Is my barber spreading more than just gossip?

[Gecko123]

If had chicken pox as a child you have the virus for life.

This is my understanding as well. As I had chicken pox as a child, I think I can rule out that I got this from my barber.

But the hygiene issue remains. If I had an outbreak at my hairline, isn't it possible that it could be transmitted to another customer who has never had chicken pox? The larger issue is barber shop hygiene in general, i.e., head lice, cooties, etc.

Now that I think about it, I'm not so sure if barbershop hygiene back home was that much better.

Edited January 20, 2016 by Gecko123

[Gillyflower]

I agree with BuaBS. f you had shingles you will be in great pain. I had it in CM 2 years ago, and it lasted for 3 months. When the effect of the medecine wore off and I had to wait for the next lot, I was in agony. Went to the Ram regularly to see the specialist. It's something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy, or perhaps I would. It can be caused by extreme mental stress, which is how mine started. All due to Thai visa problems.

Edited January 20, 2016 by Gillyflower

[gyrosman]

It could be ring worm and no not a worm but a rash with the heat and sweat itches more . It's weird but it move around your body. You can get a shot and take meds and in most cases it goes away. But, I've bitten and infected in Asia so many times I still have it. Check on internet.

[realenglish1]

You know it sounds like something I had a while ago Went to my local doctor and he told me it was SIA Peepis of the POOOPIS and

if I was to hop around in a circle on one leg 3 times rubbing the top of my head It should go away. Thank god for Thai medicine

Edited January 20, 2016 by realenglish1

[TheCruncher]

I hear what you're saying about maybe nothing will change, but if I stay silent for sure nothing's gonna change.

I think you've been here for a while. Have you ever noticed that anything changed when you advised a Thai something for his own improvement?

Seat belt awareness, sun damage awareness, hazards of drinking lao khao, unhealthiness of palm oil, importance of saving for a rainy day and having goals, importance of education, hazards of drinking rain water, importance of wearing protective equipment when applying pesticides & herbicides, conserving plastic bags, turning off engine at long traffic lights, reducing litter would be examples I can cite from personal observation and experience.

I wonder who applied all those changes you mention after you warned them. It can't be your barber.

[jdlancaster]

I just got back from the doctor. Both the nurse and the doctor immediately diagnosed my rash as herpes zoster.

While my rash is nowhere near as severe, its characteristics are very similar to the below downloaded image of herpes zoster.

29533tn.jpg

According to both my doctor and the website http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1132465-overview#a3 it is entirely possible for this virus to be transmitted through barbering tools.

I can't say for sure whether I picked this virus up at the barber but going forward I am definitely going to pay more attention to this and plan to discuss this with him on my next visit. I'm also giving serious consideration to buying a pair of clippers and having my wife cut my hair.

Do not go and tell the barber it is his fault. You may indeed have Herpes Zoster without pain. The virus is dormant in in your nerve cells, and depending on where it is re-activated(not skin, which nerve) you may experience extreme pain, or nothing really. The virus may be transmitted through barber tools, but the barber didn't give it to you.... You would be giving it to the barbers tools and then to other people. If anyone comes up with chicken pox from there... you are patient zero. Zoster is very common as you get older... You got this virus a loooooong time ago... likely in your home country. Initial Varicella-Zoster infections give you the chicken pox... not shingles.

[Sutty]

You answered your own question in the OP never been overly impressed with hygiene so why go back in first place. If you went to a cafe which served you in a dirty cup would you go back!!!!!

[dotpoom]

Buying your own clippers sounds like the right thing to do, there is now the possibility of you passing it on to others should you continue going to any barber.

[jdlancaster]

Also, the herpes varicella-zoster virus can only survive for a few hours in the environment except for extreme conditions... then at most a day... (http://macroecointern.dk/pdf-reprints/WaltherEwald2004.pdf) So no point in warning the barber of your infection at this point. Also, I looked up the incubation period of the virus.. and it takes on average10-14 days before symptoms (references may vary).

[Tywais]

BTW, that blue liquid is isopropyl alcohol and used as a disinfectant. I used to go to a mom&pop barber and he had the same but he was quite vigilant with his tools and cleaning them.

[The Deerhunter]

Expecting high hygiene standards at Thai barber shops is unrealistic. I wish I could say paying a lot more guarantees better, but it doesn't.

It's similar to what goes on in most restaurants here. The awareness and concern is just very low.

