Dr. Basti Bharatesh Devendra
Dermatology
The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.
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Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Today I visited the unisex saloon shop near my house. This is my regular saloon which I visit for haircuts and shaving. The barber changed a new blade and was shaving me. After some time I felt a sharp pain on my face and found that the barber had cut my face a little bit. I have attached the picture for your reference. There was a little bit of blood from the cut which the barbar wiped with his bare hands, not sure if he had any open wounds on his hands at that moment. After coming back home when I washed my face, l felt burning sensation from the cut. I would like to know if this is a high risk for HIV inflection? Should I get any HIV testing performed for this incident? Does this incident requires a HIV screening test? Should I take any PrEP (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis) course for this incident? Are there any cases reported from blade cuts from saloon shops? Are these types of cut injury from saloon shop common? How to get out of this HIV phobia? Please advise if I am overacting or overthinking of this whole incident?
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
From the images attached (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity), if a new blade was used, you need not worry about HIV. The chances of transmission of HIV are nil. There is no need for PrEP in your scenario. There are chances of HIV transmission by using reused blades. Cases are very few as now all use fresh bladed. Just relax. Forget the episode. Get involved in activities of your interest. Do exercises, yoga, and meditation. If you are still too anxious, consult a psychiatrist for counseling and management.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor for the reply,
Are there any risk for transmission from the barber touching my open cut with his bare hands after shaving and while applying the lotion? If shaving and haircut practice would have been a high risk for HIV then the government or scientific community would have issued a clear warning on the same, right?
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
There are no reports of such modes of transmission. So do not worry about such situations. Do not get more anxious on this issue.
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Dermatology
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