Thread: hygene and straight razors

First of all, "sterilization" means killing or rendering non-viable every type of microorganism, including spores. This implies a harsh treatment. "Disinfecting" is more likely what's needed, but this is specific to particular pathogenic agents. "Barbercide" is not a sterilant, nor is alcohol.

The important thing is to focus on critical hazards (those likely to occur). Honing, stropping and even wiping or washing a blade will reduce microorganisms by a level similar to that of disinfectants, if the blade is in good condition and free from rust and pitting. But, even then, if pathogenic microorganisms are not dislodged by such mechanical action, what is the likelihood you will transfer them by shaving?

What are the critical hazards? Viruses such as hepatitis A-E or HIV do not survive long periods in dry environments, so they are not likely to occur on a used razor purchase. (They are an issue in barber shops, where a razor is reused immediately.) S. aureus is hardy, and can survive in a dry environment. Spores can survive indefinitely, but are not likely to be present if the blade is rust free and newly honed and stropped. Clostridia spores are most likely, as they are ubiquitous in the environment.

I'd recommend for a used razor purchase:

1. Repair the blade to remove rust and pitting.
2. Hone to a clean bevel edge, and strop.
3. Wash the blade with soap and water using a toothbrush.
4. Dip the blade into boiling water for at least one minute (5 minutes, if you're paranoid).
5. Cool, and wipe dry.
6. [OPTIONAL] Immerse blade for 2 minutes in a solution of 1 tspn (5 mL) chlorine bleach (6%) plus 1 tspn (5 mL) white vinegar (5-6%) in 1 Qt (1 L) water.

Steps 1-3 will remove contaminating spores, which are not attached by biofilms.

Step 4 will kill any viruses or vegetative cells present.

Step 5 will also be helpful in removing contamination.

Step 6 will kill any spores or vegetative cells, and denature viruses. Chlorine will discolor and corrode even stainless steel, so don't leave the blade too long in the solution.

It is wise to carry out steps 1-5 periodically (monthly?) on your razors, as your most likely risk of infection is not the previous owner but your own spreading of skin pathogens you pick up from yourself. This would be where "Barbercide" would be useful. Other useful disinfectants are tea tree or rosemary oils.

1. East Mediterr Health J. 2010 Jan;16(1):10-7.
Hepatitis B and C viral infection: prevalence, knowledge, attitude and practice among barbers and clients in Gharbia governorate, Egypt.
Shalaby S, Kabbash IA, El Saleet G, Mansour N, Omar A, El Nawawy A.
Department of Public Health, Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Tanta, Tanta, Egypt. shalabys@gmail.com [corrected]

Erratum in:
East Mediterr Health J. 2010 Mar;16(3):280.

A study in Egypt determined the prevalence of hepatitis B and C virus infections among barbers (n = 308) and their clients (n = 308) in Gharbia governorate, and assessed knowledge, attitude and practices during hair-cutting and shaving. HBsAg was detected among 4.2% of barbers and 3.9% of clients (more urban than rural). Anti-HC antibodies were detected in 12.3% of barbers and 12.7% of clients. HCV-RNA prevalence was 9.1% among both barbers and clients (more rural than urban). Knowledge was high among the majority of participants and good practices during shaving and hair-cutting were observed for the majority of barbers. Barbers appeared to have no job-related risk of acquiring viral hepatitis.


2. S Afr Med J. 2005 Feb;95(2):94, 96.
Barber shaving and blood-borne disease transmission in developing countries.
Khaliq AA, Smego RA.
Department of Health Policy and Administration, College of Public Health,
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, USA.


3. Travel Med Infect Dis. 2009 Jul;7(4):239-46. Epub 2008 Nov 21.
Hazards of hepatitis at the Hajj.
Rafiq SM, Rashid H, Haworth E, Booy R.
Unit of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, KT18 7EG, Surrey, UK.

While an increased risk of hepatitis is associated with travel, the risk of
hepatitis associated with the Islamic Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia has not been carefully quantified. Conditions unique to this gathering can pose the risk of both enteral and parenteral viral hepatitis. During this congregation, pilgrims stay in tents shared by 100 or more people often living on foods from street vendors and sharing common toilet facilities that can expose them to both hepatitis A and E. To mark the end of the festival, head shaving or trimming by fellow pilgrims or street barbers, who often re-use their razor may expose them to hepatitis B or C. Pilgrims are also at risk of cuts to the hands and feet while sacrificing cattle and walking barefooted, which may further increase the risk of parenteral viral hepatitis. Emerging diseases such as Alkhumra virus and Rift Valley fever, which may cause hepatitis, are also potentially important for the Hajj pilgrims. Improved health education to increase awareness about the risk
of these diseases and appropriate immunisations, particularly hepatitis A and B vaccines, could play an important role.


4. East Afr Med J. 2007 Feb;84(2):83-7.
Nosocomial infection in a Nigerian rural maternity centre: a series of nine cases.
Okezie OA, Onyemelukwe NF.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Nigeria Teaching
Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: An outbreak of urinary tract infection in a rural maternity hospital near Enugu, Nigeria led to bacteriological assessment which identified Serratia marcescens as the causative organism. An epidemiological investigation was done to trace the source of this organism. OBJECTIVE: To investigate an outbreak of urinary tract infection in a rural maternity centre. DESIGN: A descriptive study. SETTING: Maternity centre in a rural community near Enugu run by local midwives
assisted by auxiliary nurses trained by the midwives. SUBJECTS: Nine patients at term with symptoms of urinary tract infection. RESULTS: In all nine cases, the pigmented form of Serratia marcescens was found to be the cause of the urinary tract infection and the source of this organism was traced to the auxillary nurse who shaved the patients and the instrument she used. CONCLUSION: Since the causative organism of the outbreak of urinary infection in these women was traced to the shaving instruments used and the fingers of the auxillary nurse who shaved them, there is the need for better hygiene practices in the health centre and the
use of properly trained staff to attend to pregnant and parturient women. It is recommended that the practice of shaving parturient women should be discarded.