I'm afraid I have to agree with you on this.

We have a very talented dentist. Brilliant work, good prices. He can do things with that white porcelain stuff that amaze me. But bare fingers no latex gloves. However unlike your barber I am fairly sure all the tools are sterilized. Fingers crossed.

[Gecko123]

Expecting high hygiene standards at Thai barber shops is unrealistic. I wish I could say paying a lot more guarantees better, but it doesn't.

It's similar to what goes on in most restaurants here. The awareness and concern is just very low.

I'm afraid I have to agree with you on this.

We have a very talented dentist. Brilliant work, good prices. He can do things with that white porcelain stuff that amaze me. But bare fingers no latex gloves. However unlike your barber I am fairly sure all the tools are sterilized. Fingers crossed.

Don't forget to cross your toes.

[Sutty]

My Mrs is a hair stylist her shop is always clean as are her equipment it's not hard if anywhere you go is dirty do as we do go somewhere else.

[Gecko123]

My Mrs is a hair stylist her shop is always clean as are her equipment it's not hard if anywhere you go is dirty do as we do go somewhere else.

Makes me wonder if the hygiene standards in the beauty shops servicing women aren't better than the men's shops.

[Sutty]

My Mrs is a hair stylist her shop is always clean as are her equipment it's not hard if anywhere you go is dirty do as we do go somewhere else.

Makes me wonder if the hygiene standards in the beauty shops servicing women aren't better than the men's shops.

Mrs runs a unisex salon admitted mostly women but especially weekends a fair few men/boys come in she rekons the teenage boys are more fussy about there hair than women but I digress.

[Shiver]

I would guess that the blue liquid is rubbing alcohol or similar (the blue additive being to stop people drinking it, like they do with methylated spirits.

I don't know much about this kind of condition, but perhaps if you had a spot or a skin break then something might find a way in. If you don't want to risk confrontation complications, then you could start with a disinfect of the skin and scalp as soon as you get home. If you're just having a buzz cut or 1-4 length then home dubbers are okay (but be sure to clean and oil after every use to stop them rusting and getting blunt or clogging up.

Someone recommended to me the other day a Vidal Sasoon rotary style dubbers, which sounded great for de-skilling the operation if you wanted to do it yourself, but then I read reviews on the net and there were a lot of bad ones, suggesting that depending on the shape of your head, you can get variable length cut unless you have a very uniform shaped skull, since the device it quite large diameter, and conventional dubbers were still the better option.

[sead]

Yeah. Disinfection in Thailand. Oh cmon.

Same as those making pankakes , on their phones all the times and picking nose. Customer comes and he starts with the doe without washing/wiping hes hands haha.

Edited January 20, 2016 by sead

[Stevemercer]

Christ, I never even thought about the prospect of getting a disease or parasite from the barber.

Having a haircut has always been one of those cheap pleasures in Thailand - the barber is never in a hurry cutting your hair, a good shave, ears cleaned out and nose/ear/eyebrow hairs trimmed, a double wash and rinse, and quick shoulder/scalp massage - all for 75 Baht for up to an hour treatment.

Compare that to Australia where the equivalent of 600 - 750 Baht might get you a 5 minute haircut.

[connda]

Well, if Somchai has HIV and gets a shave, and then you get a shave after Somchai, yeah...you may need to worry.

[csabo]

Contracted a form of psoriasis on my scalp, never went there again, bought my own clippers and the wife now takes care of everything.

Straight over the top and wipe with a rag for shine, job done !

Psoriasis was cleared with a steriod cream.

Psoriasis is not contagious Doc.

[csabo]

Well, if Somchai has HIV and gets a shave, and then you get a shave after Somchai, yeah...you may need to worry.

Almost all, certainly my barber and every barber I have been too here uses a fresh blade for every shave. So...um..yeah thats BS.

[bazza40]

I bought electric clippers in Mae Sai for 300 baht. Work very well, can do my own hair and beard because I don't worry about the clip-on combs. My Thai GF helps at the back a bit.

Haven't seen a clean barber shop here, don't expect to.

Just hope I don't need a work permit to cut my own hair.

[Dumbastheycome]

Consider some things less dramatic. Head lice or tinea capitis. Both easily transferred to a new host via barbers' tools.

Both easily cured by cheap products from a decent Pharmacy.

Another possible is simple sweat rash/detergent dermititis from clothing that has been insufficiently rinsed or over generously "fabric softened ".

