Hairdressers and barbers
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.
My colleague and I were visiting salons to inform hairdressers
and barbers about the potential of transmission through equipment.
When we asked one barber to show us the precautions he took to
prevent infection, he showed us his insurance documents!
Moira Washington, Manager, C-Level (Prevention & Support) www.c-level.org.uk
It's important to stress that the risk of contracting Hepatitis
C from a hair cut is absolutely minimal, especially in
countries like the UK, where the disease is less common. The vast
majority of salons take health and safety very seriously, and use
sterilisers. They are highly trained so it's doubtful they would
ever cut a client. It is fair to say however, that not all
hairdressers and barbers are aware of the risks, however small.