Britsch Jakob M, Bereswill Stefan, Heimesaat Markus M
Institute of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Gastrointestinal Microbiology Research Group, Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.
Eur J Microbiol Immunol (Bp). 2024 Nov 22;14(4):366-372. doi: 10.1556/1886.2024.00104. Print 2024 Dec 18.
Barbershops are important venues for men to get their hair and beards done and hence, play an important role in men's social life. But barbershops can also be a source of infections. The barber's profession brings the barber into direct contact with customers who may carry pathogens, and contaminated instruments or skin-to-skin contacts might transmit infectious agents. Since barbers work with non-sterile and reusable sharp objects, a simple nick might facilitate blood-borne infections. In our review article we summarize current knowledge regarding barbershop-acquired infections including transmission routes and preventive measures. In fact, shaving in barbershops, particularly when reusing non-disinfected razor blades increases the transmission risk for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B or C viruses. Furthermore, distinct bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus, fungi (in particular dermatophytic Trichophyton species) as well as ectoparasitic lice could be identified upon screening of the barbers' equipment and working places. However, knowledge regarding and compliance in hygiene practices varied considerably among barbers. Notably, since in certain countries barbershops are venues to contact sex workers, sexually transmitted diseases might also be acquired in barbershops. In conclusion, improving hygiene standards including disinfection of reusable equipment, and surveillance of the preventive measures would reduce the risk for barbershop-acquired infections.
理发店是男性理发和修面的重要场所，因此在男性社交生活中发挥着重要作用。但理发店也可能成为感染源。理发师的职业使他们直接接触可能携带病原体的顾客，受污染的工具或皮肤接触可能传播感染源。由于理发师使用非无菌且可重复使用的锐器，一个简单的切口就可能助长血源性感染。在我们的综述文章中，我们总结了关于理发店获得性感染的现有知识，包括传播途径和预防措施。事实上，在理发店剃须，尤其是重复使用未消毒的剃须刀片会增加感染人类免疫缺陷病毒（HIV）、乙型或丙型肝炎病毒的风险。此外，在对理发师的设备和工作场所进行筛查时，可发现金黄色葡萄球菌等特定细菌、真菌（特别是皮肤癣菌属）以及体外寄生虫虱子。然而，理发师在卫生习惯方面的知识和遵守情况差异很大。值得注意的是，在某些国家，理发店是与性工作者接触的场所，在理发店也可能感染性传播疾病。总之，提高卫生标准，包括对可重复使用设备进行消毒以及对预防措施进行监测，将降低理发店获得性感染的风险。