[Dumbastheycome]

I now avoid Thai Massage despite liking. Too often walked out with fleas and even a tick as a passenger. Also had a tick come aboard while in a BKK taxi !

Both are capable of passing several serious infections.

[bangon04]

The barbers in the tourist areas have learned to make a little show about changing out the razor blades in the razor for every new customer.

Probably doesn't get done in the backstreets though.....

[HerbalEd]

I just got back from the doctor. Both the nurse and the doctor immediately diagnosed my rash as herpes zoster.

While my rash is nowhere near as severe, its characteristics are very similar to the below downloaded image of herpes zoster.

29533tn.jpg

According to both my doctor and the website http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1132465-overview#a3 it is entirely possible for this virus to be transmitted through barbering tools.

I can't say for sure whether I picked this virus up at the barber but going forward I am definitely going to pay more attention to this and plan to discuss this with him on my next visit. I'm also giving serious consideration to buying a pair of clippers and having my wife cut my hair.

The herpes were most likely from the barber shop. I would never in a million years go back to that barber ... or I would take my own disinfected scissors, clippers, comb, etc. to the shop for him to use.

Herpes are forever.

[cyberfarang]

Expecting high hygiene standards at Thai barber shops is unrealistic. I wish I could say paying a lot more guarantees better, but it doesn't.

It's similar to what goes on in most restaurants here. The awareness and concern is just very low.

I'm afraid I have to agree with you on this.

I go to what we used to call in England, a gentleman barber. He insists that customers remove their shoes when entering his saloon, but he never sweeps away the hair cut from his previous customers and found myself walking bare foot in the hair. On my second visit I wore socks under my shoes. Then he uses a cut throat razor on my sideburns and as yet have not seen him actually put a new blade in his razor handle or ever seen him clean his instruments. He always cuts my hair perfectly after having some dreadful bodge jobs from other barbers, he`s a real professional hairdresser and never rips me off, but his hygiene is practically non existent.

As times I enjoy to go for a foot massage and noticed that the staff never wash their hands when continuing from one customer to another. So if a customer has foot calluses or Hong Kong foot this is going to be spread like wild fire by the hands of the staff. It`s the same when we go for massages and even with dentists I am always hoping that there instruments, especially injections have been properly sterilised. And of course in restaurants, we never really know what goes on in their kitchens. We have our drinking water delivered, yet no one knows where it comes from or if it`s filtered properly.

So far since living in Thailand I`ve been lucky, but how can we be certain that these services are safe practices and if we do before ill or infected from poor hygiene standards, who we gonna call, Ghost busters?

Edited January 20, 2016 by cyberfarang

[Gecko123]

I just got back from the doctor. Both the nurse and the doctor immediately diagnosed my rash as herpes zoster.

While my rash is nowhere near as severe, its characteristics are very similar to the below downloaded image of herpes zoster.

29533tn.jpg

According to both my doctor and the website http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1132465-overview#a3 it is entirely possible for this virus to be transmitted through barbering tools.

I can't say for sure whether I picked this virus up at the barber but going forward I am definitely going to pay more attention to this and plan to discuss this with him on my next visit. I'm also giving serious consideration to buying a pair of clippers and having my wife cut my hair.

The herpes were most likely from the barber shop. I would never in a million years go back to that barber ... or I would take my own disinfected scissors, clippers, comb, etc. to the shop for him to use.

Herpes are forever.

I believe my rash was caused by the common HSV-1 virus which causes chicken pox and cold sores. Once you catch this virus it lays dormant in your body and can sometimes reactivate as you get older or if your immune system weakens. As I had chicken pox as a child, I have already been exposed to this virus, and I don't believe it is possible to recatch the virus once you've already been exposed.

There may be some confusion between the HSV-1 virus and the HSV-2 virus which causes most cases of genital herpes. The below article may be helpful.

https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/contagious-skin-diseases/herpes-simplex

Edited January 20, 2016 by Gecko123

[Farang99]

I had this problem with the first (and only) barber I went to - a painful rash on the back of my neck. Now my wife (a former hairdresser) cuts my hair!

[Doc46]

Contracted a form of psoriasis on my scalp, never went there again, bought my own clippers and the wife now takes care of everything.

Straight over the top and wipe with a rag for shine, job done !

Psoriasis was cleared with a steriod cream.

Same here ,clippers at home, ((: