Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Today I visited the unisex salon shop near my house. This is my regular salon, 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, I felt a burning sensation from the cut. I would like to know if this is a high risk for HIV infection?
Should I get any HIV testing performed for this incident? Does this incident require an HIV screening test? Should I take any PrEP (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis) course for this incident?
Have there been any cases of blade cuts in salon shops? Are these types of cut injuries from a salon shop common? How to get out of this HIV phobia? Please advise if I am overacting or overthinking this whole incident. Thank you.
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.
Take care.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor.
Thank you for the reply.
Are there any risks 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 were a high risk for HIV, then the government or scientific community would have issued a clear warning on the same, right?
Please suggest.
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.
Regards.
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Answered byDr. Basti Bharatesh Devendra
Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team
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