to protect their clientele.
Good luck and try not to make yourself nuts with worry.
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