5. P. Skinmed. 2005 May-Jun;4(3):186-7.
Case study: inoculation herpes barbae.
Parlette EC, Polo JM.
Naval Hospital, Okinawa, Japan. ecparlette@hotmail.com

A 21-year-old white man in otherwise excellent general health was referred for a painful, progressive, facial eruption with associated fever, malaise, and cervicofacial lymphadenopathy. The patient reported that a vesicular eruption progressed from the left side of his face to also involve the right side of his face over the 48 hours preceding his clinic visit. He also reported some lesions in his throat and the back of his mouth causing pain and difficulty swallowing. Four to 7 days before presentation to us, the patient noted exposure to his girlfriend's cold sore. Additionally, he complained of a personal history of cold sores, but had no recent outbreaks. Physical examination revealed a somewhat ill man with numerous vesicles and donut-shaped, 2-4 mm, crusted erosions
predominantly on the left side of the bearded facial skin. There were fewer, but similar-appearing lesions, on the right-bearded skin. The lesions appeared folliculocentric (Figure). Cervical and submandibular lymphadenopathy was present. Oral exam showed shallow erosions on the tonsillar pillars and soft palate. Genital examination was normal. The remainder of the physical exam was unremarkable. A Tzanck smear of vesicular lesions was positive for balloon cells and many multinucleated giant cells with nuclear molding. A viral culture was performed which, in several days, came back positive for herpes simplex virus. The complete blood cell count documented a white blood cell count of 8000/mm3
with 82.6% neutrophils and 9.0% lymphocytes. Based on the clinical presentation and the positive Tzanck smear, the patient was diagnosed with herpes simplex barbae, most likely spread by shaving. The patient was started on acyclovir 200 mg p.o. five times daily for 10 days. Oxycodone 5 mg in addition to acetaminophen 325 mg (Percocet; Endo Pharmaceuticals, Chadds Ford, PA) was prescribed for pain relief. A 1:1:1 suspension of viscous lidocaine (Xylocaine; AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Wilmington, DE), diphenhydramine (Benadryl; Pfizer Inc., New York, NY), and attapulgite (Kaopectate; Pfizer Inc., New York, NY) was given as a
swish and spit to relieve the oral discomfort. Good hygiene, no skin-to-skin
contact with others, and no further shaving to prevent autoinoculation were stressed. He was advised to discard his old razor.


6. J Clin Microbiol. 1987 Jul;25(7):1298-300.
Epidemic outbreak of Serratia marcescens infection in a cardiac surgery unit.
Wilhelmi I, Bernaldo de Quirós JC, Romero-Vivas J, Duarte J, Rojo E, Bouza E.

Between 2 February and 16 April 1985, an outbreak of Serratia marcescens
infection involving 10 male patients occurred in a cardiac surgery unit. All the patients had surgical wound infection, five also had osteomyelitis (four sternal, one costal), and another had peritonitis secondary to peritoneal dialysis. Three patients had concomitant bacteremia. All Serratia strains isolated produced a cherry-red pigment, and all had the same biochemical and antibiotic susceptibility pattern. An intensive search for the origin of the outbreak was initially unsuccessful, and it proved impossible to isolate S. marcescens from cultures of numerous samples taken from hospital personnel and from the environment. The fact that all patients were male and had been shaved for surgery by the same team of barbers led us to investigate the shaving procedures. We finally isolated a strain of pigmented S. marcescens, corresponding to that involved in the outbreak, from samples taken from the hands and equipment of the barbers. After suitable action had been taken, the epidemic terminated.

From King Research Website, makers of Barbicide:
Our hospital-grade disinfectants are EPA-approved, OSHA-compliant bactericidal, fungicidal, virucidal, and some products are tuberculocidal. All disinfection products are effective against staph, herpes, influenza (including H1N1), salmonella, HIV-1, Hepatitis B (HBV) & C (HBC), MRSA, VRE and more. Barbicide® Plus and Barbicide® Wipes are also effective against the bacteria that cause Tuberculosis.
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Alethephant
Thank you for the informative article I think that pretty much puts that question to bed , now if i can just get the wife to read it.

ezpz
When I bought razors and wasn't sure how long it had been since they were used I bought a bottle of barbicide. Go talk to a local barber, and get them to get you a bottle, or enough to sterilize your blade in.

Thats a great Idea but as I live in china sadly it isnt an option I have yet to see a Barber shop as we in the west know( the guys with straight razors just set up shop on the street) them but those who have traveled in this part of the world know barber shops to provide a happy ending or two.

danbrew No full treatment for you?? come on man

Originally Posted by ezpz

When I bought razors and wasn't sure how long it had been since they were used I bought a bottle of barbicide. Go talk to a local barber, and get them to get you a bottle, or enough to sterilize your blade in.

"Barbicide" is available from sellers on Amazon and eBay, for reasonable prices. There's an anti-rust version, as well as the traditional stuff.

Charles