Scared after son nicked during haircut

[monicaperez]

About a month ago, I took DS to get a haircut. The woman cut him with the buzzer which broke the skin. I immediately freaked out especially because she told me the buzzer isn’t sterilized after every client.



I’m so worried about possible hepatitis b or c transmission because what if someone was cut before him? I read that hepatitis can live outside the body for up to 4 days and items need to be properly sterilized for hepatits to not be present.



Everyone I’ve asked thinks I’m nuts for worrying about this because the odds are incredibly slim.



Have your kids ever been cut during a haircut?


Would you be worried if this had happened to you?



I’m thinking about getting LO tested in a few months just so I can stop this persistent worry.



Am I really being crazy?

 

[Caroline723]

Yes, get him tested right away, and also contact your local public health office to report the business.

 

[IvanHR]

As Caroline said, get him tested right away (don’t wait a few months). I’m however pretty optimistic that he’ll be fine and I recommend everyone to pray for you son.

 

[styrgwillidar]

Get him tested to alleviate your stress/worry in addition to early treatment in the unlikely event your son was infected with something.

However, I’ve been cut several times getting haircuts and never contracted anything if that’s any consolation.

 

[anruari]

I think the risk of infection is probably low, but to set your mind at ease get your son tested for all possible blood borne infections ASAP, and again at a recommended interval. An infection which occurred in the past couple of days would be unlikely to give a positive result now, so an immediate negative result would prove your son is “Clean”. A test taken in 3 - 6 months which then tested positive would give a strong indication of the time period in which an infection took place.

I would suggest to the hair dresser, that while some less expensive clippers have permanent, non removable blades and are difficult to sterilise, proper professional clippers from Andis and Oster have Removable blades which can be sterilised, sharpened and maintained separately from the power unit.
I have an Andis clipper for my dog, and have 2 sets of blades (different sizes).

Yes these clippers are more expensive. (the blades cost about the same as a complete Whal clipper, and the base unit is 5 - 10 times the cost of a simple Whal clipper), but you’re talking about a professional environment and public health.

 

[EasterJoy]

Yes, get him tested right away, and also contact your local public health office to report the business.

Yes, the only cause for concern is the business’ admission that they don’t use good hygiene techniques. It is a good idea to call the local health office, because they need to educate this business. The chances that your child were infected were low, but there is no reason the risk of getting an infection at that business shouldn’t be zero.

 

[PaulGH]

I would say that you are over-worrying. It wouldn’t hurt to have him tested though.

 

[1love]

Maybe you’re being overly cautious, but if there are no harmful side effects from testing itself, go for it. Depending on how you feel, you might consider writing a letter to the management of the place where your son was nicked, and request compensation for whatever charges you will incur at the doctor’s office (or at least a discounted or free haircut in the future).

My son has been nicked during a haircut and was fine. This was at least a year ago. I hope everything turns out okay.

 

[nodito]

Even if it’s not sterilized after every client, it is possible that it’s sterilized if/when they nick someone.

I think the odds of him contracting anything are slim, but get him tested for your peace of mind.

 

[Xantippe]

Hepatitis B is one of the vaccinated-against illnesses. Little babies get the shot for it in the US now.

You can talk to your pediatrician’s office if you have concerns.

 

[Country_Gal]

I am a nurse and had a needle stick from a Hep C positive patient while trying to start an IV. I understand your anxiety. I didn’t get Hep C thankfully.

I would contact your Doctor’s office immediately for advise. I do think there is only a minuscule chance of infection, at most. As usual you take a greater risk driving to the store than him contracting a bloodborne disease in this manner.

 

[Rau]

About a month ago, I took DS to get a haircut. The woman cut him with the buzzer which broke the skin. I immediately freaked out especially because she told me the buzzer isn’t sterilized after every client.

Was the business a ladies hairdressing salon, or a (men’s) barber?

By “buzzer” do you mean a mains powered set of clippers, or a small battery powered unit?

I’ve never seen a set of clippers sterilised, only combs. It does seem incongruous to sterilise one and not the other!

 

[BettyBoop416]

*Have your kids ever been cut during a haircut? *

None of the kids that I know of. DH was nicked by a barber on the base once. I’d have never known about it if I hadn’t been sitting there waiting for him. I’m trying to imagine the scene if he had “freaked out.”

*Would you be worried if this had happened to you? *

I wouldn’t give it a second thought.

I’m thinking about getting LO tested in a few months just so I can stop this persistent worry.

If it makes you feel better, go for it.

Am I really being crazy?

Crazy? No, it’s natural to worry about your kids. But honestly, this is a bit over the top.

 

[BettyBoop416]

Yes, get him tested right away, and also contact your local public health office to report the business.

And call the CDC. They may want to put the injured lad in isolation and quarantine the rest of the town - just for good measure.

 

[Rau]

And call the CDC. They may want to put the injured lad in isolation and quarantine the rest of the town - just for good measure.

I was also curious about the suggestion to “report the business”. What transgression did they commit?

 

[Gordon_Sims]

I was also curious about the suggestion to “report the business”. What transgression did they commit?

If local regulations require certain equipment to be sterilized between customers then they violated that. I have no clue what the regulations are around here, although I did have a hairdresser tell me once (I just don’t remember what she told me). I do know that a local barber shop was shut down for not sterilizing straight razors between uses.